Rally Point: Protect the Future of Education
When the Trump regime targets education, it’s about control.
Donald Trump’s budget proposes a 15% cut to the Department of Education’s discretionary funding for fiscal year 2026. His administration seeks to eliminate Federal Work Study, FSEOG, TRIO, and GEAR UP—programs that support the very students most likely to be silenced under authoritarian rule.
This is about who gets to think freely, who gets to speak up, and who gets left behind.
This is part of the playbook. Authoritarians defund education to limit access to knowledge, suppress dissent, and consolidate power. The goal is obedience.
One Clear Thing to Do:
Speak up before the doors slam shut.
Contact the House and Senate Appropriations Committees: tell them to reject Trump’s proposed education cuts. House Appropriations Committee
Senate Committee on Appropriations | Room S-128, The Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20510 | (202) 224-7257
Reach out to your alma mater or local universities. Ask them to issue a public statement opposing the cuts to federal student support. Key Contacts:
University leadership: Determine who at the university would be responsible for making a public statement. This might include the university president, provost, or vice president for student affairs or external relations.
Student government association (SGA): Contact your university's SGA and inquire about their existing positions or initiatives related to federal student aid cuts. The SGA may already be engaging in advocacy efforts and may be a valuable ally.
Faculty and staff unions: Reach out to faculty or staff unions or associations. They may have a strong interest in this issue and can amplify your voice.
University's external relations or government affairs office: This office is likely responsible for engaging with government officials and policymakers.
Share this message with any educators, students, or school leaders you know. Let them know what’s coming.
Don’t let the Trump regime decide who gets to learn—and who gets left behind.
Sources:
NPR: Trump's budget calls for a 15% funding cut to the Education Department
This article outlines the administration's proposal to reduce the Department of Education's budget by 15%, highlighting the intent to wind down the department and the potential impacts on various education programs.
https://www.npr.org/2025/06/02/nx-s1-5420677/trump-budget-education-department-financial-aidInside Higher Ed: Trump Proposes Cutting Pell Grants in Order to Avert Shortfall
This piece discusses the proposed reduction of the maximum Pell Grant by $1,685 for the 2026–27 academic year, attributing the cut to an anticipated budget shortfall in the program.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/student-aid-policy/2025/06/02/trump-proposes-cut-max-pell-order-avert-shortfallNASFAA: Trump's FY 2026 Budget Request Calls for Decreasing Maximum Pell Grant and More Reductions for Student Aid Programs
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the proposed budget cuts, including the elimination of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and significant reductions to the Federal Work-Study program.
https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/36431/Trump_s_FY_2026_Budget_Request_Calls_for_Decreasing_Maximum_Pell_Grant_and_More_Reductions_for_Student_Aid_ProgramsU.S. Department of Education: Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Summary (PDF)
This official document offers a comprehensive overview of the proposed budget, detailing the specific programs targeted for cuts and the rationale provided by the administration.
https://www.ed.gov/media/document/fiscal-year-2026-budget-summary-110043.pdf