As you have no doubt seen and heard in the press, Congress has not been able to reach an agreement about federal funding for Fiscal Year 2026. With the current fiscal year expiring at midnight on Tuesday, September 30, there will probably be a government shutdown.
There are a few things TRIO programs should be aware of in the case of a government shutdown:
- TRIO is forward-funded, so your current operating funds are secured.
- The drawdown platform, known as G5, will continue to operate.
- Non-essential government employees, including most U.S. Department of Education (ED) TRIO and GEAR UP staff, will be on furlough.
- If you have a special condition in your Grant Award Notification (GAN), you cannot draw down until ED approves the necessary information.
Forward Funded: TRIO and GEAR UP funds for Program Year 2025-2026 were included in the FY2025 continuing resolution passed in March 2025. In your most recent grant award notice, these funds are secured and committed to your institution or agency for the 2025-2026 program year. Therefore, TRIO and GEAR UP programs can continue operating as usual.
Drawing Down Funds: The drawdown platform will run through a government shutdown. Programs can continue to draw down funds as they usually do. COE recommends that grantees keep their regular business routine the same. Funds are to be drawn only to meet a grantee’s immediate cash needs for each grant. Each time you use the G5 system to draw down payments, you must check a box certifying that you adhere to cash management requirements. The G5 screen displays the following message:
By submitting this payment request, I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that the request is based on true, complete, and accurate information. I further certify that the expenditures and disbursements made with these funds are for the purposes and objectives set forth in the applicable Federal award or program participation agreement, and that the organization on behalf of which this submission is being made is and will remain in compliance with the terms and conditions of that award or program participation agreement. I am aware that the provision of any false, fictitious, or fraudulent information, or the omission of any material fact, may subject me, and the organization on behalf of which this submission is being made, to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties for fraud, false statements, false claims, or other violations. (U.S. Code Title 18, Section 1001; Title 20, Section 1097; and Title 31, Sections 3729-3730 and 3801-3812)
Non-Essential Employees: We recognize that the status of most federal government employees remains uncertain as the Office of Management and Budget has advised federal agencies to develop plans to reduce their workforce if a shutdown were to occur permanently. However, recent reports indicate that most federal agencies intend to move forward with their typical shutdown plans of putting employees on furlough (as opposed to permanent layoffs). At a minimum, TRIO and GEAR UP professionals should expect most U.S. Department of Education staff to be furloughed during a government shutdown. That is, TRIO and GEAR UP staff won’t be able to reach ED employees during the shutdown. Grantees cannot get approval on any prior written requests during this time. However, the G5 Help Desk Hotline will continue operating during a shutdown: 1-888-336-8930.
- For specific questions or concerns about program operations during this time, please contact Angelica Vialpando at [email protected].
- Please contact Diane Shust, Vice President for Public Policy, via email at [email protected] regarding the government shutdown.
Please know that our COE team is always here to assist you. COE will keep the TRIO community abreast of the federal budget situation as it unfolds.
Get in Touch
Questions? Contact COE Vice President for Public Policy Diane Shust.
Diane Shust
Vice President, Public Policy [email protected]
Vacant
Director, Congressional Affairs