PA sees funding stalemate as government shutdown approaches first month

The federal government shutdown that began on Wednesday, Oct. 1 approaches one month, with there still being no sign of a deal in sight, according to a CBS News report.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will continue to feel the economic impact of a month-long government shutdown. According to a Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) report released by the White House, SNAP and Social Security benefits face delays.

Due to the shutdown, funding for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program has halted. In Pennsylvania, there are around 182,000 WIC recipients who rely on the program to support themselves and their children, according to the CEA report.

According to an article released by Axios at the beginning of the current shutdown, federal financial aid disbursements for students are expected to continue, although furloughs within the Office of Federal Student Aid will cause delays.

The shutdown on the federal level only adds to the funding issues faced by the Keystone State. Pennsylvania remains as the only state to have not released a finalized budget, according to CBS News. The PA State Legislature has been entrenched in a four-month battle between Democrats and Republicans that has led to a budget stalemate.

Currently, Pennsylvania’s universities must wait for Gov. Josh Shapiro to approve the state budget before grant money can be disbursed to students.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Shippensburg University President Charles Patterson released an email detailing the current uncertainty regarding the release of financial aid and PA State Grants. As the state budget has yet to be enacted, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is unable to release grant money to eligible students.

In the email, Patterson said, “The University cannot yet issue refunds tied to anticipated state grant disbursements … Please know that we are closely monitoring this situation and remain in regular contact with both PHEAA and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.”

Patterson encouraged students to reach out to the Financial Aid Office or the Student Accounts Office if they have any questions on how their aid may be affected or if they would like to make any temporary arrangements.