The Trump administration has confirmed the release of more than $6 billion in federal education funds previously withheld for review, easing concerns among school districts nationwide as the new academic year approaches. The Department of Education announced Friday that the freeze, which impacted funding for Title I-C, Title II-A, Title III-A, Title IV-A under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, has been lifted following a month-long review.
The funding, which supports critical programming including English language acquisition, teacher development, adult education, and summer learning, had been paused by the Office of Management and Budget to assess whether any programs "grossly misused" funds to advance what the administration characterized as a "radical leftwing agenda." A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed the release of all funds after OMB completed its review.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon told ABC News Thursday that the review was focused on ensuring alignment with student-centered goals. "We want to make sure that we have the right focus on what we're trying to do with our students," McMahon said.
The freeze, first implemented on June 30, sparked widespread concern from education leaders and lawmakers. Last week, a coalition of school districts and advocacy groups filed a lawsuit against the administration, challenging the legality of withholding congressionally approved funds. In parallel, Republican lawmakers, including Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Don Bacon, applied pressure through public statements and formal letters urging the administration to reverse the freeze.
Rep. Bacon, who represents Nebraska, took to X to celebrate the development: "All frozen education funding for the upcoming school year have been released, following my letter to the OMB!"
On July 18, the Trump administration had already released over $1 billion in funds designated for after-school and summer programs. At the time, a senior administration official noted that states receiving funds would need to adhere to newly imposed guardrails to ensure compliance moving forward.
Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications at the White House, told USA Today in an email dated July 25, "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."
