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

Refreshed annually
About 11.2% or 1 in 9 dollars of Pennsylvania public school funding came from the federal government during the 2023–24 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Pennsylvania 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.

11.2%

of public school funding came from federal sources, 2023–24 school year

$2.81K

federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2023–24 school year
During the 2023–24 school year, the latest year data was available, Pennsylvania schools received a lower share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (11.7%).

During the 2023–24 school year, public schools in Pennsylvania received 11.2% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

In all, public schools in Pennsylvania received $4.76 billion, or $2,814 in federal funds per student. That's 14.4% higher than the national average of $2,460 per student.

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During the 2023–24 school year, public schools in Pennsylvania received $2,814 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 the 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 concentrations 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 498 school districts in Pennsylvania, the Salisbury-Elk Lick School District in the outside of metro areas received 33.3% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year, more than any other in the state. The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in the Philadelphia, PA area received the smallest share at 0.71%.

Federal funding made up 0.71% to 33.3% of Pennsylvania school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Reading School District received 17.1% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among Pennsylvania's 10 largest school districts. The Philadelphia City School District had the highest federal funding in the group, it received $5,228 per student. The Downingtown Area School District had the lowest share at 2% or $412 per student.

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

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

Reading School District

17.1%
2.

Allentown City School District

14.4%
3.

Philadelphia City School District

13.6%
4.

Upper Darby School District

13.1%
5.

Pittsburgh School District

11.7%
6.

Central Dauphin School District

9.9%
7.

Bethlehem Area School District

9.8%
8.

North Penn School District

3.5%
9.

Central Bucks School District

3.3%
10.

Downingtown Area School District

2%

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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.