Education Department Freezes Over $6 Billion in School Funding Nationwide

The Trump administration has withheld approximately $6.2 billion in federally approved education funds, delaying allocations intended for programs supporting migrant students, English learners, after-school and summer programs, and teacher training nationwide. This funding freeze affects at least 10% of federal K-12 education support in many states, with some states like California and New York facing losses exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars. School districts, including Little Rock School District, are canceling programs and reviewing staff positions amid the uncertainty, as the funds—approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump—remain unreleased due to an ongoing review aligned with the administration's priorities. The Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Education have not specified when the funds will be distributed, intensifying concerns about disruption to educational services for vulnerable populations. Education advocates criticize the move as government overreach that undermines congressionally approved programs, warning that the delay jeopardizes essential services for millions of students and complicates schools’ budget planning for the upcoming academic year. Officials emphasize adherence to the President's priorities and statutory responsibilities, but the lack of transparency has drawn strong pushback from states and education organizations.