Bracing for $85 billion funding cuts

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Still no sign of stopping automatic funding cuts after President Obama officially authorized those cuts to take effect on Friday. 22News has the breakdown of when you will feel the impacts of these cuts.

So far only two departments in Washington D.C. began reducing their employees’ workweeks, but experts say that is just the beginning.

It's just a waiting game now. From border security agents to teachers to small business owners, everyone is bracing for the $85 billion across-the-board funding cuts.

Three days after President Obama authorized these funding cuts, nothing much has changed. But we'll definitely feel the impact in a few months. For example, students will notice a difference when they receive their financial aid packages.

At University of Massachusetts Amherst, funding for student support programs will be cut by $420,000.

That means students will receive less money in work-study and grants.

Stacy Nettekoven, Senior at UMass Amherst, told 22News “To me it meant everything. I don't think it would've been possible without those grants. Definitely I benefited a great deal from work-study and from grants, and I know a lot people that have.”

UMass senior Dimitri Dimauro said “Without any of the grants or anything like that, I wouldn't have been able to go to any college at all. It helps pay for my textbooks and help me with travel expenses like going back home during vacations and stuff like that.”

Many people told 22News they want lawmakers to act before it's too late.

John Santaniello of Amherst told 22News “At this point I think they really have to do something. You're going to see people who will get hurt by it. You know, they'll be affected in a day to day basis.”

UMass research funding will go down by $9.6 million as well. Even pre-schoolers will feel the impact. Headstart losing funding too.