Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee have recently approved a proposal to provide $80 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Education in fiscal year 2025. This proposal represents an increase of about $1 billion from the current budget. The funding plan includes various key components, such as a $100 increase in the maximum Pell Grant award to $7,495, as well as boosts to Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
During a markup meeting on Capitol Hill, both Republicans and Democrats on the committee expressed their support for the proposed funding levels for higher education, K-12 education, and early childhood education. Senator Shelley Moore Capito emphasized the importance of prioritizing children’s education from early childhood programs to college to ensure students are prepared for both current and future job opportunities.
Specifically, the higher education funding proposal includes increases in Pell Grants, level spending for Federal Work Study and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program. For K-12 education, the proposed increases would bring total Title I funding to $18.69 billion and IDEA funding to $14.5 billion. Additionally, the bill aims to allocate funds for programs such as the English Language Acquisition program and Impact Aid.
Career and Technical Education would also receive a boost in funding, with a $45 million increase for state grants and national activities. In terms of early childhood education, the bill includes a $2.3 billion increase for HHS early learning programs, with recommended funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start programs.
Senator Tammy Baldwin highlighted the importance of providing access to quality child care for working families, especially in rural and underserved areas. Senator Patty Murray emphasized that investing in families is ultimately an investment in the economy.
The full House and Senate still need to vote on these measures, with both chambers expected to be in recess for most of August. The fiscal year 2025 begins on October 1 and ends on September 30, 2025. This proposed funding plan reflects a bipartisan effort to support various education programs and initiatives to benefit students across the country.