What percentage of public school funding in New Jersey comes from the federal government?
Data updated December 17, 2024
About 7.7% or 1 in 13 dollars of public school funding, during the 2021–22 school year. As with most schools nationwide, New Jersey 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
7.7%
of public school funding came from federal sources, 2021-22 school year
$2.2K
federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2021-22 school year
During the 2021-22 school year, New Jersey schools received a lower share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (13.7%).
During the 2021-22 school year, public schools in New Jersey received 7.7% of funding from the federal government.
Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources
In all, public schools in New Jersey received $3.1 billion, or $2,232 in federal funds per student. That’s 12% lower than the national average of $2,536 per student.
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During the 2021-22 school year, public schools in New Jersey received $2.2K 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 564 school districts in New Jersey, the Lakewood Township School District in the New York, NY area received 36.1% of its funds from the federal government during the 2021-22 school year, more than any other in the state. The Sea Girt Borough School District in the New York, NY area received the smallest share at 0.9%.
Federal funding made up 0.9% to 36.1% of New Jersey school district budgets in 2021-22.
Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources
Union City School District received 13.1% of its funding from federal sources, the highest among New Jersey’s 10 largest school districts. The Union City School District also had the highest federal funding in the group. It received $3,703 per student. The Woodbridge Township School District had the lowest share at 5.1% or $1,328 per student.
The 10 largest school districts in New Jersey based on 2021-22 enrollment.
1. | Union City School District | 13.1% |
2. | Passaic City School District | 12.7% |
3. | Trenton City School District | 12.0% |
4. | Paterson City School District | 11.3% |
5. | Newark City School District | 9.8% |
6. | Elizabeth City School District | 8.6% |
7. | Jersey City School District | 8.0% |
8. | Toms River Regional School District | 7.6% |
9. | Edison Township School District | 5.6% |
10. | Woodbridge Township School District | 5.1% |
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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