Federal Government Shutdown Resources

FY2024 Federal Government Appropriations Deadline

Last Updated 3/15/2024

 

Information on Possible Partial or Full Government Shutdown

In March, Congress passed H.R. 4366, The Consolidated Appropriations Act. This legislation provides funding for the Agriculture, Energy and Water, Military Construction-VA, Transportation, Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS), and Interior-Environment bills for FY2024. The CJS bill contains $68.5 billion in total funding, including $9.06 billion for the National Science Foundation, a 5% decrease from FY23 base funding (excluding supplemental funding provided in FY23). Funding for NASA in the CJS measure is also down by 2% at $24.88 billion, and the Science Mission Directorate at NASA is slated for almost a 6% reduction. House and Senate leadership are in the process of negotiating the second batch of six funding bills, which includes funding for federal student aid, the National Institutes of Health, and Department of Defense. The deadline to pass those bills is March 22.  

Background

Federal government shutdowns occur when Congress does not pass federal appropriations measures to fund government functions such as federal departments and agencies by the beginning of the fiscal year, October 1. 

Possible Impacts of a Shutdown on Ohio State

  • The biggest challenge for any entity that interfaces with federal agencies is that many federal employees will not be permitted to work. That includes not being able to check email or respond to messages.
  • Each federal agency has developed contingency plans that will dictate the response to a lapse in government funding (see links below).

Student Aid - U.S. Department of Education

With federal student aid already disbursed for the semester, impacts from a U.S. Department of Education shutdown should be minimal for a short-term shutdown. 

  • Federal Student Aid (FSA) systems will remain operational.
  • According to the U.S. Education Department’s contingency plan, servicing of federal student loans, as well as disbursement of Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans, “could continue for a very limited time,” but “these operations could also experience some level of disruption” during an extended shutdown.

Research - Federal Research Agencies 

Federal research agencies have begun to release updates on their shutdown procedures (see link below)

  • Generally, research on federally funded projects can continue as usual for a short-term shut down.
  • However, some research functions could be slowed or stalled as agency employees will likely be unable to answer the phone, respond to emails, maintain websites, hold meetings, review grant applications, and process awards. Also, other vital support services would cease as many agency employees would be furloughed. 
  • Ohio State’s Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge has posted guidance related to current federally-funded research projects as well as proposals in development. 

Immigration and visa processing 

During a shutdown, consular and embassy services will remain open, providing international students and scholars the ability to apply for visas. 

  • Embassies are fee-funded entities and will remain open as long as there are fees to support operations.
  • In a shutdown, services for American citizens are further prioritized and international students and scholars may see delays in processing. Additionally, international students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) will likely still be able to apply for work permits.

Key Resources:

The Office of Government Affairs will continue to monitor this situation and will update this information accordingly.  If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact governmentaffairs@osu.edu.