With the recent passing of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”, school districts already grappling with limited resources may now face greater challenges for their students. The bill disrupts a significant funding stream for schools. It could trigger ripple effects that threaten the availability of essential services, such as free school meals school-based health care, and before- and after-school programs, some of which have already experienced temporary funding losses.
These sweeping changes pose a significant threat to educational equity, particularly for maginalized student populations. By destabilizing the support systems many students rely on to learn and thrive, the bill risks widening existing STEM learning gaps and deepening disparities in opportunities.
Among the complex bill many provisions, the bill mandates a 15% cut in federal Medicaid spending over the next decade. It shifts a greater portion of the cost of food assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to individual states. Notably, it introduces new work requirements for a larger group of recipients, including, for the first time, some parents of school-age children.
These changes, layered with increased administrative complexity, reduced funding, and a persistent lack of access to affordable childcare, are likely to result in stricter eligibility standards at the state level. As a result, many low-income families may find themselves excluded from vital health and nutrition services, resources that are crucial for ensuring student readiness and success in the classroom.
The Link Between Public Assistance and Free School Meals
Reduced federal funding for SNAP has a direct impact on school meal programs, as many states and school districts rely on students’ enrollment in SNAP and Medicaid to automatically qualify them for free or reduced-price lunches. These programs also enable schools to receive federal reimbursements, making free meal services financially sustainable.
While most changes to Medicaid and SNAP funding under the new law are scheduled to take effect in 2028, new work requirements will be implemented sooner. For Medicaid specifically, states must adopt these requirements by December 31, 2026, which could potentially reduce eligibility for many families well before the broader funding cuts take effect.
When the Safety Net Fails: How Policy Changes Endanger Low-Income Learners
The new bill shifts a significant share of food assistance costs to states, requiring them to cover 5-15% SNAP benefits, while administrative costs are shared with the states, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The change represents a signifcant shift in responsibility, one that many states claim they are not equipped to handle.
The consequences for students could be severe. Several governors have already expressed concern that their states will be unable to make up for the lost federal funding. As previously discussed, proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining academic focus and learning. for many low-income students, the two meals they receive at school may be the only meals they get to eat all day. Without access to free meals, students from underserved communities will face increased hunger and even greater barriers to learning.
Malnourishment also raises the risk of illness, an issue that could be exacerbated by the bill’s proposed $1 trillion cut to Medicaid over the next decade. This reduction is projected to leave up to 11.8 million more people uninsured by 2034. Currently, nearly half of all American children are covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Although the bill doesn’t directly reduce Medicaid eligibility for children, research shows that when parents lose coverage, their children are also less likely to be insured and may not receive regular medical care, even if technically elgible.
Moreover, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows schools where at least 25% of students are enrolled in SNAP, Medicaid, or similar programs to offer free school meals to all students, could be undermined. If fewer students qualify for these federal programs due to eligibility restrictions or funding cuts, schools may fall below the CEP threshold. Without sufficient federal reimbursement and limited state support, many schools may be forced to scale back or cancel free meal programs altogether.
Frozen Funds, Rising Needs: The Uncertain Future of After-School and ELL Programs
In addition to looming challenges related to Snap and Medicaid, the U.S. Department of Education recently withheld nearly $7 billion in grant funding designated for school districts. These funds, critical for supporting before- and after-school programs, teacher training, and services for English language learners, were frozen while the funding was undergoing further review by the federal government.
This pause in funding comes at a time when many districts are already struggling with significant resource shortages, making it even more challenging to close persistent learning gaps. Students that have fallen behind and English language learners, in particular, often require additional academic support to stay on pace with their peers. At the same time, teacher training is essential for equipping educators to meet the diverse needs of students who may be falling behind.
Before- and after-school programs not only provide extended learning opportunities for students, but also serve as a lifeline for working families. As Medicaid’s new work requirements take effect, the need for reliable after-hours student support will become even more critical.
While some of the previously withheld funds have since been released, this episode raises concerns about the future stability of these essential programs. Without consistent and dependable funding, schools may be forced to scale back services that directly impact student learning, equity, and family well-being.
Unpacking the Impact: How Federal Cuts Threaten Student Access and Achievement
The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” represents a devastating setback to our mission of providing equitable, hands-on STEM education to all students, regardless of race, background, income, or health status. The legislation’s sweeping changes will drastically reduce students’ access to essential resources, including meals, healthcare, and supplemental learning programs.
One of the most immediate consequences will be a decline in food assistance eligibility. Research consistently shows that students perform better on end-of-year exams—particularly in reading and math—when testing occurs closer to the start of their family’s SNAP benefit cycle, when food access is most secure. Without consistent access to nutritious meals, students face increased difficulty focusing, retaining information, and making academic progress. This will further widen the already persistent STEM learning gaps for students of color and those from economically disadvantaged communities.
Loss of free meals could severely impact students’ progress, compounding the learning gaps that already persist due to lack of access to STEM for students of color and students from low-income neighborhoods.
The implications of Medicaid cuts are equally alarming. Reduced access to healthcare will likely result in delayed treatment, fewer school-based services, and increased absenteeism from school. Medicaid is the fourth largest federal funding stream for schools. It plays a crucial role in covering services like school nurses, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, psychological counseling, and care for students with disabilities. These funds also support in-school health clinics, ensuring that children can access care where they learn.
These cuts will disproportionately affect students who are already marginalized—low-income families, English language learners, students with disabilities, and students of color.
Although the bill has already passed, we must now focus on mitigating its impact. That means standing up for our students by advocating for increased state investment in education and continuing to support organizations like C-STEM that are working to fill the gaps. The resources available to our most vulnerable students are shifting in ways we’ve never seen before, and now, more than ever, we must do all we can to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and lead in a future shaped by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Written by: Reagan Flowers, Ph.D.
