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

Refreshed annually
About 18.3% or 7 in 40 dollars of North Carolina public school funding came from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year. As with most schools nationwide, North Carolina 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.

18.3%

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

$2.42K

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, North Carolina 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 North Carolina received 18.3% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

In all, public schools in North Carolina received $3.73 billion, or $2,558 in federal funds per student. That's 5.4% lower than the national average of $2,233 per student.

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During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in North Carolina received $2,420 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 121 school districts in North Carolina, the Weldon City Schools outside of metro areas received 37.6% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year, more than any other in the state. The Currituck County Schools in the Virginia Beach, VA area received the smallest share at 6.8%.

Federal funding made up 6.8% to 37.6% of North Carolina school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Cumberland County Schools received 25.8% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among North Carolina's 10 largest school districts. The Cumberland County Schools also had the highest federal funding in the group at $3,429 per student. The Cabarrus County Schools had the lowest share at 10.3% or $1,273 per student.

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

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

Cumberland County Schools

25.8%
2.

Gaston County Schools

24.6%
3.

Forsyth County Schools

23.5%
4.

Guilford County Schools

18.3%
5.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

18.2%
6.

Durham Public Schools

17%
7.

Union County Public Schools

11.8%
8.

Johnston County Schools

11%
9.

Wake County Schools

10.8%
10.

Cabarrus County Schools

10.3%

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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.