The Trump administration is withholding more than $2 billion for education by using an apportionment process that is lagging well beyond timelines seen under prior administrations. As of May 21, the Office of Management and Budget had apportioned little or no fiscal 2026 funding for 33 competitive grant programs totaling more than $1.8 billion, and apportioned less than one-quarter of funding for the Institute of Education Sciences. Education advocates and budget experts warn that delayed apportionments can foreshadow broader funding disruption, including preventing the Department of Education from issuing new awards or replenishing ongoing grants until the money is released into program accounts. Formula grants such as Title programs and special education were not among the incomplete apportionments, according to the reporting. The Department has launched some competitions for programs missing apportioned funds, but awards are constrained by when OMB releases the statutory accounts.