On the evening of March 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it was reducing its staff by nearly half. We understand that this news may cause concern about how these changes could affect your federal student financial aid.

Impact on aid programs

At this time, the Department of Education has indicated that these staff reductions will not impact federal student financial assistance programs. This means that programs like Pell Grants and federal student loans are expected to continue as usual. According to the Department’s statement, “The Department of Education will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking.”

Steps you can take

If you have concerns or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our financial aid office. We are dedicated to ensuring that your educational journey continues smoothly. Here are some steps students and families can take to ensure continuity in your financial aid eligibility:

• Students can still apply for and receive Pell Grants, federal student loans, and other federal financial aid programs as usual.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) remains open, and applications are being processed normally.
• Continue to monitor official lines of communication such as university communications or the Federal Student Aid website.
• Don’t rely on social media for news or updates without first verifying its accuracy.

Missouri State’s commitment

At Missouri State University, our commitment to supporting our students remains strong. Our financial aid office remains fully staffed and ready to assist our students navigate their financial aid options. We are monitoring the situation closely and will update students and families if any changes occur.