ChancellorJanuary 28, 2025

Statement on OMB Memo on Federal Financial Aid

Written By: Terisa Riley

Dear colleagues and students,

As you may be aware, President Donald Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ordered a hold on all financial federal assistance. The purpose of the hold, presumably, is to ensure that federal programs are in alignment with the executive orders signed by President Trump and that funds are spent in congruence with his priorities. I have attached a copy of the OMB notice.

The notice does not effect federal student loans or federal student grant aid, both of which are direct aid to individuals (similar to Medicare and Social Security). Our Offices of Financial Aid, Student Accounts Receivable, and Finance are working tirelessly to ensure that we draw down all federal funds today and are prepared to disburse those funds to student accounts according to schedule.

The notice does place a hold on other grant programs such as Title III, TRIO, and EDA grants; thus, we are awaiting further instructions from the Office of General Counsel about how to proceed. The university will process end of month payroll tomorrow, and all individuals who are compensated from grant funds WILL be paid as usual this month. Please check your emails regularly for updates from any of the university’s federal grant fund programs.

Today, I am on my way to Little Rock to continue discussions and to glean more information from the UA System leaders. As I learn updates, I will share them with our campus as quickly as possible.

I appreciate each of you and the work you do to further the mission of the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

Highest regards always,

Terisa Riley