U.S. Department of Education Makes Historic Grant Investments in Programs That Bolster Educational Outcomes

Today, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) announced that it is making historic investments in charter schools, American history and civics programs, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). These investments will be repurposed from programs that the Department determined are not in the best interest of students and families. The Department is using existing flexibilities in discretionary grant programs to advance President Trump's priorities and targeting resources toward the most effective interventions to bolster educational outcomes.

Following the release of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, which showed dismal educational outcomes across the nation, the Department plans to award grants totaling $500 million for charter schools to support education choice in fiscal year 2025. This marks the largest investment ever in the Charter Schools Program and fulfills a commitment the Department made earlier this year.

The Department is also making a significant, one-time investment in HBCUs and TCCUs to support the unique and historic contributions of these institutions of higher education. HBCUs and TCCUs will receive an additional $495 million on top of the anticipated FY 2025 investment, an increase of 48.4% percent and 109.3% percent, respectively. In total, HBCUs will receive over $1.34 billion and TCCUs will receive over $108 million from the Department for fiscal year 2025.

Finally, earlier this year, the Department released a notice inviting applications for new awards under the American History and Civics Education National Activities - Seminars for America's Semiquincentennial program. The announcement of the new competition roused the excitement of Americans to celebrate our great Nation and prompted more than 100 civil society organizations and institutions of higher education to submit applications. The Department anticipates that a new investment will result in a record number of awards supporting civics education across the country. In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of America's founding-and in support of the Trump Administration's priority to advance civic education-the Department will invest over $160 million in American history and civics grants.

"Today, the Department is making three massive investments - redirecting financial support away from ineffective and discriminatory programs toward those which support student success. We are proud to make the largest investment in the Charter Schools Grants Program in the Department's history, support American history programs that will inspire young people to be active and informed citizens, and recognize Historically Black Colleges and Universities' and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities' historic contributions to improving education and opportunity in our country," said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. "The Department has carefully scrutinized our federal grants, ensuring that taxpayers are not funding racially discriminatory programs but those programs which promote merit and excellence in education. The Trump Administration will use every available tool to meaningfully advance educational outcomes and ensure every American has the opportunity to succeed in life."

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