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

Refreshed annually
About 17.3% or 1 in 6 dollars of Kentucky public school funding came from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Kentucky 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.

17.3%

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

$3.06K

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, Kentucky 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 Kentucky received 17.3% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

In all, public schools in Kentucky received $2.02 billion, or $2,558 in federal funds per student. That's 19.7% higher than the national average of $2,133 per student.

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During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Kentucky received $3,062 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 171 school districts in Kentucky, the Fulton Independent School District outside of metro areas received 45.8% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year, more than any other in the state. The Anchorage Independent School District in the Louisville, KY area received the smallest share at 2.6%.

Federal funding made up 2.6% to 45.8% of Kentucky school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Hardin County School District received 19.9% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among Kentucky's 10 largest school districts. The Jefferson County School District had the highest federal funding in the group, it received $3,294 per student. The Oldham County School District had the lowest share at 6.3% or $985 per student.

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

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

Hardin County School District

19.9%
2.

Warren County School District

16.1%
3.

Jefferson County School District

15.8%
4.

Madison County School District

14%
5.

Daviess County School District

13.8%
6.

Fayette County School District

13.2%
7.

Bullitt County School District

9.3%
8.

Kenton County School District

8.8%
9.

Boone County School District

7.6%
10.

Oldham County School District

6.3%

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Methodology

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

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.