U.S. Dept. of Education releases withheld funds to states

Approximately $6 billion in previously-paused federal K-12 education funds will be released, the U.S. Department of Education said in a letter to states on July 25.

These funds, previously approved by Congress, had been held for review to ensure alignment with President Trump’s priorities. The department issued a June 30 notice to grantees outlining the funding pause, one day before the funds were expected to be available to states and local schools across the country.

$108 million in funding to Massachusetts schools was held up in the funding freeze.

Dispersal of the funds is expected to begin in the next week and continue through the end of the calendar year.

The withheld funds supported summer and afterschool activities, teacher training programs, migrant student education, behavioral and mental health supports, chronic absenteeism programs, classroom supplies, and more.

The Healey-Driscoll administration condemned the funding pause.

“Without this funding, districts are going to be forced to lay off staff, delay or cancel programs and services, and disrupt learning,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a July 7 statement. “Our schools were promised this funding, and the Trump administration needs to deliver it.”

Massachusetts joined with 23 other states and the District of Columbia to file suit against the Trump administration for the funding freeze, arguing that the funds in question had already received Congressional approval.