Southern Oregon University Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

03/21/2025

After last week’s announcement that the Department of Education plans to lay off nearly 50% of its staff across all divisions, ED sent a letter to stakeholders stressing that cuts to the department’s offices and programs “will not directly impact students and families.”

Learn more about the letter: https://ow.ly/Vx1i50VjS4B

03/21/2025

President Donald Trump today signed an executive order outlining his intention to dismantle the Department of Education. The order states that “the Secretary of Education shall, to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities.”

While the long-awaited order provides very little specificity, unwinding a federal government agency doesn’t happen instantly — it requires an act of Congress and a comprehensive and well-thought-out roadmap for transferring the oversight of various programs to other federal agencies. Newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon alluded to the forthcoming changes in a letter earlier this month, saying the “restoration” of the Department “will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations.”

In response to this news, NASFAA Interim President & CEO Beth Maglione provided the following statement: https://ow.ly/VLok50VlXKR

02/08/2025

After reports that President Donald Trump is planning to sign an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education (ED), top Democrats in both the House and Senate called on ED to provide information on the steps the department is taking to ensure the continuity and administration of its programs.

“We urge you to provide information on the steps the Department is taking to ensure the continuity of programs that Americans depend on, the ability of the Department to effectively administer programs for their intended purposes without waste, fraud and abuse, and the safeguards in place to protect student data privacy,” the lawmakers wrote.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/3lew50UVIUl

01/30/2025

Direct Loans, Pell Grants, and other federal student aid funds provided to individual students are not impacted by the Jan. 27, 2025, Office of Management and Budget guidance temporarily pausing federal financial assistance programs. We continue to award and disburse federal student aid.

01/29/2025

The U.S. Department of Education posted an Electronic Announcement (EA) confirming that "per the memo, the pause does not impact 'assistance received directly by individuals.' This includes Title IV, HEA funds, which are provided to individual students."

Here's the EA: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2025-01-28/guidance-related-temporary-pause-federal-financial-assistance-programs

01/28/2025

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12/30/2024

Like a fingerprint or signature, your StudentAid.gov account serves as an identifier unique to each person. Parents completing the 2025–26 FAFSA® form must have their own account to complete the form.

12/30/2024

When completing the Financials section of the FAFSA® form, you’ll be asked to enter the total current net worth of your investments. Here’s what that means.

12/30/2024

If you're a student and haven't started your 2025–26 FAFSA® form, we strongly recommend that you complete your section of the form first to save time and prevent errors.
Help yours-elf with these tips at StudentAid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/pro-tips

12/16/2024