Government Shutdown Effects on Military-Connected Students

Posted in Announcements

With the current federal government shutdown, the MAVRC understands that our military-connected Hoyas may experience some unique challenges and difficulties finding information. To that end, see below for some resources, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our office if you have any questions or need further assistance (information here current as of 10/9/25). For more information about how the shutdown affects Georgetown University as a whole, please see the message from the Federal Government Relations team.

For Active Duty/Guard/Reserve students:

• If there’s a shutdown, military personnel (including TPU reservists) might not get paid during the period but back pay is guaranteed after it ends. Drills are already being cancelled or rescheduled.
• Military OneSource is offering financial counseling and it’s free and easy to access if you need help figuring out budgeting.
• USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Pentagon Federal Credit Union are offering interest-free loan and other assistance programs.
• Military Aid Societies (Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Aid Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance) can help cover essentials like food and gas via interest-free loans.
• Legal protections under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) kick in automatically, which includes protection from eviction, repossession, or foreclosure without a court order, plus the ability to request delays in civil proceedings.
• Legal assistance offices will stay open to help students with deployment-related documents or crisis advice, even during the shutdown.

For Veteran Students: 

• Veterans using the GI Bill shouldn’t see an immediate impact, but if you notice delays, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office and the Military Benefits Office.
• Veterans may be eligible for emergency help from groups like the American Red Cross, Operation Homefront, VFW, or local food pantries.
• Food assistance through SNAP is an option if there’s a gap in income due to delays or family circumstances.
• Military OneSource and Cohen Veterans Network are also open to veterans for mental health and financial coaching.

For all Military-Connected Students 

• Auto-payments should be paused if income is disrupted, and students should talk to their landlords or lenders early about delays. Contact our office for example request messages.
• Always check who you’re giving personal information to because the number of scams increase during government shutdowns.