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Last night, the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), issued a memo temporarily pausing federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs across agencies. The new administration stated that the temporary pause will provide "time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President’s priorities."
We at Education Forward Arizona are closely analyzing the impact that this pause may pose to students and institutions across the education continuum.
While the exact timeline and extent of the pause are uncertain, we have received guidance from the OMB stating "any program that provides direct benefits to Americans is explicitly excluded from the pause and exempted from the review process," including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Pell Grants, Head Start and other similar programs.
The potential impact on programs including TRIO, GEAR UP, AmeriCorps and Federal Work Study are unknown at this time and we are working with partners to gain further clarity.
Education Forward Arizona is steadfast in advocating for the students, families, and educators who rely on federally-funded essential programs.
We will provide updates, guidance, and actionable steps as new information becomes available. In the meantime, we encourage you to share any concerns or specific challenges your communities are facing with your state and federal elected officials.
Together, we will continue championing equitable access to education and ensure that Arizona’s students and families have access to the support they need to successfully pursue their pathway to a certificate or degree.
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