Federal Education Grants Withheld as Review Underway
The Trump administration has announced a significant delay in the distribution of federal education grants, totaling over $6 billion. The decision, communicated to states just before the usual July 1 disbursement, has raised concerns among school districts planning for the upcoming academic year.
The U.S. Education Department informed state officials that the grants, which include Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B programs, are under review due to the recent change in administrations. “Given the change in Administrations, the Department is reviewing the FY 2025 funding for the [Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, IV-B] grant program(s), and decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming year,” stated the department.
This decision came to light through communications shared with NPR by various sources, including The School Superintendents Association (AASA). The grants will not be released “prior to completing that review,” the department added.
“This is definitely unprecedented to my knowledge,” remarked Tara Thomas, government affairs manager at AASA. She emphasized the importance of reliable funding for school districts, describing the withholding of grants as “incredibly disruptive.”
The Department of Education has not yet responded to NPR’s request for comment. However, their message assured that the department “remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.”
The grants affected by this review support a variety of educational programs, such as migrant education, before- and after-school initiatives, and services for English language learners. Notably, approximately $2.2 billion is allocated for professional development for educators, which is crucial for ongoing teacher training. “At the end of the day, it’s really just funding that makes teachers better at their jobs,” Thomas explained.
This isn’t the first instance of these programs being targeted by the Trump administration. The proposed FY 2026 budget had previously suggested the elimination of these five grants.
Despite the current review, key funding streams like Title I and IDEA remain unaffected. Title I supports districts in lower-income areas, while IDEA provides aid for students with disabilities.
Among the impacted programs is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, which aids academic enrichment outside regular school hours. In a low-income district in Maine, about 90 miles from Portland, this grant funds various student activities, including outdoor adventures, theater, and robotics, which otherwise may not be possible.
Dawn Fickett, who leads the program in district MSAD 54, told NPR that losing these programs would significantly impact students. “Having a place for our youth to go to be engaged, sparking joy and learning, is a great way to keep kiddos off our streets and out of trouble,” she stated.
Reporting contributed by: Jonaki Mehta
