The recent federal government shutdown is triggering substantial repercussions across higher education, including furloughs of Education Department staff responsible for student aid and civil rights enforcement. Research grant awards and peer reviews have paused, with potential delays in financial aid disbursements and enrollment management. The Trump administration has also signaled intent to pursue large-scale federal workforce reductions during the shutdown, adding uncertainty and operational challenges to colleges and universities. Institutions are bracing for prolonged disruption contingent on the length and severity of the funding lapse.