Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Trump administration is withholding over $6 billion in education grants for schools
The entrance of the U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C.
(
J. David Ake
/
Getty Images
)
On Monday, the Trump administration notified states that it was withholding over $6 billion in previously approved federal education grants to schools. The announcement came a day before the July 1 deadline when those funds have traditionally been dispersed, and will likely impact school districts' plans for the fall.
In messages sent to state education officials, the U.S. Education Department said, "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."
The message – which was shared with NPR by multiple sources, including The School Superintendents Association (AASA) — said grant money would not go out "prior to completing that review."
(To understand how this move affects school districts in Southern California, read: LA Unified to lose millions for English language learners, afterschool programs after Trump admin withholds funds)
Support for LAist comes from
"This is definitely unprecedented to my knowledge," said Tara Thomas, government affairs manager at AASA.
"Districts really need to be able to rely on stable funding so that they're able to responsibly plan and budget, and actions like this are incredibly disruptive to school districts across the country."
The Education Department has not yet replied to NPR's request for comment. In its message to state officials, the department also said it "remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President's priorities and the Department's statutory responsibilities."
The grants under review fund a wide range of programs for schools, including migrant education, before- and after- school programs and services for English language learners.
The largest pot of grant money under review consists of roughly $2.2 billion for professional development for educators. Thomas says districts often use these funds to help pay for continued teacher training: "At the end of the day, it's really just funding that makes teachers better at their jobs."
It's not the first time the Trump administration has singled-out these programs: The administration's proposed FY 2026 budget eliminated all five grants now under review.
Support for LAist comes from
Two of the most important federal funding streams to public schools — Title I, which provides money to help districts that serve lower-income communities, and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), which provides money to help districts serve students with disabilities — have so far not been disrupted.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, which supports academic enrichment before- and after-school, is among the programs impacted by this week's announcement.
In one low-income Maine district, about 90 miles north of Portland, that grant helps fund a host of activities for students that educators say they couldn't otherwise afford, including outdoor adventure, sewing, chess, robotics, theater and cooking.
Dawn Fickett, who heads that program in school district MSAD 54, told NPR in the spring that the loss of these activities would be a blow for students in her area. She said this programming has led to impressive academic and other gains.
"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 said.
Reporting contributed by: Jonaki Mehta
Copyright 2025 NPR
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed. -
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
-
The budget gap has led to a tuition hike, along with spending cuts and fewer course offerings. At the same time, generative AI already has transformed higher ed — including post-grad job prospects.
Best of LAist