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

Updated Apr. 24, 2026Refreshed annually
About 18.1% or 7 in 40 dollars of Arizona public school funding came from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Arizona received more funding from local or state governments than it did from federal sources. The totals differ by district, depending on factors such as student demographics (like poverty levels), availability of state and local revenues, and whether a district is urban, suburban, or rural.

18.1%

of public school funding came from federal sources, 2022–23 school year

$2.59K

federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2022–23 school year
During the 2022–23 school year, the latest year data was available, Arizona schools received a higher share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (12.9%).

During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Arizona received 18.1% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

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In all, public schools in Arizona received $2.88 billion, or $2,558 in federal funds per student. That's 1.2% higher than the national average of $2,233 per student.

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During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Arizona received $2,590 per student from the federal government.

Public school district revenue per student coming from federal sources

Most federal public school funds are allocated based on formulas based on factors such as poverty status or a district’s rural location. Federal programs for schools include:
  • Child nutrition programs: Administered by the Department of Agriculture, this includes National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
  • Education for the disadvantaged: Also known as Title I, the federal government provides additional funds to schools with relatively high concentration of low-income students.
  • Special education: According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, the federal government is authorized though not mandated to supply 40% of special education funds.
Among 226 school districts in Arizona, the Cedar Unified District in the outside of metro areas received 79.2% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year, more than any other in the state. The Pine Strawberry Elementary District outside of metro areas received the smallest share at 3.8%.

Federal funding made up 3.8% to 79.2% of Arizona school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Tucson Unified District received 31.1% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among Arizona's 10 largest school districts. The Tucson Unified District also had the highest federal funding in the group at $5,137 per student. The Chandler Unified District had the lowest share at 8.8% or $1,165 per student.

The 10 largest school districts in the Arizona based on 2022–23 enrollment.

The 10 largest school districts in the Arizona based on 2022–23 enrollment.
1.

Tucson Unified District

31.1%
2.

Mesa Unified District

22.4%
3.

Dysart Unified District

16.1%
4.

Peoria Unified School District

12%
5.

Deer Valley Unified District

11.5%
6.

Paradise Valley Unified District

10.2%
7.

Phoenix Union High School District

9.1%
8.

Scottsdale Unified District

9.1%
9.

Gilbert Unified District

8.9%
10.

Chandler Unified District

8.8%

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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.