Trump Administration Cuts $1 Billion in School Mental Health Grants

Introduction to the Cuts

The Trump administration is moving to cancel $1 billion in school mental health grants, stating that these grants reflect the priorities of the previous administration. Grant recipients were notified that the funding will not be continued after this year. A gun violence bill signed by Democratic President Joe Biden in 2022 had allocated $1 billion to these grant programs to help schools hire more psychologists, counselors, and other mental health workers.

Reasoning Behind the Cuts

A new notice from the Education Department explained that a review of the programs found they violated the purpose of civil rights law, conflicted with the department’s policy of prioritizing merit and fairness, and amounted to an inappropriate use of federal money. This decision was made public through a social media post by conservative strategist Christopher Rufo, who claimed the money was used to advance “left-wing racialism and discrimination.” Rufo posted excerpts from several grant documents that set goals to hire certain numbers of nonwhite counselors or pursue other diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

Reaction to the Cuts

Rufo stated, “No more slush fund for activists under the guise of mental health.” The Education Department confirmed the cuts, stating that the Republican administration will find other ways to support mental health. In an update to members of Congress, department officials said, “The Department plans to re-envision and re-compete its mental health program funds to more effectively support students’ behavioral health needs.”

Impact of the Cuts

President Donald Trump’s administration has cut billions of dollars in federal grants deemed to be related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and has threatened to cut billions more from schools and colleges over diversity practices. The administration argues that any policy that treats people differently because of their race amounts to discrimination and claims that DEI has often been used to discriminate against white and Asian American students.

Previous Funding and Support

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters, and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

By COLLIN BINKLEY, AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) —

Originally Published: April 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM EDT

Conclusion

The Trump administration’s decision to cut $1 billion in school mental health grants has significant implications for the support systems available to students. While the administration plans to re-envision and re-compete its mental health program funds, the immediate impact of these cuts may be felt by schools that were reliant on this funding to provide mental health services.

FAQs

• Q: Why did the Trump administration cut $1 billion in school mental health grants?
  • A: The administration stated that these grants reflect the priorities of the previous administration and claimed they violated civil rights law and conflicted with the department’s policy.
• Q: What will happen to the schools that were receiving these grants?
  • A: The schools will not continue to receive funding after this year, but the Education Department plans to find other ways to support mental health in schools.
• Q: What was the original purpose of the $1 billion allocated to these grant programs?
  • A: The original purpose was to help schools hire more psychologists, counselors, and other mental health workers as part of a gun violence bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2022.