EducationGovernment

What percentage of public school funding comes from the federal government?

Data updated December 17, 2024
About 13.7% or one in every seven dollars of public school funding during the 2021–22 school year. Local and state governments typically provide most school district funding, with the federal government providing the rest. Federal sources provide as little as 0% and as much as 75% of funding, depending on the district. Federal funding depends on factors such as poverty levels and other student demographics, availability of state and local revenues, and whether a district is urban, suburban, or rural. During 2021–22, which is the latest year of data available, public schools received $124.9 billion, or $2,536 in federal funds per student.
Showing data for

13.7%

of public school funding came from federal sources, 2021-22 school year

$2.5K

per K-12 student came from federal funding (2021-2022 school year)
The federal share of public K-12 education funding rose during economic turmoil caused by the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal share of public school funding during the 2021-22 school year — 13.7% — was the highest of any school year since 1989–90.

During the 2021-22 school year, 13.7% of public schools funding came from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

During the 2022 federal fiscal year, the government budgeted $96.2 billion for elementary and secondary education. That’s down 67% from 2021, when more than half of education spending was for COVID-19 relief and recovery. Several federal departments and agencies provide public school funds, including the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Education accounts for 46.4% of all 2022 K-12 funds.

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These programs received significant federal funding in FY 2022:

  • Child nutrition programs (27.9% of federal K-12 budget): Administered by the Department of Agriculture, this includes the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
  • Education for the disadvantaged (19.0%): Also known as Title I, this funds schools with relatively high concentrations of low-income students.
  • Special education (15.1%): According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, the federal government is authorized, though not mandated, to supply up to 40% of special education funds.
  • Head Start (11.2%): Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, this provides free preschool and related services for children from low-income families.

During the 2022 fiscal year, 46.4% of federal spending of public schools came from the Department of Education.

Public school district revenue by federal source and program

Funding varies by state. In Mississippi, 23.2% public school funds came from federal sources, more than any other state during the 2021–22 school year. New York had the lowest proportion at 7.3%.

During 2021-22, school districts in Mississippi, South Dakota, and Arkansas relied the most on federal funding.

Funding from federal sources as a percentage of district revenue

The amount districts receive vary by state as well. The federal government uses formulas to allocate most public school funds, considering factors such as poverty status or a district’s location. Per-student funding ranges from $1,473 in Utah to $4,424 in Alaska.

During the 2021-22 school year, Alaska, Washington, DC, and North Dakota received the most federal funding per student.

District revenue from federal sources per pupil

During the 2021–22 school year, about 17.1K school districts or other local education agencies received federal funding. The Houston Independent School District received 23.2% of its funding from federal sources, the highest among the nation’s 20 school districts based on the number of students. The New York City Department of Education received 6.6% of its funding from federal sources, the lowest in the group.

The 20 largest school districts in the US based on 2021-22 enrollment.

The 20 largest school districts in the US based on 2021-22 enrollment.

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • National Center for Education Statistics

    Common Core of Data and Digest of Education Statistics

    National Center for Education Statistics logo