DSU Announces Accommodations for Families Affected by Federal Government Shutdown

With the current federal government shutdown, Delaware State University has announced some accommodations for families who are affected. University President Tony Allen announced Monday that the University would temporarily defer payments for the fall of 2025 semester for students and families who area experiencing direct financial impacts due to the ongoing shutdown of the federal government. They will also reduce down payment and financial balance requirements for qualifying students in good academic and financial standing to register for classes in the Spring of 2026.

Additional information from DSU:

“Through no fault of their own, too many families have been directly impacted by the shutdown.  And in some households that will automatically mean “dreams deferred,” said Allen. Starting today, the University will temporarily defer remaining payments for the Fall 2025 semester and reduce down-payment and financial balance requirements for qualifying students “in good academic and financial standing” to register for classes in Spring 2026. He continued, “We do not want that to happen at Delaware State University. If doing our part by providing temporary relief is all that we can do, then we must go boldly and in the best interests of our exceptional student community.”

A team of University colleagues from Student Accounts, Student Success, Institutional Advancement, and Financial Aid will review requests for accommodations. Students and/or parents will be required to provide documentation of furlough or other direct impact from the shutdown. The committee may establish additional guidelines for review.

“We are hearing stories of real hardship from parents and families who are directly affected by the shutdown of the federal government,” said Carold Boyer-Yancy, AVP of Student Accounts at Delaware State University. “This new policy will make sure students can continue their education it their parents are furloughed or have seen their paychecks affected by the shutdown in Washington.”

“The University understands that the current financial crisis affecting federal employees with students enrolled at DSU is beyond their control,” said Dr. Patrice Gilliam, Provost and Chief  Academic Officer. “DSU is doing its part to help families as they go through this situation by instituting measure to help their children continue their academic journeys uninterrupted.” 

Students or families who have questions about potential shutdown accommodations should email studentaccounts@desu.edu with “Government Shutdown” in the subject line.