Department of Education ends support for political activism

The U.S. Department of Education announced this week it is ending taxpayer-funded programs that supported political activism jobs on college campuses.

The Department of Education will no longer fund the Federal Work-Study, a Biden administration program that paid students to engage in political activities.

The department issued a guidance letter clarifying that institutions should focus FWS funding on jobs that will give students real opportunities.

“Federal Work-Study is meant to provide students opportunities to gain real-world experience that prepares them to succeed in the workforce, not as a way to fund political activism on our college and university campuses,” said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent.

The FWS program provides part-time jobs to students involving voter registration, voter assistance at polling locations, voter hotline services or other political activism roles. The jobs could take place either on or off campus.

Following the letter from the Education Department, 16 Republican attorneys general outlined in a letter in April 2024 how the Biden administration violated federal law by allowing FWS to support partisan activism on college campuses.

“Unfortunately, spending tax money to get more Democrat voters to the polls this fall looks to be this administration’s policy,” the letter stated.

In addition, the department’s new guidance makes clear that the Higher Education Act of 1965 does not require institutions to distribute registration forms to students known to be ineligible to vote, to avoid voter fraud.

“Under the HEA, institutions are required to make a ‘good faith’ effort to distribute voter registration forms to students,” the press release said.

Additionally, the Education Department has requested institutions to tell students that only citizens of the U.S. may vote in federal elections, voting twice and providing false information is prohibited under federal law, and an individual can only be registered to vote where they are permanently living.

The Department of Education’s actions of rescinding federal funds from political activism on college campuses follow President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

$750 million facility to protect Texas cattle, wildlife from screwworm threat

$750 million facility to protect Texas cattle, wildlife from screwworm threat

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Responding to calls by state lawmakers and the agricultural industry for immediate action to be taken to protect cattle and wildlife from a parasitic fly,...
Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines

Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, studies Chicago’s somewhat mixed-bag crime trend data with little question...
Three years later, Inflation Reduction Act blamed for higher Medicare costs

Three years later, Inflation Reduction Act blamed for higher Medicare costs

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square This past weekend marked the third anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2022. While the law...
Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series

Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case State prosecutors have charged two more migrants as part of an investigation...
Report: Human Rights Campaign pressures transgender procedures on minors

Report: Human Rights Campaign pressures transgender procedures on minors

By Tate MillerThe Center Square (By Tate Miller) – The Human Rights Campaign pressures children’s hospitals into performing transgender procedures on minors, according to a Do No Harm report. Do...
Everyday Economics: Housing market and Fed policy in focus in the week ahead

Everyday Economics: Housing market and Fed policy in focus in the week ahead

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week brings crucial updates on America's housing market struggles and hints about where interest rates might head next. Housing Data Dump Several major housing...
Businesses brace for new tax challenges amid global tariff focus

Businesses brace for new tax challenges amid global tariff focus

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. businesses and their partners across the globe are looking to make sure they comply with the highest import duties in decades amid a worldwide...
Casey Rotary Logo.2

Joyce and Gary Shore Joyce Shore presented the program on Tuesday at the Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at Richards Farm. She and her husband, Gary, a...
WATCH: IL state reps challenge IEMA-OHS responses to local agencies

WATCH: IL state reps challenge IEMA-OHS responses to local agencies

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security officials are promising to be more responsive to...
Illinois takes over health insurance marketplace in 2026 amid skepticism

Illinois takes over health insurance marketplace in 2026 amid skepticism

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois will fully take over operation of its health insurance marketplace in 2026, moving away from...
Judge expands restraining order against 'Beto' O’Rourke, adds ActBlue

Judge expands restraining order against ‘Beto’ O’Rourke, adds ActBlue

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A judge has expanded a temporary restraining order against former U.S. Rep. Robert (Beto) O’Rourke and his organization, Powered by People, as well as ActBlue...
Reversing Biden’s precedent, students complete FAFSA in minutes at beta-testing event

Reversing Biden’s precedent, students complete FAFSA in minutes at beta-testing event

By Tate MillerThe Center Square President Donald Trump’s Department of Education is working to restore the student aid FAFSA form after the Biden administration made what should be a couple-minute...
Trump, Zelenskyy to meet Monday in steps toward peace with Russia

Trump, Zelenskyy to meet Monday in steps toward peace with Russia

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following a “successful” meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump said he is going straight for a “peace agreement” in a...
Possible 'agreement' reached in Trump-Putin meeting; more discussion likely

Possible ‘agreement’ reached in Trump-Putin meeting; more discussion likely

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square It appears an “agreement” was reached in the Friday meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American President Donald Trump, but the nature of that...
WATCH: Gun rights supporters celebrate 9th Circuit’s ruling against CA gun rationing law

WATCH: Gun rights supporters celebrate 9th Circuit’s ruling against CA gun rationing law

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Gun rights supporters are celebrating what they call a significant victory after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mandate on Thursday overturning California’s...