The Department of Education announced Friday the release of more than $5 billion of funding to schools after an almost monthlong pause.
At the beginning of July, the Trump administration paused the typical release of almost $7 billion in funding to schools that went toward after-school and summer activities, classes for English learners and adults and teacher preparation programs, among other things.
Last week, the administration released more than $1 billion for after-school and summer programs but declined to say when the rest would be released.
“OMB has completed its review of Title I-C, Title II-A, Title III-A, and Title IV-A ESEA funds and Title II WIOA funds, and has directed the Department to release all formula funds. The agency will begin dispersing funds to states next week,” said Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications for the Education Department.
Republicans were quick to celebrate the release many had fought for.
Both of West Virginia’s Republican senators, Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, quickly reacted to news.
“This supports critical programs so many West Virginians rely on and I made that clear to OMB Director Vought,” Capito said on X, referring to Russ Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.
“The release of these funds will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the kids of West Virginia,” Justice, a former governor, said on X.
Capito had led an effort among Senate Republicans earlier this month to push for the funding release.
“Exciting news to announce! All frozen education funding for the upcoming school year have been released, following my letter to the OMB! It helps centers like @KidsCanOmaha and our schools!” Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) posted.
The White House argued the funds were paused because some money was going to a “radical leftwing agenda.”
An administration official told The Washington Post “guardrails” have been put on the money to align with the administration’s agenda, similar language described in the release of the first $1 billion. It is unclear what these guardrails are or how they will affect the funding.
The move received bipartisan pushback, with a letter from 10 Republican senators and a lawsuit from Democratic-led states demanding the funds be released.
The pause in funds led to delays and closures in some programs and layoffs at schools in Alaska.
“We are pleased public schools will receive the funding as appropriated by Congress for the 2025-26 school year. On the heels of our survey released Tuesday, detailing how disruptive withholding these funds would be for our nation’s students, we thank our members and allies on the Hill. We appreciate their tireless advocacy, communication and outreach to the Administration about the importance of releasing these critical funds,” said David Schuler, executive director of The School Superintendents Association.
