The U.S. Department of Education sent school officials in Florida and across the nation scrambling this week as it announced plans late Monday to freeze funds that Congress approved in March to help some of the nation’s neediest students. Florida schools were set to receive about $300 million of the $6.8

The state budget, which passed Monday after weeks of disagreements, allocated $15.8 billion in state funds toward education this year, up from $15.6 billion last year. This is a 1.73% increase over last year, less than the rate of inflation at 2.4%. This does not include local funding or other categories.

The federal grant funding traditionally goes out by July 1. It includes support for migrant education, after-school programs and English language learners.