What a government shutdown means is “nonessential” government services are no longer being provided. Some agencies will be able to survive for a few weeks based on leftover money, but the longer this goes on, the less they’ll be able to do.
You still have to pay your taxes.
The IRS will continue to collect taxes. The 12 million people who filed for an extension on their 2012 tax returns have until Oct. 15 to file.
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But the IRS is canceling audit appointments.
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Financial aid will continue.
Pell Grants and federal direct student loans will continue, but other functions of the U.S. Department of Education will come to a halt as more than 90% of the department's employees are furloughed.
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Other Department of Education functions will be affected the longer the shutdown continues.
According to the Department of Education, a “delay in Department obligations and payments beyond one week would severely curtail the cash flow to school districts, colleges and universities, and vocational rehabilitation agencies that depend on the Department’s funds to support their services.”
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