Key Federal Education Funds in New Hampshire Remain Secure Amid Shutdown

Key federal funding for New Hampshire schools remains unaffected by the ongoing government shutdown in Washington, according to Department of Education Commissioner Caitlin Davis. She stated that the funding, which is distributed through the state Department of Education, was “forward-funded” in July, allowing it to remain intact for the current school year.

During a meeting of the State Board of Education on Thursday, Davis emphasized that the majority of federal education programming funds are secured. “We have the majority of our federal education programming funds for the full year,” she explained. This includes approximately $50 million in Title I-A grants, which support public schools with significant low-income student populations.

In addition to Title I-A funding, New Hampshire will also receive resources for Title II-A, aimed at enhancing teacher training and effectiveness, as well as funds from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which contribute to special education expenses. Overall, approximately $200 million in annual allocations from the U.S. Department of Education will continue to flow into the state despite the shutdown.

While the education sector appears stable, other federal assistance programs may face challenges. According to Davis, funding for free and reduced-price meals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not been allocated in a single payment and could be at risk of running out. She noted, “We do have some advanced money” for the meals program, but future distributions remain uncertain.

Programs indirectly linked to education, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), could also be impacted. Currently, SNAP benefits for New Hampshire are secure through October, and Medicaid has sufficient funding to operate through the first quarter of the 2026 federal fiscal year, beginning on October 1, 2025.

The shutdown, which entered its tenth day as of Friday, stems from a failure by U.S. Senate Democrats to reach an agreement with Republicans on government funding, specifically regarding health care subsidies. This has resulted in widespread furloughs of federal employees, including staff at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and has forced some workers, such as air traffic controllers, to continue their duties without pay.

In a press release dated September 30, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte expressed confidence that most state operations would remain unaffected, predicting “minimal impact” for at least the initial 30 days of the shutdown. Davis echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the pre-allocated funds ensure all 275 positions at the state education department will continue to be paid, even if some of their salaries are derived from federal sources.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation on an ongoing basis and provide updates to both schools and department employees,” Davis stated. She acknowledged the uncertainty the shutdown creates among staff, noting, “People hear that federal employees are not working in this time, and (ask) how does that impact our work?”

As the government shutdown continues, the New Hampshire Department of Education remains vigilant, ensuring that critical funding for schools and educational programs stays intact for the benefit of students across the state.