The White House is reporting that more than $1 billion in federal money meant for Cornell University in upstate New York is frozen amid what the Trump administration said are “credible and concerning Title VI investigations.”

This comes after the U.S. Education Department sent letters to more than 60 universities, including Cornell and some SUNY campuses, warning of potential enforcement actions if they do not “protect Jewish students.” 

Cornell leaders say they have not received word about the $1 billion, but they have received some communication from the government about funding that could take a hit.

Losing the funding means losing access to essential research and academic pursuits. 

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff released a statement Tuesday to provide further clarity. 

The statement claims the Department of Defense issued 75 stop work orders related to research significant to American national defense, cybersecurity and health. Specifically, the grants impacted affect research into:

• New materials for jet engines
• Propulsion systems
• Large-scale information networks
• Robotics
• Superconductors
• Space and satellite communications
• Cancer research

Rushika Prasad, a mechanical engineering student at Cornell, said she’s worried about the impact this will have on her fellow classmates.

“I’ve heard some people’s internships or research possibly getting canceled,” said Prasad.

Prasad says losing an internship can hold students back as they take their first steps toward their future careers.

“I think as an engineer, it’s very hard knowing that you have a gap in your resume for any of the summers when it’s so competitive," explained Prasad.

Cornell is under federal investigation for its handling of student protests criticizing the war in Gaza. Federal officials argue some students violated aspects of the Civil Rights Act by preventing Jewish students from accessing certain campus facilities. 

Cornell University, however, denies the claims.

Cornell is one of many universities dealing with a freeze of this nature. Last week, Columbia University lost $400 million in federal dollars, losing funding for potentially lifesaving research. In order to restore that funding, Columbia ultimately made changes to the university’s policy to be in compliance with Trump administration demands. 

Now, students like Prasad are wondering how Cornell will respond to the orders.

“I don’t think Cornell is going to be willing to bow to pressure, if that’s what it is,” said Prasad.

President Kotlikoff’s statement from Tuesday says, in part:

“The university has worked diligently to create an environment where all individuals and viewpoints are protected and respected. We are committed to working with our federal partners to continue the contributions made by our scientists and scholars."

Kotlikoff also said that the university is actively seeking information from federal officials about the basis of the stop work orders.