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Friday, July 11, 2025AfiSectionindianapolisrecorder.comBy ALEKSANDRA APPLETONChalkbeat IndianaAn estimated $107 million in federal funds to support after-school programs, academic enrichment, English language learners, and more in Indiana are in limbo following a%u00a0decision by the Trump administration to withhold the funding%u00a0as it completes a program review.States expected to receive more than $7 billion in federal K-12 education funding on July 1, but were told on June 30 that the applications were still under review. The pause is part of an ongoing push by the Trump administration to ensure that no federal funds are flowing to programs that support what it describes as illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.On July 3, Indiana education officials said in a weekly newsletter that additional information %u201cwill be shared with schools as we know more about these allocations.%u201d The department reiterated the statement in response to questions from Chalkbeat.In a statement announcing the pause to states, the U.S. Department of Education said, %u201cdecisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year.%u201dFunding could have an impact this school yearIndiana has already taken steps to verify that the state%u2019s schools do not engage in diversity, equity and inclusion practices in order to preserve federal funding.It%u2019s not clear yet how the latest decision by the administration will affect Indiana, where students return to schools as early as July 24.The allocations for the affected programs in the 2025-26 school year, as approved by Congress in March, were expected to stay the same as in the previous year. Here%u2019s what they totaled in 2024-25:$41.2 million for Title II-A, which supports professional development for teachers and administrators;$20.7 million for Title IV-A, which supports academic enrichment and%u00a0can include%u00a0STEM, music, and arts education, technology access, as well as programs to prevent bullying and abuse;$19.9 million for Title IV-B, which is for%u00a0before- and after-school care programs%u00a0known as 21st Century Community Learning Centers;$12.8 million for adult basic and literacy education;$10.1 million for Title III-A, which supports English learner programs; and$2.5 million for migrant educationThe announcement blindsided outof-school care providers, which were counting on the funds being released in order to hire staff and prepare for the upcoming school year, said Brent Wake, senior vice president of engagement for the Indiana Afterschool Network.Top of FormThe 21st Century Community Learning Centers serve 20,000 students in 200 communities in Indiana, Wake said. Many offer free or low-cost care, which includes academic enrichment, homework help, and social emotional learning.%u201cWe%u2019re taking programs that work and removing necessary funding and saying %u2018good luck,%u2019%u201d Wake said.If the funds are not released quickly, some providers may face decisions about cutting staff or hours, or eliminating programs for the upcoming school year, Wake said. Others may need to close their doors.The Title IV-B grant is the largest source of dedicated funding for beforeand after-school programs, Wake said. The centers may be supplemented by private donations, tuition charged to families, or the state%u2019s two childcare assistance programs %u2014 the Child Care and Development Fund and On My Way Pre-K. Both state programs currently have waitlists.Wake said providers had been preparing to advocate to preserve a dedicated funding stream for 21st Century Community Learning Centers in the 2026-27 budget, which sought to consolidate many federal grant programs into block funding for states.Indiana agreed to strip DEI, racial and ethnic studies to save fundingThis is not the first time this year that federal education funding has been at risk over concerns that programs it funds do not align with the new administration%u2019s goals.In April, the Department of Education told states that in order to receive federal funding, they must certify that their schools do not engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Indiana education officials said they%u00a0would comply.During this year%u2019s legislative session, lawmakers also%u00a0stripped state requirements%u00a0related to racial and ethnic studies electives, citing a request by the Indiana Department of Education amid concerns that the state could risk losing its federal funding.The state previously required high schools to offer one semester of a racial or ethnic studies class each school year, but did not require students to take it.Republican lawmakers said during the session that $1 billion in federal funding was at risk if lawmakers did not remove the course requirement. Democrats pushed back on the change.Aleksandra Appleton covers Indiana education policy and writes about K-12 schools across the state. Contact her at%u00a0aappleton@chalkbeat.org.MONEY FOR INDIANA AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN LIMBO AFTER TRUMP FREEZEEighth graders at Enlace Academy in Indianapolis analyze comments from a 2024 presidential debate in English class. The Trump administration said it would withhold federal K-12 education funding as it reviews programs. (Photo/Amelia Pak-Harvey via Chalkbeat)