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The Trump administration has withheld over $6 billion in federal funding intended for after-school and summer programs, affecting services like English language instruction and teacher training. This decision, announced by the Department of Education, has left many programs uncertain about their future funding.
The funds, allocated by Congress, were expected to be released by Tuesday (July 1). However, the Education Department notified state agencies that the money would not be available, stating that the funds are under review to ensure alignment with President Donald Trump's priorities. The administration has not provided a timeline for when, or if, the funds will be released.
The withheld funds impact programs that serve approximately 1.4 million students, mostly from low-income families. Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, described the situation as "catastrophic," noting that the funding supports about 20 percent of all students in after-school programs nationally.
The decision has drawn criticism from Democrats and teachers' unions, who argue that the funds were legally appropriated by Congress and approved by President Trump in March. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, called the move "lawless" and emphasized its potential legal challenges.
The Trump administration has been pursuing an aggressive approach to reduce the federal government's role in education, including plans to dismantle the Department of Education. While only Congress can abolish the department, the administration has been cutting education staffing and funding.
The decision to withhold these funds has sparked concern about the potential impact on summer and after-school programs, with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club warning that some prog