From the President – October 1, 2025

Dear EOU Community,

As you may be aware, the Federal Government has shut down pending agreement on a funding package. I know that moments like this can create uncertainty, especially for those who are receiving federal financial aid and other resources. I want to assure you that Eastern Oregon University is closely monitoring the situation, and we have heard from the Department of Education.

At this time, the U.S. Department of Education has confirmed that current funding disbursements will continue. Specifically:

• Pell Grants and Direct Loans remain active; however, some delays could occur if the Department of Education systems experience downtime.
• Federal Student Aid and VA benefits will continue, although disbursement timing may be adjusted due to limited staffing or system outages.
• GI Bill and VA healthcare benefits will continue without disruption.
• International Students: Visa processing and SEVP monitoring remain uninterrupted.
• Research activities: Existing federally funded projects may continue, but new awards and sponsor communications will pause until the shutdown is resolved.

I understand that this situation may raise questions and concerns. EOU’s Financial Aid, Veterans Services, and International Programs remain available to support you. Please reach out if you have concerns about your funding or benefits.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available, and hopefully, this is a short-term issue. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this together.

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President