The record 43‑day federal shutdown ended, but education leaders warned the pause will have lingering effects on K‑12 and higher‑education funding flows. Late Head Start and Impact Aid payments forced program closures and delayed vendor contracts; Education Department staff who received layoff notices will return but grant disbursements and paused awards require catch‑up. District and university officials say the interruption eroded trust in federal support and could delay research and student services while leaders digest the financial gap created by the freeze and earlier grant cancellations.