![An audience in academic regalia watches a graduation ceremony. One graduation cap reads, "All that I am & hope to be, I owe to those who believed in me[.]" (Photo: Marcus Creel/PCCD)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Grant-1200x800.jpeg)
A pause on federally funded grants would not impact student financial aid, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) informed students Tuesday.
“We have confirmed that this executive order does NOT impact your financial aid award or status,” wrote PCCD Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson wrote in an email to the Peralta community. “If you have applied for and received notice of a financial aid award, we will make sure you get that aid.”
Gilkerson’s reassurance came during an uncertain moment for the future of publicly funded institutions nationwide.
Among a flurry of other sweeping executive actions, the Trump administration ordered Monday that all federal agencies must “temporarily pause all activities related to” awarding monetary grants and financial assistance. The freeze aimed to align government spending with “the law and the President’s priorities,” according to a memo written by the Office of Management and Budget Acting Director, Matthew J. Vaeth.
On Tuesday evening, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan temporarily blocked the mandate from taking effect until February 3 at 5 p.m. EST. While the White House officially rescinded Vaeth’s memo calling for the freeze this morning, the administration continues to seek a broad review of federal spending.
PCCD is due to receive an $850,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund the development and implementation of a new campus security and crisis response model. At this time, it is unclear whether a freeze will affect this grant if enacted. The Citizen has reached out to Chancellor Gilkerson and PCCD Director of Security Abdul Pridgen for comment.
Gilkerson’s email to the district also encouraged students to fill out the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We understand the importance of financial aid in supporting your academic success,” said Gilkerson.
For more information about filing the FAFSA or applying for financial aid, contact your college’s Financial Aid department:
