A Department of Education spokesperson said Tuesday that student financial aid is still operating under normal conditions

Trump's directive excludes direct payments, Social Security, and Medicare benefits from the funding pause. Federal student loan aid, including FAFSA applications for 2025, remains unaffected and is expected to proceed as scheduled despite broader funding cuts.

And FAFSA apparently remained available during the confusion. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, a nonprofit membership organization, said Wednesday it had not received complaints about FAFSA availability from administrators at any schools. Still, many borrowers were asking online if the FAFSA was affected.