Michiganders grill Trump after administration freezes $157 million in federal education funding

By Lucas Henkel

July 9, 2025

As school programs are being reviewed to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s priorities, Michiganders and education advocates from across the state are speaking out.

Education leaders and advocates across the country are urging President Donald Trump and his administration to release the nearly $7 billion in federal funding for K-12 public schools—including over $157 million for Michigan school districts—that was promised to them by July 1.

“The legislature did more than just miss an important deadline…. These federal dollars support some of our most economically disadvantaged and vulnerable students,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice, in a statement.

The withheld funding includes over $63.7 million in Title II funds for staff professional development, $36.7 million in Title IV-B funds for out-of-school time (OST) program funding, $38.3 million in Title IV-A funds for academic enrichment programs, $5.4 million in Title I-C funds for migrant education, and $12.8 million in Title III funds for English learners.

While a spokesperson for the US Office of Management and Budget has said there is an “ongoing programmatic review” of federal education funding to ensure it aligns with Trump’s education priorities—such as removing diversity initiatives in schools and teacher training programs—no decisions have yet been made as to when the funding will be released.

In the meantime, as the Michigan Department of Education works with colleagues across the country and with legal counsel, Rice and other Michigan education advocates are urging the legislature to work together and pass the school aid budget within the next few weeks so that school districts have time to make necessary adjustments to hiring and other spending.

“Getting funding right for our students is critical now more than ever,” said Chandra Madafferi, President and CEO of the Michigan Education Association, in a statement.

“Michigan students and the educators who serve them every day deserve a budget that invests in their success. Lawmakers shouldn’t settle for an education budget that doesn’t invest every dollar possible toward providing every student—in rural, urban, and suburban communities alike —the opportunity to succeed.”

Author

Lucas Henkel

Lucas Henkel is a Reporter & Strategic Communications Producer for COURIER based in mid-Michigan, covering community stories and public policies across the country. His award-winning work shows his passion for local storytelling and amplifying issues that matter to communities nationwide.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: EDUCATION

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Michiganders and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at The 'Gander has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Michigan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.