EducationGovernment

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

Data updated December 17, 2024
About 13.9% or one in every seven dollars of public school funding, during the 2021–22 school year. As with most schools nationwide, California 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.
Showing data for

13.9%

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

$2.9K

federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2021-22 school year
During the 2021-22 school year, California schools received a higher share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (13.7%).

During the 2021-22 school year, public schools in California received 13.9% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

In all, public schools in California received $16.8 billion, or $2,859 in federal funds per student. That’s 12.7% higher than the national average of $2,536 per student.

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During the 2021-22 school year, public schools in California received $2.9K 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 975 school districts in California, the Muroc Joint Unified School District in the Bakersfield, CA area received 68.5% of its funds from the federal government during the 2021-22 school year, more than any other in the state. The Ross Elementary School District in the San Francisco, CA area received the smallest share at 0.3%.

Federal funding made up 0.3% to 68.5% of California school district budgets in 2021-22.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Fresno Unified School District received 21.2% of its 2021-22 funding from federal sources, the highest among California's 10 largest school districts. The Fresno Unified School District also had the highest federal funding in the group. It received $4,740 per student. The Capistrano Unified School District had the lowest share at 7.7% or $1,278 per student.

The 10 largest school districts in California based on 2021-22 enrollment.

The 10 largest school districts in California 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