At least $84M for SC schools tied up in Trump administration’s funding freeze
School districts in South Carolina could miss out on millions of dollars that were expected to come from the federal government this year.
An estimated $6 billion in federal education funding that would have been available to schools starting July 1 is currently being withheld by the Trump administration to review whether the money is being “misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda,” the Associated Press reported. At least $84 million of that money would have gone to support programs in South Carolina.
The S.C. Department of Education says the affected programs cover migrant education, programs for English language learners, and support for students and teachers, according to a breakdown from the department.
“While no final decisions have been made at the federal level, we must take prudent steps to prepare for all outcomes,” said a memo about the funding freeze that has been sent to the state’s superintendents.
The memo emphasized that “allocations are delayed, not canceled,” and that final grants typically arrive in late summer or early fall. The memo encouraged districts to continue to make grant requests in a way that “enables potential retroactive spending should [the U.S. Department of Education] approve the funds.”
“We are not signaling cuts or permanent reductions, but it is wise to prepare,” the memo says. The department “is developing internal strategies and encourages each district to assess impacts on programming, staffing and services should delays extend into the fall.”
Districts should evaluate affected programs and potential funding sources and report back to the state by July 15, the memo says.
“I would not want to be a district chief financial officer right now,” said Patrick Kelly, the director of governmental affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association. “These were funds appropriated by Congress in the omnibus spending bill earlier this spring. And if it’s appropriated, for 50-plus years, they were going to be disbursed.”
What does the federal money pay for?
According to 2024 federal disbursements, South Carolina schools could miss out on: $36.4 million in grants for supporting effective instruction; $20.6 million for student support and academic enrichment; $19.8 million for 21st century community learning centers; $6.4 million for English language acquisition and enhancement; and $1.1 million to assist with the education of migrant children, the education department said.
The National Education Association estimates that South Carolina schools could ultimately miss out on more than $94 million, including another $9.8 million in state grants for adult education, literacy, English and civics.
The White House Office of Management and Budget told the AP the previously approved funding will be reviewed to ensure it is spent in a way that aligns with President Donald Trump’s priorities, citing concerns that some of the funding was being used to support immigrants in the country illegally or to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Sherry East, president of the South Carolina Education Association, said she worries the hold-up will end up costing people their jobs.
“There’s one or two people in every district who works with ESOL kids,” East said, using the initials for “English for speakers of other languages.” “Those positions might get cut. ... That would be right in line with the message [from the administration], ‘We don’t care about immigrant kids.’”
She worries other programs facing cuts could be teacher training and support programs that are meant to ultimately improve students’ academic achievement, although its unclear what programs or activities may ultimately be affected. She fears smaller counties that already have a low tax base and shortage of teachers may be the least able to cope with a loss of federal funding.
Kelly said the cuts could have the most immediate impact on after-school and summer programs for students.
“We know those programs are really effective in moving the needle for student achievement and in combating the summer slide,” he said. “If you lose those programs, I worry what that would mean for lower-achieving students.”
“Can states act as a backstop?” Kelly asked. “Maybe, but every decision has a trade off.”
What about schools in the Midlands?
Midlands school districts contacted by The State could not immediately identify what the impact of the freeze might be. A spokesperson for the Lexington 1 school district said the funds are not made available to the district on July 1, but rather that’s when activities can begin to be expensed to federal programs. The district also has the option of rolling over grant funding from prior years, which protects against any immediate shortfall.
“District staff is working to learn more about last week’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Education,” said district spokeswoman Libby Roof in an email. “Lexington One does receive funds from at least some of those federal grants, and we have started working on contingency plans in case of possible delays in receiving any of these grant funds.”
The Lexington 2 school district reported that Cayce-West Columbia schools received $798,000 from the affected programs in the most recent school year.
Hannah Wade and Riley Edenbeck contributed to this story.
This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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