Trump administration withholds millions in funding for South Carolina schools

FEB 5, 2025 – President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly drafting an executive order that would strip the department of a good portion of its funding. (Photo: WLOS Staff)

(WCIV) — The Trump administration is withholding millions in funding that South Carolina schools were supposed to receive on July 1.

It’s part of a freeze on more than $6 billion in Congressionally approved grants while the Department of Education reviews them.

The impacted grants constitute around 13% of the federal funding South Carolina schools received last year, totaling more than $84 million, according to the Learning Policy Institute.

Now, Lowcountry school districts are navigating the unknown.

“We are going to be asked to do more with less,” said Kat Low, a high school teacher and president of the Berkeley County Education Association.

It’s a mantra Low has gotten used to after more than 20 years of teaching in South Carolina public schools.

She says these funding freezes are forcing her to channel that adage once again.

“It can be a real burnout for us if we are looking at a situation that is very uncertain, right? If we’re looking at situations where programs we anticipated that we would be having are gone,” she explained.

The pause in money gives federal officials up to 90 days to review how six different grant programs align with the White House’s priorities.

“The opportunity is to see does this comply with how President Trump or the new Department of Education with Secretary McMahon would look to the opportunity of where those grant monies should be going,” said Mark Owens, a political science professor at The Citadel.

The Trump administration has accused some states of using education grants to fund a “radical leftwing agenda.”

“Many of these grant programs have been grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda,” the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement to the Associated Press.

The main grant areas targeted include:

• Migrant Education
• Supporting Effective Instruction
• English language Acquisition
• Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program
• Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center

Support for teachers’ professional development is at risk, something Low sees as having dire consequences.

“The conditions in which teachers and support staff are working in are the same conditions that the kids are in,” she said.

These grants also target efforts to reduce class size, which is a growing concern across the tri-county area as fast-paced growth continues.

“It’s not just like every single class is blowing up, it’s that we have to go back to the most basic things that we can provide for students,” Low explained.” Some of those specialized classes that the older students really are looking for are just not going to be available.”

In the 2024-25 school year, the Charleston County School District received roughly $4.4 million from the impacted grants.

“District staff members are currently reviewing plans on how to move forward, but nothing has been finalized at this time,” Charleston County School District said in a statement. “We still plan to administer the Fiscal Year 2026 budget as approved and will make necessary changes if and when required.”

Dorchester School District Two was awarded about $1.6 million last year.

“We are in regular communication with the SCDE and will continue to follow all guidance and recommendations they provide,” Dorchester School District Two officials said. “Our district remains committed to ensuring a successful school year for all students and staff, and we will take all necessary steps to support teaching and learning throughout this process.”

Dorchester School District Four and the Berkeley County School District could not provide News 4 with the numbers as of publication.

Dorchester School District Four, however, said it was “closely monitoring the situation” and continuing to work with various agencies to ensure no disruption happens for students and families.

“We remain committed to maintaining the quality of education and support our community expects,” the district said, “and we will make necessary adjustments to minimize any potential impact.”

While frozen, the Congress-approved funds can’t disappear completely, Owens said.

“The Impoundment Act, which gives the president the ability to review these grants, also determines the fact that he cannot cancel the funding,” he said. “So, the funding will have to go somewhere in order to still maintain the coequal branches of government.”

The funds could only be canceled completely with a vote from Congress.