In a significant move, the Trump administration has informed states of its decision to withhold over $6 billion in federal education grants, which were previously approved for schools across the nation.
This announcement comes just one day prior to the July 1 deadline for the distribution of these funds, a timeline that has traditionally remained consistent in previous years.
Messages sent to state education officials from the U.S. Education Department stated that, due to the change in administration, a review of the fiscal year 2025 funding for key grant programs, including Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B, is underway.
According to the message shared with NPR by several sources, including The School Superintendents Association (AASA), the grant funds will not be distributed until this review is completed.
Tara Thomas, AASA’s government affairs manager, expressed concern over the unprecedented nature of this action, stating that districts rely on stable funding for responsible planning and budgeting.
She added that such disruptions can significantly impact school districts throughout the country.
Currently under review are grants that support numerous educational programs, such as migrant education, before- and after-school programs, and resources for English language learners.
Among the largest sources of funding affected is a substantial $2.2 billion designed for the professional development of educators.
Thomas highlighted that this funding is crucial for teacher training, which ultimately enhances the quality of education provided to students.
The withholding of these grants is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted such educational programs, as the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 sought to eliminate all five grants currently under review.
It is important to note that two critical federal funding streams for public schools—Title I, advocating for districts serving lower-income communities, and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), intended for supporting students with disabilities—remain untouched for now.
However, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, which facilitates academic enrichment before and after school hours, is significantly impacted by this recent decision.
In a low-income district located about 90 miles north of Portland, Maine, the 21st Century grant has been essential in funding various activities that educators argue would otherwise be unaffordable.
These include outdoor adventures, sewing, chess, robotics, theater, and cooking programs.
Dawn Fickett, who oversees this program within school district MSAD 54, voiced her concerns earlier this spring about how detrimental the loss of such activities would be for students in her area.
Fickett noted that these programs have contributed to notable academic and personal growth among the participants.
“Having a place for our youth to go to be engaged and sparking joy and learning is a great way to keep kiddos off our streets and out of trouble,” she emphasized.
As the Education Department has yet to respond to NPR’s request for comment, the uncertainty surrounding federal education grants continues to loom over schools as they prepare for the upcoming academic year.
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