DSU Defers Payments for Families Financially Impacted by Shutdown

Delaware State University (DSU) President Tony Allen recently announced that the school would temporarily defer payments for its students and families experiencing financial effects from the ongoing federal government shutdown.

“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 at an Oct. 19 dinner celebrating the 75^th anniversary of the Newark, Delaware NAACP Chapter.

“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.”

Effective immediately, qualified DSU students will see their remaining payments for the fall 2025 semester suspended. The Dover, Del.-based research university is also reducing down payment and financial balance requirements for eligible students “in good academic and financial standing” to register for spring 2026 classes.

Students and/or their parents who work for the federal government are required to provide documentation of furlough or “other direct impact from the shutdown,” the statement read. A DSU committee with representatives from departments including Institutional Advancement and Financial Aid will review requests for accommodations.

The committee may also establish additional guidelines for review, according to the university, which urges students or families with questions about potential shutdown accommodations to email [email protected] with “Government Shutdown” in the subject line.

“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, assistant vice president of student accounts at DSU, in a statement.

“This new policy will make sure students can continue their education if their parents are furloughed or have seen their paychecks affected by the shutdown in Washington.”