The administration of US President Donald Trump has cancelled dozens of federal education grants before their scheduled end dates, raising concerns among schools, colleges, and advocacy groups about a broader rollback of funding. The cancellations affect a range of competitive grants administered by the US Department of Education, with delays or terminations now jeopardising more than $1 billion in funding.Educators and organisations relying on ongoing grant support for critical programmes such as desegregation efforts, disability services, teacher training, school safety, and postsecondary access for low-income students have reported either sudden cancellations or a lack of communication from the department. According to EducationWeek, many recipients are still awaiting confirmation about funding that should have arrived weeks or even months ago.

Funding for multiple programmes under review
At least seven major education programmes have been affected, with funds not materialising for the new fiscal year. These include initiatives aimed at improving instruction for disadvantaged students, strengthening school-community engagement, expanding access to higher education for low-income families, and preparing schools for safety threats, both physical and virtual.

The Trump administration has attributed some cancellations to conflicts with the president’s executive orders. According to EducationWeek, these orders aim to restrict government support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the administration has referred to as promoting “radical indoctrination.” The White House stated in an August 7 executive order, “Every tax dollar the Government spends should improve American lives or advance American interests. This often does not happen.”

School desegregation and college access among affected areas
Among the affected programmes is the Magnet Schools Assistance Program, which funds schools that promote desegregation and integration. EducationWeek reported that at least three of 15 school districts expecting their annual grant round in April were informed in July that their funding would be delayed pending civil rights reviews. Although the remaining districts received their funding in July—approximately three months late—nearly 50 more districts are still waiting for their continuation awards, which are scheduled to begin on October 1.More than two dozen colleges have also received cancellation notices for multiyear TRIO grants, which are designed to help disadvantaged students enrol in and complete higher education. Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education, told EducationWeek that over $13 million in TRIO funding has been cancelled this year alone.

School safety programmes also face shutdown
The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Centre, which provides schools with resources to prepare for emergencies such as active shooter incidents and cyberattacks, has also been affected. In an email sent on a recent Friday, the centre informed its affiliates that it would shut down on September 18, despite receiving federal approval earlier this year to operate through at least 2030 with annual funding of $3 million. The email, written by the centre’s executive director Amanda Everett, did not explain the reason for the closure. Everett did not respond to a request for comment, EducationWeek reported.

Delays raise uncertainty for ongoing projects
Some grant recipients have stated that the delay in funding is unprecedented. In previous years, many would have received official notices weeks or even months in advance. Now, many report having received no updates from the Department of Education.

While it is still possible that some or all of the pending funds may eventually be released, EducationWeek noted that the department has not confirmed any timelines. A spokesperson for the agency did not respond to multiple requests for comment before publication. Last week, the department confirmed that hundreds of discretionary grants related to special education are under “ongoing” review.