Trump Freezes $6B in School Funds Just Before Academic Year Begins

🇺🇸 Trump Admin Freezes $6 Billion in Public School Grants Ahead of School Year

Just weeks before U.S. schools reopen, the Trump administration has frozen over $6 billion in federal education grants, hitting public school systems across the country. These funds—vital for low-income, rural, and special needs students—cover programs like after-school enrichment, English learning, adult literacy, and teacher training.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) confirmed the halt via a memo on June 30, stating no new awards would be issued until a review concludes. While $1.4 billion has since been released under bipartisan pressure, over $5 billion remains frozen.

The move has drawn legal backlash: over 20 states, including California and Connecticut, are suing the administration, citing unlawful targeting of programs that serve marginalized students. Connecticut estimates a $53.6 million loss in just one year.

Education groups fear the freeze may:

Increase class sizes

Reduce support for special education and early literacy

Disproportionately affect rural areas, disabled students, and English learners

Critics also suggest the action could politically penalize Democrat-led states that heavily rely on public education funding, though no formal connection has been admitted.

As lawsuits proceed and Congress pressures the administration, school districts face tough decisions on staffing and services. Without timely intervention, educators warn that long-term equity and learning outcomes could be severely impacted.