At a meeting of the State Board of Career and Technology Education in Stillwater, Director Hagan told members that about $7 million in federal adult-education funds that was due July 1 had been held up, putting 30 state-run high-school-equivalency programs on pause.

"Adult education is a hot topic right now because the Trump administration has held up payment on adult education... $7,000,000 that was slated to come to us on July 1 did not," Director Hagan said. "So 30 programs across the state that we operate to help people get their high school equivalency are on pause right now." He added, "I still think it will come, but I don't know exactly when. By August 9, we should have some definite answers."

The delay affects programs Oklahoma uses to help adults obtain a high school equivalency. Director Hagan said the federal grant is the only source the state currently uses to support those adult-education programs and warned the state would have to make changes if the funds do not arrive. "We have almost 300,000 adults without a high school diploma in Oklahoma," he said, noting the federal grant is the primary mechanism to address that gap.

Separately, board members were briefed on new federal rules expanding Pell Grant eligibility to shorter programs. Director Hagan said the change will allow the agency and accredited career-technical programs to offer shorter, Pell-eligible training for adults. "Now that they will be eligible for financial aid where they weren't before," he said, "we hope programs such as truck-driver training can become financially accessible for more adults beginning in 2026."

Director Hagan said not all providers will be able to immediately participate because programs must meet accreditation requirements. He also noted parameters for the new short-term Pell program being discussed at the agency, including program-length windows and hour thresholds for eligibility.

Board members did not take formal action on either issue during the meeting. The director said staff has notified the legislature and will provide updates when federal guidance is confirmed.