FY 2026 Budget Proposal Eliminates Federal Funding for Afterschool and Summer Programs
The FY 2026 budget proposal released by the current administration eliminates all funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program—the only federal funding stream specifically dedicated to afterschool and summer learning programs. Under the proposal, 21st CCLC and 17 other K–12 grant programs would be consolidated into a new “K–12 Simplified Funding Plan,” with total funding for the combined programs reduced by approximately 69%.
The 21st CCLC program currently supports nearly 1.4 million students nationwide, providing grants to a broad range of organizations including public school districts, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, municipal governments, charter schools, libraries, and universities. These funds are used to deliver academic support, enrichment activities, and supervision during out-of-school hours.
The proposed FY 2026 Department of Education budget totals $66.7 billion, a $12.4 billion (15.6%) decrease from the previous year. The newly proposed K–12 Simplified Funding Plan would receive $2 billion in funding, replacing several individual grant programs focused on teacher development, student enrichment, community engagement, and services for specific student populations.
In addition to eliminating 21st CCLC, the proposal calls for ending funding for:
Title II-A: Supporting Effective Instruction
Title IV-A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
Full-Service Community Schools
Education for Homeless Children and Youth
TRIO and GEAR UP college access programs
Education Innovation and Research (EIR)
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)
Several federal agencies that support informal STEM education and youth programs would also see significant reductions. The proposal eliminates funding for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, cuts the National Science Foundation’s STEM Education Directorate by 75%, and eliminates the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is also proposed for elimination.
The budget includes $32 million to begin winding down AmeriCorps, which supports approximately 71,000 national service positions, many of which contribute to afterschool and community-based programs.
Organizations across the country that rely on these federal funds—such as Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, school districts, libraries, and community-based nonprofits—may face substantial funding gaps if the proposal is enacted as written. The elimination of dedicated funding could also limit the ability of non-school entities to access resources for afterschool and summer learning initiatives, as funds would flow primarily through state and local education agencies.
The FY 2026 appropriations process now moves to Congress, where final decisions on funding levels will be made. Advocates for afterschool and summer learning are engaging with lawmakers to communicate the potential impacts of the proposed changes and to highlight the role of these programs in supporting student success, workforce readiness, and family stability.