As I am sure most students are aware, the US government entered a shutdown on October 1st, and as of the writing of this article, it has been the third-longest government shutdown in US history. But why did the government shut down in the first place? And what does it mean for college students? According to the BBC, the October 2025 government shutdown happened because Democrats and Republicans in Congress could not agree on how to allocate government funds. Therefore, the government must enter a shutdown period, and funds for “non-essential” government services are withheld. Thousands of people have already been laid off from their federal jobs, while many will stay employed with little or no income until the government is properly funded again.
Although most Americans go about their daily life without noticing the shutdown, it may start to have lasting effects if it continues for a prolonged period. In fact, college students need to be aware of the impact a longer government shutdown may have on their access to educational opportunities. In addition to the shutdown of the Department of Education, the government will also withhold funds from students and colleges during a shutdown. According to the American Council on Education, this means that colleges will not receive federal funding for research endeavors, students in the military may not receive their benefits, international students may lose their funds, and students applying for federal aid may experience long delays.
All in all, if a government shutdown continues for an extended period, it can significantly impact millions of Americans, particularly college students who rely on government funding and communication. According to the Federal Reserve Board, about 40% of college attendees end up with some type of federal loan, meaning that the government plays a huge part in funding higher education for millions of Americans. Therefore, students must monitor their financial aid status during a shutdown, and it is also important to look out for announcements from the Department of Education. If Roanoke College students have questions or concerns about financial aid, a quick and reliable resource is the Financial Aid Office, located across from Morehead Hall on the South side of campus.
Madeline Wall
Staff Reporter
