Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has announced a legal victory that will allow states continued access to significant federal education funds. The decision comes after Campbell and a coalition of 16 other states filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, challenging its move to end access to programs designed to support low-income and unhoused students, as well as address the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 education.
According to Campbell’s office, an agreement with the federal government now prevents it from revoking, rescinding, modifying, or shortening the period during which states can use these funds.
“Rather than help our schools recover from the devastating learning loss and financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump Administration attempted to terminate funding meant to aid school districts with learning loss and recovery,” said AG Campbell. “This victory ensures our schools will have access to the hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding they rely on to serve their most vulnerable students, including our homeless youth.”
The dispute began when, on March 28, the Department notified states that it would unilaterally end access to grants provided under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These grants had previously been available through March 2026. ARPA included three major education-related programs: Homeless Children and Youth (HCY), Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER), and Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS). These initiatives were created to help school systems respond to pandemic challenges and direct resources toward students most in need.
Campbell and her coalition argued that ending access without warning created unexpected budget shortfalls for states and disrupted essential educational services for both students and teachers. They further contended that this action violated the Administrative Procedure Act because it reversed a prior decision without sufficient explanation or regard for congressional intent.
The agreement reached ensures that these funds remain available for their intended purposes until March 2026.
