Trump Proposes Slashing Tribal College Funding by Nearly 90%, Putting Their Future at Risk

President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping budget and administrative changes that severely threaten the future of tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) across the United States. These institutions, which serve as vital centers for Native American education, cultural preservation, and community leadership, now face existential risks due to defunding and mass layoffs.

Federal Grants Suspended

One of the most significant blows came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which under Trump’s administration suspended key grant programs that tribal colleges depended on. Colleges like the College of Menominee Nation were left without critical federal funds that supported student services and operations. The USDA reportedly ceased communication with tribal institutions, and many of the officials who once managed these grants have been laid off amid broader cuts to the federal bureaucracy.

Mass Layoffs at Tribal Colleges

Institutions such as Haskell Indian Nations University and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute have suffered mass staff terminations. At Haskell, around 40 staff were laid off, and another 20 at the Southwestern Institute. These cuts have disrupted services and placed the schools’ accreditation status at risk.

Dismantling of the Department of Education

In a highly controversial move, President Trump signed an executive order nearly dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, transferring most educational authority to individual states. While student loan services remain at the federal level, many fear this shift will strip tribal colleges of essential oversight and support, especially for those reliant on federal funding streams that states are not equipped to replace.

Backlash from Native Leaders

Tribal leaders and educational advocates have criticized these moves as a violation of trust obligations and treaty responsibilities. Groups like the American Indian College Fund have called on Congress to intervene, warning that many TCUs may not survive these cuts. Lawsuits and legislative advocacy efforts are already underway to restore funding and stabilize operations.

President Trump’s policies during his current term have triggered a crisis for tribal colleges, threatening not just educational opportunities, but the preservation of Native languages, culture, and community sovereignty. Without immediate action, many of these institutions may be forced to close, leaving lasting damage on generations of Indigenous students and communities.