By Kimberly Ventura
Trinity Times Correspondent
Trinity Washington University freshman Angie Valdez was already stressed last winter about filling out the complicated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when she heard that the newly inaugurated Trump administration had paused federal student aid.
Though reassured later that day that financial aid would continue, the administration’s proposed cuts to the Department of Education have caused concern for Valdez and millions of students across the country.
The uncertainty surrounding FAFSA has created mental health challenges for several Trinity students who rely on federal aid to fund their education, said Anne Cosimano, a counselor at Trinity’s Health and Wellness Center.
The Trump administration has insisted that, despite slashing the Department of Education’s budget and staff, it will maintain the operations of federal student aid and core FAFSA functions. Still, its budget proposal submitted to Congress in May includes sweeping cuts to education and has sparked national anxiety about the future of financial aid programs like Pell Grants and FAFSA.
This comes as mental health professionals report rising challenges among college-age Americans. A 2024 study by Mental Health America found that more than 60% of young people with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment. Its 2023 report revealed that nearly 60% of youth with major depression lacked access to care, highlighting a widespread gap in treatment availability.
At Trinity, faculty and staff are working to support students and create a safe environment as they navigate potential changes in federal funding. Faculty, administrators, and staff have been guiding students through the FAFSA process, helping them overcome barriers they may face.
Valdez said Trinity’s support helped ease the stress she encountered when dealing with FAFSA.
“During the process of filling out the FAFSA application, I faced many barriers due to the way that FAFSA is set up,” Valdez said. “This of course caused a delay in my application because my guardian does not have a Social Security number, making it difficult to complete the form. FAFSA had issues accommodating that, which left me uncertain about how much school would cost me.”
As a first-generation college student, Valdez said she was unfamiliar with the financial aid process and struggled to understand the next steps when issues arose.
“I became stressed and feared the financial strain not having FAFSA could cause,” she said. “There were very few ways to fix the problems I encountered, but being at Trinity, I was able to get help with understanding FAFSA and how financial aid works.”
Trinity staff members have played a crucial role in supporting students through the process, including offering one-on-one guidance.
Cindy Lemus, an enrollment services specialist at Trinity, spoke about her approach to helping students and her personal commitment to transparency.
“After the Trump administration announced that federal funding would be frozen, we did not receive many calls because Trinity does a good job of being open and communicating with students about federal funding,” Lemus said. “The best thing we do to reduce stress is keep students informed of any changes that could impact their financial aid. We do this by emailing and talking to students one-on-one if needed.”
When the government announced the pause on federal funding in January, students across the country became alarmed — especially since FAFSA is funded by the federal government and essential for many to afford higher education. Trinity President Patricia McGuire quickly communicated with the university community, assuring students that federal aid would continue uninterrupted, which helped ease concerns.
Lemus said she values strong communication with students and recognizes the source of their anxiety. “I’m very transparent with what’s going on and how it could affect students,” she said.
In response to the challenges students face with FAFSA, Trinity launched “FAFSA Week” from March 3 to March 7. During that week, staff members assisted students with completing the application and understanding available financial aid options, including loans and grants.
Despite institutional support, many students still dread completing FAFSA due to the stress and anxiety it causes — often compounded by limited access to necessary information. The Trump administration’s plans to reduce or eliminate federal education funding have only intensified those concerns.
The potential loss of funding has heightened anxiety among low-income students, many of whom rely heavily on financial aid to pursue their education at an affordable cost.
“There has been an increase in anxiety, especially with what the government has been doing and is talking about doing,” Cosimano said.
She noted growing student concern over possible federal actions, such as reducing or eliminating financial aid programs and even shuttering the Department of Education. However, she emphasized that Trinity offers free counseling services to all students, making support accessible without additional financial strain.
“Students are welcome to come talk to a counselor at any time,” Cosimano said. “We’re here to listen and support them through whatever is causing them stress.”
Trinity’s wellness services have become a vital resource, giving students a confidential space to express their concerns and seek help during uncertain times.