The Trump administration has used an uncommon budget procedure to withhold more than $2 billion in education funding Congress approved in February, raising concerns about delayed aid delivery and disruptions for competitive grants. The issue centers on Office of Management and Budget apportionment, a legal step required before the Department of Education can distribute funds. As of May 21, the OMB has apportioned little or none of fiscal 2026 funding for 33 competitive grant programs totaling more than $1.8 billion, and less than one-quarter of the $790 million allocation for the Institute of Education Sciences. While some programs may still begin competitions, the department generally cannot award new grants or replenish active ones until apportionment occurs. Education advocates and budget experts warn the timing could foreshadow broader funding volatility as Congress begins drafting fiscal 2027. The tracking process relies on public disclosures and transparency tooling from the OpenOMB portal.