Federal Pell grants and direct student loans are not affected by the White House's temporary pause on federal grants and loans, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed Tuesday. The clarification comes after the Office of Management and Budget ordered federal agencies to halt federal funding assistance as President Donald Trump's administration begins to review programs for compliance with his recently signed executive orders.

Students and parents panicked after news of the order, but the Education Department said the guidance would not stop the flow of money to students and schools.