On Jan. 27, 2025, the country was rocked when President Trump issued a memorandum stating all federal financial assistance would cease. While this affected various areas, higher education was one of the most crucial sectors that were hit.
It was originally interpreted that this memorandum would drastically impact almost all students who attend any sort of higher education, whether it be a technical college or a four-year university. They would most likely not be able to pursue their dreams any longer, because they would no longer receive financial assistance.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 75% of undergraduate students receive financial aid for the 2019 and 2020 school years. This number has most likely increased due to past years of inflation. Therefore, many students are reliant on federal assistance to attend college.
Due to the confusing language in the memorandum, many across the country thought that their direct federal assistance, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), would be discontinued. However, upon further review, this was not the case, as it would only affect grants.
It is important to note that on Jan. 28, right before the memorandum was implemented, a U.S. District judge, Loren L. AliKan, temporarily paused its effects. It has since been paused indefinitely. However, that does not mean that this memorandum has left students’ minds unscarred.
In an interview with Amy Schmidt, Viterbo’s Vice President of Finance and Administration, she explained what this memorandum would mean, the steps the university has taken, and what it would do if an order like this were to occur.
She explained that when the memorandum came out, just like all of the Viterbo leadership, she was concerned about what this meant to students, faculty, and staff. “If you look at grants, the work we do, that’s community-based sometimes, too.”
This led to a meeting with President Trietley and his cabinet, to verify that they not only had all the information, but also the correct information. This is when they found out that the memorandum did not apply to financial aid but grants instead.
Though this might not seem as relevant to students, it should be. Schmidt said, “Like most universities, we do receive grants from the federal government specific to certain projects that we are working on.”
The majority of grants, Schmidt comments, go to student services. For example, Viterbo recently got a new suicide prevention grant. If this memorandum were to have passed, this critical grant might not have been available to the community.
Instead, what the Viterbo community got was a learning opportunity and a way to adjust procedures if a memorandum or executive order like this one were to come out again. Schmidt explained that leadership at Viterbo will keep closer observations of what the government is doing, more than what they have done in the past. Furthermore, Schmidt said that she attended a webinar explaining what executive orders can and cannot do, to prepare for the possible future.
While Viterbo leadership is doing its part, action does not stop there. As the heart of Viterbo, as its students, there need to be steps taken so that there can be knowledge and hope in the face of confusion.
As college is a place of learning, and with the spectacular resources Viterbo has, it can be easy for students to get information on anything related to politics. Educating oneself can help stop panic and understand what can be done to help others.
Another great avenue is to remind each other what this university holds dear: contemplation, hospitality, integrity, service, and stewardship. By coming together as a university that values every single person that comes through its doors, everyone can rely on the fact that there are shared ethics and each other.
It is not a time to panic. There might be worry, frustration, and concern, but these emotions can be understood and focused on making a difference rather than causing more unintended harm.
There is difficulty in this, but understanding and change can start with a simple conversation. Going to a friend for comfort, a counselor for help, or even a history professor for further education can be a perfect place to begin. Do not be afraid to search for support, because finding it at Viterbo is easy.
What is pertinent to keep in mind is that grants, although not directly involved with student payments, impact the student experience. This type of financial aid helps to enhance lives on campus, whether it be for health, academics, or extracurriculars. At Viterbo, the staff wants to make sure the students can get the best out of their time, and grants are a crucial part of that.
