A Department of Education memo in 2021 stated that disbursing Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans “could continue for a very limited time,” but “these operations could also experience some level of disruption due to a lapse” during a shutdown.
Inflation, decreased school endowments and state budget cuts are causing university tuition to rise by up to 9%. As a result, most colleges are choosing to pump up their financial aid packages and scholarship programs to cushion the blow to students.
