Teachers working without pay in US military schools during shutdown received debt letters

The US flag flutters at the Pentagon on September 19, 2025. Daniel Becerril/Reuters/File

Teachers in US military schools abroad who have been working without pay during the government shutdown received letters this week telling them they owed money to the government, CNN has learned.

Debt letters outlining that personnel have been “overpaid” by various amounts ranging from several hundred dollars to more than $1,000, according to letters viewed by CNN. The letters, sent by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, told employees they have 70 days from the date of the letter to pay the debts.

On Thursday, the Department of Defense Education Agency (DoDEA) told employees that the letters were sent out in error due to a glitch that will be corrected once the government is funded. But