Donald Trump is in his first week back in the Oval Office and he has wasted no time putting his policies in place via executive orders. One order in particular affected thousands of athletes across the country.
“BREAKING: Trump White House orders pause on all federal grants & loans Tens of billions (at minimum) likely affected Huge range of services – state disaster aid; research $ – done via grants Power given to political appointees,” reported the Washington Post’s Jeff Stein on Monday.
Most collegiate Athletes don’t receive full scholarships to compete and rely on other means of financial assistance. This financial aid is given via the federal government.
This can come via Pell Grants, need-based grants that help students with extenuating financial circumstances, and other programs and grants. Olympic athletes also often utilize the Simon Grant, which is a competitive grant for high-performing Team USA athletes with exceptional financial need.
However, athletes aren’t the only ones affected by the freeze.
“Nobody knows if this will affect Medicaid payments for tens of millions, student loans, grants to homeless shelters, disaster relief, veterans orgs and scores of other federal functions,” Stein followed up his initial report with.
My phone has been blowing up over the past 10 hours like crazy.
Nobody knows if this will affect Medicaid payments for tens of millions, student loans, grants to homeless shelters, disaster relief, veterans orgs and scores of other federal functions https://t.co/f7XYPrnXpR
— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) January 28, 2025
Medicaid was indeed paused in all 50 states after the order, but Trump’s administration has since had a change of heart.
“EXCLUSIVE: White House budget office has officially rescinded the order authorizing a federal freeze on grants, according to document obtained by The Washington Post, Stein reported on Wednesday.
It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out in the coming days.
