The federal funding would have been spent on educator development, academic enrichment, before-and-after-school programs and other programs.
HARTFORD, Conn. — Earlier this week, the administration of President Donald Trump withheld over $6.8 billion in federal K-12 funding for the 2025-2026 school year, baffling educators across the United States.
Connecticut public school districts and community organizations are among those impacted, as they’ve lost an estimated $53.6 million.
That’s according to the School and State Finance Project, a nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring equitable education funding for all Connecticut students. The group issued a report on Thursday identifying the challenges presented by Trump’s decision.
After being approved by Congress in March, the funds were expected to be distributed to state agencies on July 1, but the Trump Administration acted to ensure otherwise.
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In Connecticut, the money was meant to be spent on educator development, multilingual learners, before-and-after-school programs, academic enrichment, migrant education, adult education and wraparound services for students.
The School and State Finance Project says that the withheld funds equal over 10% of the federal funding Connecticut receives each year for K-12 education. All but seven of the state’s public-school districts are set to lose funding as a result.
Lawsuits will soon be filed by opponents of the Trump Administration in an effort to reverse the decision. Even if they are successful, it will likely take a lengthy legal process to reach a ruling.
If the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw the funds is upheld, the school districts in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury are estimated to lose between $2.7 and $3.8 million.
According to the School and State Finance Project, multiple community organizations in Connecticut will experience significant drops in funding, especially ones that receive Title IV grants for before-and-after-school programs.
Organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, early learning centers, religious organizations and workforce centers will be heavily affected.
The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System is projected to lose around $900,000 as well.
The seven public school operators who will be unimpacted by the withheld funding were not expected to receive money from the affected federal programs or grants.
These districts and institutions include Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Hartland, Norfolk, Norwich Free Academy, The Gilbert School and The Woodstock Academy.
The School and State Finance Project’s full report can be seen here.
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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