FY 2026 Budget Proposal Eliminates Dedicated Funding for Afterschool and Summer Programs
The current administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget eliminates funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, currently the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to afterschool and summer learning. The proposal consolidates 21st CCLC and 17 other K-12 education programs into a single “K–12 Simplified Funding Plan” and reduces funding for the consolidated programs by approximately 69%.
The 21st CCLC program currently supports nearly 1.4 million students nationwide and funds a range of afterschool and summer initiatives, including those operated by public schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. In Manatee County, local programs such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Manatee YMCA, and the Manatee County School District’s Extended Day Enrichment Program have received funding through 21st CCLC grants in the past.
The Department of Education’s proposed budget for FY 2026 totals $66.7 billion, representing a $12.4 billion (15.6%) reduction from the previous fiscal year. The new K–12 Simplified Funding Plan would allocate $2 billion to states and districts through a formula grant, replacing several previously separate grants that focused on teacher training, student enrichment, family engagement, rural education, and other targeted supports.
Several other education-related programs are also proposed for elimination or consolidation, including:
Title IV Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
Title IV Part F: Full-Service Community Schools
Title II-A: Supporting Effective Instruction
Education for Homeless Children and Youth
TRIO and GEAR UP college access programs
Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grants
The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program
Programs that support informal STEM education and out-of-school time learning through agencies such as NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation would also see major reductions or elimination. AmeriCorps, which supports national service and volunteer programs including those assisting afterschool providers, is proposed for phase-out with $32 million allocated for closure activities.
Locally, the changes could affect a variety of afterschool and summer programs that rely on federal grants to provide academic support, supervision, and enrichment activities outside of regular school hours. In addition to the Boys & Girls Clubs and school district programs, organizations such as public libraries, museums, and community-based nonprofits have historically received federal support for youth programming.
The proposed budget does not eliminate the ability of states or school districts to fund afterschool or summer learning, but it removes dedicated federal funding streams and consolidates decision-making under a more flexible model. While this may increase local control over funding decisions, it may also reduce opportunities for community-based organizations that previously applied directly for 21st CCLC grants.
The FY 2026 budget proposal now moves to Congress, where the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will determine final funding levels. As the process continues, local education providers and community organizations are assessing the potential impact of these changes on programs serving students and families throughout Manatee County.
