Trump’s proposed federal education cuts could leave Virginia schools with a $2.4B shortfall. (Getty Images)

Virginia schools could face a significant financial crisis if President Donald Trump’s proposed federal education cuts are implemented. The Commonwealth currently receives approximately $2.4 billion annually in federal funds to support its public education system, including programs for high-poverty schools, food assistance, and teacher training. However, the potential elimination of the US Department of Education, along with other proposed cuts, could leave Virginia’s schools scrambling to fill this massive gap.
As federal funds remain uncertain, school divisions across Virginia are preparing their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. The state’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, while the federal fiscal year operates from October 1 to September 30. For now, schools are operating as if the federal dollars will remain intact, but fears persist about what could happen if Trump’s cuts move forward.
Potential consequences of education cuts in Virginia
If the US Department of Education is entirely eliminated, Virginia would face a $2.4 billion funding shortfall. This would force localities and the state to find alternative funding sources for critical programs, such as supporting teachers in high-poverty schools and maintaining free meal programs for low-income students.
According to the Virginia Department of Education, federal funds accounted for 11.1% of Virginia schools’ budgets during the 2022-23 school year. In some areas, this percentage is even higher. For example, in Richmond, 14% of school funding has come from federal sources in recent years, playing a “small but incredibly meaningful role” in promoting equity, as reported by Alyssa Schwenk, the director of communications for Richmond Public Schools, in an email to VPM News.
The broader impact on Virginia school districts
The threat of federal education cuts has hit Virginia school districts like Richmond, Henrico, and Charlottesville particularly hard. In recent years, Henrico has become less dependent on federal funding, with only 7.4% of its budget coming from Washington in 2021-22, as reported by the Associated Press. On the other hand, Charlottesville has seen an increase in federal funding, with 13.6% of its budget coming from federal sources in 2023-24—more than double what it received before the pandemic.
As reported by VPM News, legal battles are also complicating the issue. Trump’s executive orders to cut federal funding based on compliance with policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could directly affect Virginia’s school systems, such as Albemarle County, where an anti-racism policy remains a point of contention.
Legal hurdles complicate the federal cuts
Despite Trump’s plans to reduce federal education funding, legal challenges make it unclear how much of these cuts will actually occur. While some funding is discretionary, other programs are mandated by law, and Congress would need to approve any cuts.
These uncertainties leave Virginia school districts uncertain about their financial future and the broader impact on their students.