Federal Government Shutdown FAQs

The University of Maryland is committed to keeping its community updated on the partial federal government shutdown and its potential impacts on our community. Below are some frequently asked questions. The university will update this information as federal agencies continue to release more guidance to the public.

Click here and here for guidance from the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Specific agency contingency plans can also be found here.

Updated 12/30/2018

A government shutdown, even a partial one, can have significant negative impact on advanced research projects at UMD and all US research universities.The negative consequences are greater, the longer the shutdown lasts.

Congress has already approved funding for several federal agencies that support the university, including the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Education (DoED), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Energy (DOE). These agencies will continue to operate as usual.

Congress has yet to pass funding for several agencies that are important to the university, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Commerce (including NIST, NOAA, and EDA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the State Department (including USAID), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The FAQs below apply to individuals on campus that are working with these agencies in some capacity.

1. What is the impact on federally-funded research projects?

No new grants or contracts are usually awarded during a shutdown. Researchers can likely submit proposals, but they will not be reviewed until the government is operational again. A shutdown can also have negative impact on our research partnerships and collaborations with federal agencies.

Work may continue on most federally-funded projects that have already been awarded. Routine administrative and support services provided by federal agencies to grant and contract recipients likely will not be available. Awarded projects may be disrupted during a shutdown if they are housed in a federal facility, if the project includes federal personnel, and/or if an award includes restrictive terms and conditions that require administrative action to approve a drawdown of funds.

Federal agency staff likely will not be available to approve no-cost extension requests, grant transfers, re-budgeting approvals or other actions requiring agency approval.

2. What is the impact on federal financial aid?

The partial shutdown will not impact federal financial aid programs supported by the Department of Education as Congress approved FY2019 appropriations for these programs.

3. What is the impact on veterans’ education benefits and services?

The partial shutdown will not impact veterans' education benefits and services as Congress approved FY2019 appropriations for these programs.

4. What is the impact on immigration services?

Because these activities are funded by fees, most of these services are expected to remain operational during a shutdown. For additional information, view the DHS shutdown plan linked above.

5. What is the impact on international students at UMD?

If you have questions or concerns about how the shutdown affects you as an international student, please contact UMD’s International Student & Scholar Services office at 301-314-7740.

6. What is the impact on students who are interning with federal agencies? How will this affect internship credits earned?

Students who have an internship with a federal agency should contact their supervisor to determine how their work is affected by the shutdown. Students should also contact their internship coordinator at UMD to determine any effects on credits being earned.

7. Will the Metro still run?

The metro’s service and schedule are not affected by the shutdown.