Update Regarding Federal Funding

January 29, 2025

I write this morning with a brief update to yesterday’s message regarding the White House memo on a temporary halt on certain federal funding. As you may be aware, a federal judge has since paused the administration’s effort to freeze that funding, at least until Monday, while a lawsuit proceeds. Separately, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed that Pell grants and direct student loans will not be included in the funding interruption ordered by President Trump, though they are still under review to determine whether they align with White House policies.

These events illustrate how fluid this situation is likely to remain. As it evolves, we will do our best to provide timely and accurate guidance.

As I noted yesterday, these developments have caused a great deal of concern within our campus community. As we work to understand the reach and impact of these legal and policy-based developments, Rutgers–New Brunswick will continue to pursue its mission of excellence in education, scholarship, and public service, and will uphold our commitment to a campus culture that values the voices and perspectives of each member of our community.

Sincerely,

Francine Conway, Ph.D.
Chancellor and Distinguished Professor
Rutgers University–New Brunswick