$50 billion in US education grants at risk: Here’s why the layoffs could shut them down before Congress acts
The US Department of Education has issued layoff notices to 465 staff, threatening the operation of over 40 education grant programmes worth more than $50 billion annually. The affected offices oversee major initiatives like Title I, IDEA, and TRIO. A temporary court halt is in place, but the Trump administration plans to continue the cuts. Without staff to manage grants, funding distribution and compliance monitoring may cease—even if Congress continues to fund the programmes.
The US Department of Education has issued layoff notices to 465 staff, threatening the operation of over 40 education grant programmes worth more than $50 billion annually. The affected offices oversee major initiatives like Title I, IDEA, and TRIO. A temporary court halt is in place, but the Trump administration plans to continue the cuts. Without staff to manage grants, funding distribution and compliance monitoring may cease—even if Congress continues to fund the programmes.
