CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - The financial aid process can be confusing, and the ongoing government shutdown may have parents asking extra questions ahead of the 2026-27 year.

The shutdown is impacting the Department of Education, which is responsible for managing the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio.

According to the shutdown message on the Federal Student Aid website , people can still submit applications:

“Due to a lapse in appropriations, information on this website may not be maintained, and inquiries may not receive a response. You can still submit a FAFSA®form and access other site functionality and should continue to make payments on your federal student loans as scheduled."

Heartland News spoke with the director of Southeast Missouri State’s Financial Services Of

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