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

Updated Apr. 24, 2026Refreshed annually
About 9.4% or 3 in 32 dollars of Maine public school funding came from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Maine 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.

9.4%

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

$1.99K

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, Maine schools received a lower share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (12.9%).

During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Maine received 9.4% 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 Maine received $346.8 million, or $2,558 in federal funds per student. That's 22% lower than the national average of $2,233 per student.

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During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Maine received $1,995 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 193 school districts in Maine, the Pembroke school district outside of metro areas received 23.7% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year, more than any other in the state. The School Administrative District 65 outside of metro areas received the smallest share at 0%.

Federal funding made up 0% to 23.7% of Maine school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Lewiston received 15.3% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among Maine's 10 largest school districts. The Lewiston also had the highest federal funding in the group at $3,577 per student. The South Portland had the lowest share at 2.8% or $575 per student.

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

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

Lewiston 

15.3%
2.

Sanford 

11.9%
3.

School Administrative District 17

11.3%
4.

Bangor 

11%
5.

Portland 

9.1%
6.

Auburn 

8.9%
7.

School Administrative District 06

6.4%
8.

School Administrative District 57

6.2%
9.

Regional School Unit 14

5.5%
10.

South Portland

2.8%

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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.