2025 Federal Government Transition

What we know (as of Feb. 2, 2025)

• We recognize that there have been concerns about potential impacts on our students and community related to federal financial aid and grants. The scope of federal agency spending reviews and status of proposed spending freezes continue to evolve through new administrative directives, agency interpretations and litigation. As of this posting on Feb. 2, 2025, it is our understanding that multiple federal sources have stated that student financial aid and grants that are distributed directly to an individual such, as loans or Pell Grants, will continue, along with federal work study program funding.

Potential implications we're tracking

• Based on the communications from federal sources thus far, we are not currently tracking any potential implications, though we will continue to monitor closely out of precaution.

Current guidance and resources

• As is always the case, please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance directly at finaid@k-state.edu if you are a student or parent/guardian experiencing any challenges with aid disbursement.

Who to reach out to with questions

• Email finaid@k-state.edu.

What we know (as of Feb. 2, 2025)

• As the Trump administration took office, multiple executive orders were issued that effectively placed a freeze on several federal funding programs with connections to university research. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released Memorandum M-25-13 issuing additional guidance on Monday, Jan. 27.
• OMB later released an additional memo Wednesday, Jan. 29, rescinding Memorandum M-25-13 that had been previously applied to freeze a wide swath of federal financial assistance affecting K-State research funding.
• Additional legal activity continues to surround these events at the federal level.
• Given this, it's important to understand that even though the memo was rescinded, federal funding programs are still under review under the standing executive orders.
• Federal agencies are beginning to share specifics on their websites as they are able. We will link to them directly below as we become aware of their availability.
  
  • NSF
  • USDA-NIFA
• Many agencies have directly issued an immediate pause on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) activities within federal funding grants.
• Additionally, it's important to understand that the rescinded OMB memo also does not change previous guidance on international funding programs. The "stop work" order for international funding programs, such as those administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), remains in effect, as it is still under directive by executive order.

Potential implications we're tracking

• Some stop work orders tied to international funding programs have been received, and those have been communicated with the appropriate individuals.
• Many reviews and budget transactions remain paused.
• We continue to monitor the rapidly evolving communications from the federal government and agencies, as we understand any funding interruptions pose challenges for researchers who rely on federal funding.

Current guidance and resources

• Unless directed otherwise by official agency communication or the Office of the Vice President for Research, all operations should proceed as normal.
  • It is prudent to be prepared to take action as we receive specific guidance from funding agencies. However, anticipatory actions should not be taken until such guidance has been received from the agencies.
• Please continue to submit grant proposals. Our sponsored programs team continues to process submissions and manage invoices to federal agencies and for other sponsored projects as we are able.
• Concerns related to grant-funded personnel can be relayed to the Associate/Assistant Dean for Research within your academic college.
• If you have any specific concerns about your grant or contract or have received correspondence directly from your program officer, reach out to Paul Lowe at research@k-state.edu.
• We strongly encourage faculty and staff to document any impacts these changes may have on their work.
• Helpful external resource: Council on Government Relations 2025 Administration Transition Information and Resources

Who to reach out to with questions

• Email research@k-state.edu.

What we know (as of Feb. 4, 2025)

• Through a directive, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded guidance that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were prohibited from going after people in sensitive places such as churches, schools and colleges. 
• K-State complies with applicable law and, when appropriate, works with local, state and federal officials to keep our campuses safe. As a state university of Kansas, we will follow and comply with mandatory state and federal legal processes, including valid subpoenas and judicial court orders.

Potential implications we're tracking

• We know that our community has many questions, and our existing resources needed a content review and refresh.

Current guidance and resources

• Content has been refreshed on the DREAMZone web pages, which are existing resources for undocumented and/or DACA-mented students, to ensure we are accurately reflecting the current environment.
• Specific guidance for faculty and staff is also available on the DREAMZone immigration updates and resources page.

Who to reach out to with questions

• Please contact Thomas Lane, vice president for academic success and student affairs, at dassa@k-state.edu.

What we know (as of Feb. 2, 2025)

• Executive orders have called for the elimination of federal diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) programs and trainings.

Potential implications we're tracking

• To date, these executive orders do not direct any immediate elimination of such programs or trainings at colleges or universities.
• However, we know that there are programs, research and offerings that rely on federal funding and/or are extensions of federal programs.
• Additionally, we know that many federal grants have been awarded with a DEIA component included in the original application process. This practice is under review and could therefore have future implications for those grant-funded efforts, including research, programs, etc.

Current guidance and resources

• University leaders have agreed to taking a proactive approach to the executive order and shifting federal environment.
• As such, university leaders are working to understand what specific federal programs and trainings may be impacted by the executive order and how those programs are or are not connected to K-State programs and efforts. A proactive review is taking place to help inform any future guidance or action required. Unless engaged to assist in this review, no other specific action is required of the university community at this time.
• Know that K-State will always comply with state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination. If you feel that you have experienced any form of discrimination, we encourage you to file a report.

Who to reach out to with questions

• Please submit your questions via our online form. If answers are not yet known, we will track your questions and map them into our review process and any future guidance that could result.