New York schools, higher ed in trouble as government shutdown lingers; Jeffries blasts GOP for 'crisis'

As Republican and Democrat legislators squabble over the federal government shutdown, educators worry that the impacts to funding for schools and colleges could be serious the longer it continues.

- By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

The Dems also say their political opponents are making the healthcare crisis worse by holding out for billionaires.

Federal operations declared "nonessential," including the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), have been suspended and are running on skeleton staffing and contingency plans, which state that grants can be accessed but no new grants will be awarded and that the DOE's Office for Civil Rights will suspend investigating complaints.

There's a looming impact on federal funding for teachers and financial aid at New York State's city and state colleges, prompting State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) administrators to go into crisis mode.

"CUNY has been preparing for a government shutdown, providing updates and guidance to members of our community, particularly faculty researchers receiving federal funding," said a CUNY spokesperson in a statement.

"And while support programs like financial aid continue, CUNY remains in close contact with elected officials and continues to coordinate with its 26 colleges to monitor for impacts and help community members navigate this difficult moment."

At the staffing level, CUNY has faculty researchers whose work is supported by federal funding and who are furloughed.

In an email sent out to students, CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez explained that those who received federal financial aid, loans, or Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits should be safe for now since the latest round of funding was already authorized and disbursed before Oct.1 for this semester.

But, they are strongly encouraging students to fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the upcoming 2026 semester as soon as possible.

Similarly, SUNY leadership is urging high schoolers to fill out their FAFSA now.