Currently, Congress is navigating two budget processes: FY 25 Appropriations (Oct 1, 2024 – Sept 30, 2025) and FY 26 Appropriations (Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30 2026).

FY 25

On Thursday, May 22, the U.S House of Representatives passed its Reconciliation Bill. This process is typically used when the Executive Branch’s (the president’s) party is the majority in the Senate and the House but doesn’t have the necessary votes to pass fiscal legislation. This will allow for this legislation to pass quickly, aligning with the priorities of the current administration.

You can read more about this process here.

FY 26

President Trump released a “skinny budget” on May 2nd—an initial, high-level proposal without specific details (see pages 6–11).

The proposal calls for eliminating dedicated federal funding for afterschool programs and a total U.S. Department of Education budget cut of $12.4 billion (15%), including:

• A $4.535 billion cut across K–12 programs, while preserving Title I funding.
• A proposed $2 billion block grant that consolidates 18 K–12 programs, including 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), into a new “K–12 Simplified Funding Program” (a cut of $4.5 billion).
• Level funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), along with a new “Special Education Simplified Funding Program” that consolidates seven unnamed IDEA programs.
• The proposed elimination of TRIO, GEAR UP, Federal Work Study, and the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) programs.
• A $60 million funding increase for Charter Schools, bringing total funding to $500 million.

Check out this EdSource article for more information on the impacts on education.

The president’s full budget is expected to come out soon, where we hope to learn more detailed information. 

A more detailed Federal Update can be found here by the Institute for Educational Leadership. 

To read more about the Federal Budget process, check out this graphic. 

Want to Get Involved?

Afterschool Alliance Action Alert: Show your support for afterschool and summer programs by signing on to the Afterschool Alliance Action Alert.

CA3 Letter Template: Use this template to let your congressional representative know you’re alarmed by the proposed elimination of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program.

Stay Connected and Get Informed: Bookmark AfterschoolWorksforAmerica.org