Calculated and Catastrophic: Trump Administration Withholds Funding for Afterschool and Summer Learning Effective Immediately
Susan Stanton, Executive Director of ACT Now, issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration withholding $6.8 billion in education funds and impacting afterschool and summer learning programs in Illinois:
“The devastating withholding of afterschool and summer program funds from the federal government is unacceptable. Communities across Illinois know that afterschool and summer programs are providing invaluable learning opportunities for young people – keeping them safe, inspiring them to learn and grow, and giving working families peace of mind.”
State education agencies (SEAs) have historically received federal funding on July 1st for a variety of education programs to serve youth nationwide. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant is the primary federal funding stream for afterschool and summer learning programs and Congress has already appropriated funding in the FY25 budget for this purpose. This map shows the impact of losing 21st CCLC funds on each state.
“This decision to withhold funding for these programs is a profound and direct attack on children, particularly those who need support the most. It is a cold, calculated move to rip away the vital network of high-quality services from diverse communities. We can’t hold hostage the safety and future of our children in the name of partisan politics.”
“Let us be clear: these programs are not optional. For most states, like Illinois, 21st CCLC funding is the single largest funding mechanism for afterschool and summer learning. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is awaiting $55.637 million in funding to disseminate to schools and community-based organizations. In Illinois, these 21st CCLC programs serve over 58,000 students statewide in 544 communities. 21st CCLC programs help students catch up, keep up, and even get ahead academically. They offer meals, mentorship, and new learning experience that many young people cannot access anywhere else – like trade apprenticeships, STEM, and the arts – especially in underfunded and underserved regions. Programs also are locally driven and culturally responsive, providing safe havens for young people. New polling data suggests that ‘8 in 10 voters want their elected leaders to provide more funding for afterschool [not less], with 77 percent of voters for President Trump supporting an increase.’”
“Withholding funding from the current budget is not only irresponsible but will negatively impact students for generations. We are talking about a historical disinvestment in our education system, the current economy and the future workforce. While the administration continues to posture and politicize education, it is our youth who will pay the price – with wider learning gaps and higher chronic absenteeism, increases in youth involved in violence, and fewer opportunities to succeed or attain jobs in critical industries.”
“The administration has also proposed zeroing out the 21st CCLC funding stream for FY26, by consolidating it into the ‘K-12 Simplified Funding Plan’ and cutting funds across the board. We cannot allow this to happen.”
“ACT Now has been sounding the alarm on this issue for months, which is why we advocated for the release of $50 million from the FY25 state budget, which the state ultimately chose to eliminate. ACT Now also proposed the creation of an Out-of-School Time Advisory Council to set Illinois up to respond to harmful actions like these – at the federal and state level.”
“ACT Now is joining its partners to mobilize the afterschool field, youth, families, educators, and elected officials to demand the release of the FY25 funding for afterschool and ensure that this grant program continues in FY26. In response, ACT Now created an Action Alert for legislators to emphasize the disastrous impact of withholding 21st CCLC funding. Send this alert to urge them to release 21st CCLC funding to states immediately to prevent summer program closures and ensure school-year programs can launch in August!”
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This statement was issued by the Afterschool Alliance in response to the withholding of funds.
This map shows the impact of losing 21st CCLC funds with Illinois congressional and state districts.
