Federal education funding for FY 2026 expected to flow smoothly despite past challenges

The U.S. Department of Education has reassured state education officials and school district leaders that most key federal programs, including Title I aid for disadvantaged students and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), will have their funds released through the department's grant portal this summer for fiscal year 2026. Lawmakers have also included language in the fiscal 2026 budget law to explicitly restrict the movement of money from one program to another, aiming to prevent the reprogramming of funds seen in previous administrations.