The White House paused certain federal grants and loans to review alignment with Trump administration priorities. However, the Department of Education clarified that the freeze will not impact student loans, federal Pell Grants, or financial aid applications for college. The temporary funding pause applies only to discretionary grants, leaving Title IV programs unaffected. Some experts warn the pause could impact campus-based aid, such as federal work-study programs. Higher education leaders criticized the policy, citing uncertainty and potential harm to students and research funding.
