Impact Aid Program Office Staff Layoffs Threaten Critical Support for School Districts

Late on October 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education laid off the vast majority of the Impact Aid Program Office staff as part of a widespread reduction in force (RIF).

NAFIS strongly opposes this action, which jeopardizes the continuity and integrity of the Impact Aid Program. The removal of IAP program analysts –who administer payments, provide essential technical assistance, and ensure the program runs accurately and transparently – is unacceptable. These dedicated federal employees are not only subject-matter experts but also vital partners to more than 1,100 school districts and nearly eight million students nationwide, helping them navigate a complex, formula-based funding system.

In response, NAFIS has created this advocacy toolkit to empower our members and partners with the resources and messaging needed to demand the restoration of the Impact Aid Program Office staff and protect this essential program’s future. Together, we must raise our voices to ensure the federal government upholds its commitment to the school districts and students that depend on Impact Aid.

Now is the time to act.

NAFIS urges you to contact Congress in support of the Impact Aid staff. Please:

1) Send an Email. Visit the NAFIS Action Center to send an email using our customizable message. Prefer to email directly? Use our template as a starting point.

2) Make a Call. Use the Action Center to call your representatives with our sample script, or reach out directly using it as a guide.

3) Show Support on Social Media. Use our sample posts or craft your own – don’t forget to tag @NAFISschools and include #ImpactAid.

4) Let Us Know You Took Action.

  • If you reached out directly, fill out our online form to tell us who you contacted so we can track outreach and follow up with offices.
  • If you use the NAFIS Action Center, your actions will be reported there.

Resources to Support Your Advocacy

NAFIS Statement
Read the official NAFIS statement on the Impact Aid staff layoffs.

One-Page Overview of Impact Aid
Refresh your knowledge of Impact Aid with our concise summary.

Impact Aid Payments Report
See how much Impact Aid your district and state received in FY 2025 and use this data to strengthen your advocacy.

Talking Points (updated 10/16/25)
Review key NAFIS talking points on the Impact Aid staff reduction.

Email Template
Use our customizable email template to contact your Members of Congress – or send via the NAFIS Action Center.

Phone Script
Personalize our phone script and call your Members of Congress to make your voice heard – or do so via the NAFIS Action Center.

Social Media Toolkit
Access sample posts or create your own using #ImpactAid to share support for Impact Aid staff.

Sample School Board Resolution
Adopt a school board resolution to show support for Impact Aid and express concern about recent staff reductions, adapting our sample language or developing your own to share with federal policymakers.

Find Your Members of Congress
Use Congress.gov to find the name and contact information of your Senators and Representative

Additional NAFIS Outreach

  • NAFIS/NIISA Letter to Indian Affairs & Natural Resources Leadership (10/27/25)
    NAFIS and the National Indian Impacted Schools Association (NIISA) wrote to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and House Committee on Natural Resources leadership to raise concerns about the RIF at the Impact Aid Program Office, warning that these cuts threaten timely funding and essential support for school districts serving Native students and communities on tribal and federal lands.
  • NAFIS/MISA Letter to Armed Services Leadership (10/27/25)
    NAFIS and the Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA) wrote to leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to express concern about the RIF at the Impact Aid Program Office, highlighting the risk to timely funding and essential support for school districts serving military-connected students and emphasizing the program’s critical role in ensuring educational stability for military families.
  • NAFIS Letter to Committee Leadership (10/16/25)
    NAFIS wrote to Senate HELP and House Education & the Workforce Committee leadership to express deep concern about the RIF at the Impact Aid Office and to urge Congress to assess the potential impact, request a clear plan from the U.S. Department of Education to maintain continuity of operations, and reaffirm its bipartisan commitment to Impact Aid and the students and communities it serves.

Coalition & Partner Support

  • NMFA Letter to Committee Leadership (10/17/25)
    The National Military Family Association urges oversight of recent staffing cuts to the Department of Education’s Impact Aid office, highlighting the vital role that the program plays in supporting school districts that serve military-connected students.
  • Joint Letter to U.S. Department of Education and Office of Management & Budget (OMB) (10/15/25)
    Thirteen organizations dedicated to Native education and youth call on federal leaders to immediately rescind staffing cuts at the Department of Education, citing violations of trust and treaty obligations to Native students and Tribal Nations.
  • NIEA Resources (10/10/25)
    The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) has developed a draft resolution for Tribal Councils to call on the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Office of Management and Budget to immediately reverse the recent reductions in force (RIFs) affecting staff in the Department’s Office of Indian Education and Impact Aid Program Office.

Take Action

Learn more about your Federal representatives & participate in the latest NAFIS advocacy campaigns & surveys through the NAFIS Action Network.

Take Action