President Donald Trump's administration is withholding roughly $7 billion in funding that was meant for schools, causing outrage and panic.
The K-12 education funds were originally scheduled to be released on July 1, 2025, after being approved by Congress earlier this year. The money includes $890 million that was designed to assist English learners develop their language skills and $375 million that was supposed to go to the academic support of children of migrant farmworkers.
Withholding $7 Billion in School Funds
The withheld money also includes $2.2 billion in Title II funds that support teacher training, $1.4 billion for before- and after-school programs, and $1.3 billion to fund various academic enrichment programs. The latter includes STEM and college and career counseling.
Following the development, various states, Democratic lawmakers, and education advocacy groups are calling on the Trump administration to release the funds. They are calling the decision to hold the money an illegal act of impoundment.
On the other hand, the Education Department referred inquiries to the White House Office of Management and Budget. Congress previously approved the billions of dollars as part of a continuing budget resolution in March, according to Chalkbeat.
Despite the approval, the Trump administration announced on Monday that it has not yet decided on how the money should be used or allocated. It added that it would not be sending funding notices until officials complete a review.
California education officials said in a Tuesday press conference that the current administration's letter indicated that the fund was being held back to ensure that the money would be spent in accordance with the president's priorities.
On top of not giving a detailed explanation on why the fund is being withheld, the current administration provided no timeline for when the money could be expected to be released. It only said that authorities are committed to ensuring that taxpayer resources are used properly, the New York Times reported.
Criticizing the Government's Decision
The executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, Jodi Grant, said that the situation is "catastrophic." Many believe that the decision would be challenged in court, and others have already criticized the move, with some citing Congress's previous approval.
The Trump administration's decision to withhold the money now puts day camp providers and schools in a difficult place. They are left in limbo, trying to budget for programs this summer and in the upcoming school year.
Schools argue that without the funds, they will not be able to provide free or affordable after-school care for low-income children while their parents are at work. Additionally, it can result in failure to hire staff to teach students who are learning English, as per the Associated Press.
