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Hundreds of millions in federal education grants owed to Florida have been paused

Districts expected to receive the funding by July 1

Posted

BRADENTON — The Trump administration has paused more than $6 billion in funding already appropriated by Congress that could affect after-school, student support, teacher training, English language, adult literacy, and other education programs. Some $347 million of the paused funding is for programs in Florida.

The administration says that it paused the funds so that it could complete a review to ensure federal education grants were aligned with the president's priorities. The uncertainty of the funding has made it difficult for schools to know whether they will be able to continue providing programs related to free or affordable after-school care for low-income kids with working parents, adequate ESOL staff, and summer classes/camps.

The $347 million is from six different federal grant programs and represents 15 percent of Florida's K-12 federal funding. Grant funding is the primary federal funding source for after-school programs and supports more than 10,000 local programs nationwide, including partnerships with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Other grant programs that were paused, and the value they represent to Florida include:

  • $124.5 million in grants for teacher professional development and efforts to reduce class size.
  • $76 million for academic enrichment grants
  • $56.5 million for students who are learning English
  • $17 million to educate the children of migrant workers.

The funding was scheduled to be distributed July 1. However, an Education Department notice issued on June 30 announced that the money would not be released while the programs were under review. No timeline for the funding was given, and the department warned that "decisions have not yet been made" on grants for the upcoming school year, leading some administrators to worry that the plan was to eliminate some or all of the grants.

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  • lib224

    More Trumplican insanity!

    Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Report this

  • GoldenGopher

    The State of Florida can fund these initiatives. It has ample funds. It’s less than the cost of operating one detention center in the Everglades. That should demonstrate DeSantis’ and Trump’s priorities.

    Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Report this

  • NikkiforPalmetto

    Enjoy the dictator that you elected, America.

    Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Report this