Federal Shutdown Affecting Trinity Community

We conducted a campus survey to find out how the federal government shutdown, now 3 weeks old, is affecting members of the Trinity community.  57% of those who responded were students; 23% were faculty (both full-time and part-time); and 19% were staff. In the comments below, respondents express many concerns about finances, mental health and career change support.  Trinity offers support for those affected by the federal shutdown in several ways:

• Trinity Continuing Education is offering special webinars, workshops and courses for displaced worker who want to change careers, and we are part of the Talent Capital Initiative that is a regional public/private partnership.  Learn more about these services here:  https://www2.trinitydc.edu/continuing-education/support-for-federal-workers-fall-2025/
• Trinity has emergency funds to help students in times of crisis.  Learn more and apply at: https://discover.trinitydc.edu/student-affairs/emergency-student-assistance/
• Students who need payment deferrals because of losing a federal or shutdown-related job should visit Enrollment Services; our staff are ready to help you!
• Trinity also supports a food pantry, see https://discover.trinitydc.edu/student-affairs/emergency-food-assistance/
• Students may access mental health services through the Health Services Center; see more about these and all other student support services at https://discover.trinitydc.edu/student-affairs/resources/

We will provide additional information, resources and guidance as the shutdown drags on.  For now, you can see the results of our survey below, and feel free to add you comments using the comment link at the bottom, or email me directly at president@trinitydc.edu

Q1: Our first question asked whether the respondent is a federal worker, or has family members as federal workers, or contractors, or internships:

Q2:  Estimate of the Likely Financial or Other Impact of the Federal Shutdown on You and Your Family

Here we begin to see the real toll that the shutdown is having; some of the answers:

• The government shutdown has cause financial hardship for my family and me due to a $1,200
  loss in income, making it difficult to manage essential expenses.
• $5,100 of expenses within this month. I am not able pay all of my bills.
• $28,000
• Government shutdown result in a loss of income while my regular pay is disrupted. This could make it difficult to cover essential expenses such as bills, food, household items, and other basic necessities for my family and I.
• $7,000
• $5,500
• $6,000
• Devastating
• $2,000
• $4,200
• Both parents will lose 100% of income for the duration of shutdown
• Significant
• Huge
• We will struggle to buy food and pay rent
• $8,000
• $70,000
• We were behind from cutbacks but housing, food, and healthcare are at the top of the list.

Q3 Do you or members of your household work in local private service businesses that would suffer losses in a federal government shutdown, e.g., restaurants, car services, dry cleaners, similar services that would lose business in a shutown?

30% – YES
70% – NO

• I work for [an] agency that operates as a private contractor, and our budget depends partly on federal funding. The shutdown has reduced and delayed funding, which affects my ability to provide services, earn my regular income, and meet basic needs such as food, bills, and household expenses. This financial uncertainty has created additional stress and instability for my family.
• My father works as a banquet server at a hotel. So I expect that there would be a loss of
  business in the hotel from the government shutdown
• A member of my household may suffer losses because they work at a local private business.
  The business may decrease as a result of federal workers not being able to work or get paid.

Q4 Are there other ways in which a government shutdown might have an impact on you or your family?

• The government shutdown also impact my family by delaying access to public services and
  programs we rely on, such as healthcare, housing assistance, and community resources.
• Inability to pay bills Strain on mental health We may lose housing
• I think another way a government shutdown might impact my family is through healthcare. We
  are all under a low-income healthcare plan, so that might be affected from the shutdown.
• Loss of business as it relates to other government contracts that were in the process of being
  negotiated
• We could lose the benefits of medical insurance, my monthly benefit from TANF, and food
  security from SNAP
• Government support including but not limited to, SNAP, Maryland Medicaid; and temporary
  housing

Q5 What should Trinity be planning to do to support members of our campus community during the government shutdown?

• Trinity should plan to provide financial, academic, and emotional support to students and staff
  affected by a government shutdown. This could include offering emergency financial
  assistance, flexible payment plans, access to food and housing resources, and clear
  communication about available support services. Additionally, Trinity could provide counseling
  and mental health resources to help community members cope with the stress and uncertainty
  caused by the shutdown.
• Plan fun activities to relieve stress (i.e., movie nights, sound baths, massage therapy, yoga &
  pilates classes. Host these events during times when the non-traditional students can
  participate & engage with the TWU community.
• Trinity should plan to use any extra funds in the budget to provide financial assistance to
  students, staff, or faculty directly affected by the government shutdown. This support could
  help cover essential expenses like food, transportation, and household needs until regular
  income resumes.
• Listening sessions are always good.
• I think reassurance is key in supporting members of our campus community especially when it comes to things like healthcare and aid. I know for me personally, I’m worried about federal aid and state aid might become less accessible.
• Grocery gift cards, Extra mental health days.
• Offer the ability to live on campus without the meal plan. If my family is unable to support my rent during shutdown, having the ability to stay on campus without having to buy the meal plan (as they are super unaffordable for me) would be helpful
• Give me more time to pay off my balance.
• Maybe a food drive and connecting with non-profit organizations for housing services.
• Free to discounted new training and retraining courses in IT, computer application courses to displaced federal workers. Resume support and development.
• Wellness, professional development, and career planning sessions