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

Updated Apr. 24, 2026Refreshed annually
About 13.8% or 1 in 7 dollars of Missouri public school funding came from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Missouri 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.

13.8%

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

$2.36K

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, Missouri 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 Missouri received 13.8% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Ask the data
Beta

We use AI to summarize the data, charts, and analysis we have on USAFacts

In all, public schools in Missouri received $2.11 billion, or $2,558 in federal funds per student. That's 7.7% lower than the national average of $2,774 per student.

Get weekly insights

Subscribe for data-driven insights. No spin, just the facts.

During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Missouri received $2,361 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 517 school districts in Missouri, the Seymour R-II School District in the Springfield, MO area received 56.6% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year, more than any other in the state. The West Platte County R-II School District in the Kansas City, MO area received the smallest share at 1.3%.

Federal funding made up 1.3% to 56.6% of Missouri school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

St. Louis City School District received 28.2% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among Missouri's 10 largest school districts. The St. Louis City School District also had the highest federal funding in the group at $7,978 per student. The Rockwood R-VI School District had the lowest share at 2.9% or $461 per student.

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

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

St. Louis City School District

28.2%
2.

Springfield R-XII School District

15.7%
3.

Columbia 93 School District

10.6%
4.

North Kansas City 74 School District

7.5%
5.

Lee's Summit R-VII School District

7%
6.

Francis Howell R-III School District

6.5%
7.

Fort Zumwalt R-II School District

6%
8.

Wentzville R-IV School District

3.5%
9.

Parkway C-2 School District

3.1%
10.

Rockwood R-VI School District

2.9%

Keep exploring

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.