Superintendents are scrambling to figure out what to do with programs funded by the money now under review
Key Points
- The Trump administration is freezing nearly $7 billion in education funding already approved by Congress.
- The White House says the move is due to an ongoing review that found grants subsidizing a “radical leftwing agenda.”
- School districts nationwide are scrambling to address budget shortfalls as the new school year approaches.
On Monday, state education leaders across the country got a brief but startling email from the Education Department.
Nearly $7 billion in education funding—which Congress had approved and President Trump signed into law in March—wouldn’t be released as expected the following day. The email didn’t elaborate on why, mentioning a review.
With the new school year not far off, the funding freeze has sent superintendents from California to Rhode Island scrambling to figure out how to handle a shortfall. The money had been earmarked for a range of activities, including after-school programs, teacher training, adult education and support for students learning English.
The Wall Street Journal
By Matt Barnum
July 4, 2025 10:00 am ET