What Just Happened and What’s Coming Next

From a potential government shutdown to the 2026-2027 FAFSA going live, there’s a lot happening that could impact your wallet. Here’s how you can prepare your finances for the week ahead.

Congress Battles as a Government Shutdown Looms

The government will shut down on October 1 if Congress does not agree on a bill that will fund federal operations.

Last week, Senate Democrats rejected a Republican-led funding bill that would have kept the government going until November 21. Democrats are pushing for a funding bill that would reverse or delay healthcare funding cuts from the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill,’ but Congress only has until next week to decide.

This particular shutdown could be more severe for federal workers. Typically, federal workers are put on temporary leave until government operations resume. However, on Wednesday, the White House instructed federal agencies to prepare for mass firings if the government shuts down, according to Politico.

What’s Coming Next

Essential federal operations will continue, including the distribution of Social Security and Medicare checks; however, the non-essential actions of most agencies will be paused.

The White House has not yet released contingency plans for agencies that could be partially shuttered if the government shuts down. However, you should be prepared for delays when dealing with agencies like the IRS and the Department of Education. Some Social Security Administration functions, like benefit verifications and overpayment processing, will also likely be temporarily discontinued.

The FAFSA Opened Early This Year

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened on Wednesday, a week earlier than the Department of Education’s estimated timeline, marking its earliest launch date ever.

The application, which will determine the amount of federal loans and grants offered to students during the 2026-27 academic year, is available to fill out now. The 2026-27 FAFSA includes several changes as directed by the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill.’

The new version changes how some families report their income, as well as who is eligible for the Pell Grant, the largest federal grant program. The FAFSA also determines the amount of federal student loans college students and their parents can take out, but there will be new limits for the next academic year.

What’s Coming Next

Experts recommend that college students and their families complete the FAFSA as soon as possible, since some aid is first-come, first-served.

Completing the FAFSA early can also give families time to understand how their financial aid is changing. Some families, like those with higher incomes or foreign incomes, will be offered less money from the Pell Grant program.

Parents and graduate students will be limited in the amount of student loans they can take out, which experts say will lead to more borrowers taking out private loans. Families should be wary of the private loans they take out, because they don’t qualify for forgiveness or protection programs, and typically have higher interest rates than federal loans.