$25.1M In Federal Education Grant Funding For New Hampshire Under Review: See Impacted Programs

CONCORD, NH — The Trump administration is reviewing 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 in New Hampshire.

Without the money, some school officials say they will be unable to provide free or affordable after-school care for low-income children while their families are at work, and may also struggle to hire staff to teach English to children who are learning the Language. Even classes or summer camps already underway this summer could be in jeopardy.

At the same time, the review is a standard procedure that occurs with all federal grants.

Frank Edelblut, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education, informed districts and program administrators of the review Thursday.

In the email, he stated districts with available unspent federal funds in five programs have until September to obligate the fiscal year 2023-2024 grants, two school years ago. Grants issued for FY24-25 have until September 2026, or more than a year after the school year ended, to obligate those funds. Districts, Edelblut said, that have already budgeted and received approval for unspent funds can, modify those activities with other allowable activities in the department’s management system.

“We recognize that this situation brings uncertainty to budgets and program planning,” he said. “NHED is actively working with federal partners and internally to support your students and staff. We remain committed to timely communication as updates emerge. In the meantime, thank you for your continued leadership, which is especially valuable during this time.”

No decisions, however, have been made concerning submissions and awards for the 2025-2026 academic year. The review aims to “ensure taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” according to a message sent to state education departments by the federal government.

After-School Programs At Risk

According to the Learning Policy Institute, New Hampshire may lose $25.1 million, or 17.2 percent of K-12 funding, if the programs are eliminated after the review.

The six grant programs under review include one establishing 21st Century Community Learning Centers. According to the Learning Policy Institute, New Hampshire would lose $6,515,398.

Grant funding is the primary federal funding source for after-school programs and supports more than 10,000 local programs nationwide, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Afterschool Alliance. Each state runs its own competition to distribute the grants, which totaled $1.3 billion this fiscal year.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America rely on some of the withheld money to operate camps and other summer programs for low-income students. If funding isn't restored soon, the programming may end mid-season, Boys and Girls Club President Jim Clark told The Associated Press.

After-school programming in the fall could also take a hit.

“If these funds are blocked, the fallout will be swift and devastating,” Clark said.

As many as 926 Boys and Girls Clubs could close, affecting more than 220,000 kids, the group said.

What Else Could Be Cut?

The other programs and the effect of cuts on New Hampshire if the funding is eliminated, according to the Learning Policy Institute, are:

• $10,835,611 in Supporting Effective Instruction
• $1,012,250 for English Language Acquisition
• $6,659,535 in Student Support and Academic Enrichment
• $66,570 for Migrant Education

Programs Targeted In Trump’s Budget

Programs that rely on the money were expecting it to be distributed July 1, but an Education Department notice issued June 30 announced the money would not be released while the programs are under review.

The department did not provide a timeline. Some advocates fear the grants are being targeted for elimination, which could force schools to cut programs and teachers. Trump’s 2026 budget proposal called for Congress to zero out all the programs under review, signaling the administration sees them as unnecessary.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) pressed the administration to spend the money as Congress intended.

"Every day that this funding is held up is a day that school districts are forced to worry about whether they'll have to cut back on after-school programs or lay off teachers instead of worrying about how to make sure our kids can succeed," Murray said in a statement.

“Trump is illegally impounding billions of dollars appropriated by Congress to serve students this fiscal year,” Tony Thurmond, California's state superintendent, said in a statement. “The Administration is punishing children when states refuse to cater to Trump's political ideology.”

Other Funds Increase In NH

The New Hampshire Department of Education reported the federal department awarded formula grants to the state in higher amounts, approximately $9 million more than in 2024, to support disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and career and technical education programs, among others.

As part of the typical annual process, New Hampshire received its preliminary allocations for Title I-A, Perkins, Title IV-A, McKinney-Vento, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds from the U.S. Department of Education. These allocations are now being calculated and distributed across the state. The department shared preliminary allocations with local school districts and expects to provide additional details soon, enabling school officials to finalize their budgets as is standard practice by July 1.

“Despite recent concerns that education grants could be drastically reduced, New Hampshire has received equal to or even more funding for specific formula grants than it did last year,” Edelblut said on June 23. “This investment ensures that federal dollars are reaching our local classrooms where they are needed the most for low-income students and our highest needs students, while also alleviating concerns that these important services could be in jeopardy. These preliminary federal allocations are directed to students and educators who require support, helping them to address important academic needs and challenges so that our children can be successful.”

Those grants include:

• Formula grants to school districts through Title I, Part A provide opportunities to help children meet proficiency standards by offering supplemental support through enriched and accelerated education programs and professional development for school personnel. New Hampshire recently received a total of $46,343,728 in Title I-A preliminary allocations for local education agencies, compared to a final allocation last year of $44,646,631. New Hampshire also recently received $355,862 in Title I, Part D, Subpart 2, preliminary allocations.

• Perkins V CTE grants are allocated by formula to local education agencies and area career and technical schools, as well as community colleges and other institutions that offer CTE programs aimed at preparing students for the workforce. New Hampshire received a total of $7,020,601 in preliminary Perkins V allocations, which is the same amount as last year.

• IDEA funds include formula grants to support special education and early intervention services, as well as discretionary grants to ensure children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education. New Hampshire received a total award of $56,713,037 in preliminary IDEA allocations, which is the same amount as last year. Among this total amount, $49,154,936 is allocated to local education agencies.

• Title IV, Part A, known as the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program, aims to improve school conditions for student learning and the use of technology to advance academic achievement, as well as provide all students with access to a well-rounded education. New Hampshire received a total of $6,358,350 in Title IV-A preliminary allocations for LEA subgrants compared to last year’s award of $6,326,558.

• McKinney-Vento protects the educational rights of children experiencing homelessness and is designed to address the challenges that homeless children and youth face while enrolling, attending and succeeding in school. New Hampshire received a total federal award of $350,796 compared to last year’s amount of $323,138.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Editor's note: Most of the text for this post was scripted by another Patch staffer, not New Hampshire's editor, for publication on New Hampshire sites.