Trump SLASHES Teacher Grant AGAIN—Minnesota College Students Left Stunned!
University of St. Thomas loses $2.8 million federal grant as Trump’s DEI cuts hit aspiring Minnesota teachers hard. 🌐 #News #StPaulMN #Minnesota #Politics
ST. PAUL, MN – Local educators say President Trump delivered a devastating blow to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota last week. The U.S. Department of Education pulled a $2.8 million grant meant to train future teachers, marking the second funding loss for the school in just a month. This latest cut targets a program tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, leaving students and educators scrambling.
Another Funding Loss Hits Hard
The Teacher Quality Partnership grant, now terminated, supported around 20 graduate students annually in its fifth and final year. The program teamed up with charter schools to offer living wage stipends, easing the financial burden for those completing mandatory student teaching internships.
Just two weeks earlier, the university saw a separate $6.8 million grant vanish, also flagged for its DEI connections. That funding was meant for any student, no matter their background, according to St. Thomas leaders. Don’t miss our earlier reporting on this ongoing story.
What the Grant Meant for Teachers
In Minnesota, aspiring K-12 educators must student-teach for a semester to earn their state license, often without pay. The lost grant aimed to change that by providing crucial financial support during this unpaid period.
Nationwide efforts have pushed for similar aid to help students launch teaching careers without drowning in debt.
Now, with the funding gone, those plans are up in the air.
University Responds to the Cuts
St. Thomas President Rob Vischer addressed the situation in an email last Friday. He noted that DEI efforts face intense scrutiny and pledged to keep the university aligned with legal standards. He also pointed to Pope Francis’s call for Catholic schools to tackle real-world challenges, not just mirror societal divides.
Meanwhile, a university spokesperson said Monday that St. Thomas is collaborating with partner schools to evaluate the fallout and explore solutions.
Ripple Effects on Aspiring Educators
The earlier cut slashed a three-year grant offering $10,000 scholarships to graduate students pursuing teaching licenses, plus stipends for undergraduates student-teaching in special education and elementary roles.
With both grants gone, the path to teaching just got steeper for many at St. Thomas. The university now faces tough choices to keep its teacher preparation programs afloat amid federal funding upheaval.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below because your opinion matters!
RELATED TOPICS: Minnesota | Politics | Washington, D.C.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
