Concerns escalate as Trump administration's potential funding freeze threatens colleges and universities reliant on federal aid. Morehouse College President David Thomas speaks to CNBC about the impact on students and faculty, highlighting the anxieties mirroring those felt during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amidst growing concerns surrounding a potential funding freeze by the Trump administration, colleges and universities heavily reliant on federally-backed research grants and aid are facing considerable uncertainty. Morehouse College President David Thomas, speaking to CNBC, revealed that his office has been flooded with calls from worried students and their families, echoing the anxieties experienced during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Thomas, who assumed the presidency of Morehouse, one of the nation's leading historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), in 2018, described the current situation as a cause for major concern, with college leaders nationwide dedicating the week to understanding the implications of this potential action.Morehouse College, for example, has swiftly implemented a hiring freeze as a precautionary measure in anticipation of a potential financial disruption. Approximately 40% of Morehouse's student body depends on Federal Pell Grants, a form of financial assistance designed to support low-income families. While the temporary pause on federal grants and loans, as outlined in a directive from the Office of Management and Budget, does not encompass aid provided directly to individuals, the uncertainty surrounding discretionary grants at the Department of Education remains a significant worry. An Education Department spokesperson, Madi Biedermann, clarified that the funding pause exclusively applies to discretionary grants within the department, which will be evaluated by leadership to ensure alignment with the Trump administration's priorities. The freeze could potentially impact federal work-study programs and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, which are typically distributed in bulk to colleges for disbursement to students. Jonathan Fansmith, a senior vice president at the American Council on Education, highlighted the broader implications of this situation, stating that the administration's executive orders could significantly affect a wide range of existing awards and grants, ultimately impacting campuses nationwide. The potential disruption to federally-backed research funding poses a serious threat to college programs and staff. At Morehouse, a substantial portion of the faculty relies on grant funding. Thomas expressed grave concerns, stating that without continued access to these funds, institutions like Morehouse might be compelled to drastically reduce their operations or even face closure
FEDERAL FUNDING RESEARCH GRANTS COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HIGHER EDUCATION
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