Trump order puts $700M in grants on pause for Louisiana schools

(The Center Square) — Federal funding for 13 federal grants awarded to Louisiana schools is on pause following a sweeping directive issued by the Trump administration to freeze all federal financial assistance programs, according to public records from the Louisiana Department of Education.

The Office of Management and Budget memorandum implements a temporary freeze as agencies reevaluate programs to align with President Trump’s new executive orders.

The directive covers funding streams tied to priorities deemed at odds with President Trump’s torrent of executive orders, including immigration policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, gender ideology programs, and environmental efforts linked to the Green New Deal.

For Louisiana, the freeze impacts 13 federal grant programs awarded to the state education department, with a total value exceeding $726 million annually. While some programs may withstand scrutiny, others could face significant cuts or elimination.

“President Trump is acting swiftly and efficiently to implement his campaign promises,” officials from the state education department told The Center Square. “We are reviewing all of the recent actions taken by the new administration and will collaborate with other agencies and school systems on appropriate guidance or policy shifts.”

President Trump’s strong anti-immigration stance may mean heightened scrutiny for Louisiana’s Title III English Language Acquisition Grant, valued at $5.2 million for fiscal 2025. The grant includes allocations for enhancing instructional opportunities for immigrant children and youth. These funds are designated to improve language instruction and provide targeted academic support.

“Many of these aliens unlawfully within the United States present significant threats to national security and public safety…” reads one of Trump’s executive orders on immigration, adding that “their presence in the United States has cost taxpayers billions of dollars at the Federal, State, and local levels.”

The memorandum pauses other programs that support students with disabilities, homeless youth, rural schools, and career technical education. Among the largest grants include:

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: $225.9 million awarded in 2025 to ensure free and appropriate education for children with disabilities.Title I Grants: $394.7 million for schools in low-income areas to address educational disparities.Student Support and Academic Enrichment: $29.9 million to improve access to a well-rounded education and enhance digital literacy.

Smaller but essential programs, such as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grant ($2.7 million) and the Rural Education Achievement Program ($4.2 million), also face uncertainty.