Update 3:51pm July 25, 2025: The Trump administration has released $5.5 billion, the total outstanding balance of withheld funds, in grants following bipartisan pressure. More than $1 billion for after-school programs was previously released. Fund dispersal is expected to begin the week of July 28. This is a developing story.
Charlottesville City and Albemarle County schools are now short more than $1 million in federal grants, following a funding freeze by the Trump administration.
Roughly $6.2 billion in education funds slated for July 1 dispersal have been withheld, including $108 million for Virginia. The money was allocated by a Republican-controlled Congress in March.
Albemarle County and Charlottesville City schools expect $660,000 and $417,000 in losses, respectively, according to July 21 statements from Superintendents Matthew Haas and Royal Gurley.
Potential federal cuts were a major part of budget discussions for both the city and county earlier this year. While the funding freeze isn’t a complete surprise for CCS and ACPS, it does throw a wrench in the districts’ finances.
“In the short term we have carryover funds that will enable us to soften the blow,” wrote Gurley in a July 22 post to ParentSquare. “Should these cuts become permanent, we will feel the impacts in areas including services for English language learners, professional development for staff, and some staff stipends and contract services.”
A fact sheet released by ACPS indicates that the freeze affects funds for migrant education (Title I, Part C), professional development (Title II, Part A), language instruction for English learners and immigrant students (Title III), and student support and academic enrichment programs (Title IV, Part A).
“Given the change in Administrations, the Department is reviewing the FY 2025 funding … and decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year,” reads a June 30 statement from the U.S. Department of Education, which was released by the School Superintendents Association. “The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.”
More than two dozen states have filed suit against the education department calling for the release of the funds. At press time, Virginia has not joined the suit.
