Ongoing federal actions have cut millions from UW–Madison’s research budget, put financial aid at risk, and sparked fears about deportation among international students and alumni.
For the most up-to-date information on federal issues affecting UW–Madison, visit https://federalrelations.wisc.edu/for-campus-community/.
Research Funding:
Campus leaders have been managing ongoing stop-work orders for federal grant projects, as well as potential cuts to indirect costs for many programs. The situation has been fluid, and campus leaders are monitoring on a daily basis.
- Agencies such as the USDA, CDC, NIH, NSF, NASA, and others have issued cuts, stop-work orders, or revised funding guidelines.
- To date, the university has submitted declarations or joined eight lawsuits brought by coalitions of states and partners in higher education, and Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin joined 180 other university leaders in signing a joint letter challenging the legality of the funding freezes and delays.
- Funding cuts and delays will lead to layoffs among staff and trainees and interrupt the progress of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students toward their degrees. Cuts also damage the state and national innovation economy and international competitiveness.
The university continues to assess the implications of these cuts and delays through internal workgroups, coordination with other research institutions, and close monitoring of developments with state and federal partners.
Cuts to Federal Financial Aid
Pending federal legislation to reduce government spending and overhaul the student loan system could severely impact financial aid programs such as Pell Grants.
The bill, which received Congressional approval in a 215–214 vote on May 22, proposes replacing current income-based loan repayment options and increasing the required credit hours for Pell Grant recipients to qualify for aid.
Across the 13 Universities of Wisconsin, nearly 31,600 students are Pell Grant recipients, including more than 20 percent of students at UW–Madison in the 2024–2025 academic year. President Jay Rothman has urged lawmakers to reconsider the legislation, arguing that the proposed changes would undermine college access for low-income students and disproportionately affect first-generation and underrepresented students. “It makes no sense for the U.S. to narrow opportunities if our country wants to win the global war for talent,” says Rothman. “I am dumbfounded that cutting educational opportunities would even be considered when our economic vibrancy is at stake.”
Higher education leaders across the state echoed these concerns and stressed that the proposed changes would shift more financial burden onto students and families. They warn this could lead to reduced enrollment, delay the entry of qualified graduates into the workforce, and restrict economic mobility.
The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate.
Photo by Althea Dotzour.
