What percentage of public school funding in Virginia comes from the federal government?
Data updated December 17, 2024
About 12.1% or one in every eight dollars of public school funding, during the 2021–22 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Virginia 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
12.1%
of public school funding came from federal sources, 2021-22 school year
$2.0K
federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2021-22 school year
During the 2021-22 school year, Virginia 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 Virginia received 12.1% of funding from the federal government.
Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources
In all, public schools in Virginia received $2.5 billion, or $2,038 in federal funds per student. That’s 19.6% lower than the national average of $2,233 per student.
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During the 2021-22 school year, public schools in Virginia received $2.0K 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 132 school districts in Virginia, the Greensville County Public Schools received 27.7% of its funds from the federal government during the 2021-22 school year, more than any other in the state. The Falls Church City Public Schools in the Washington, DC area received the smallest share at 3.1%.
Federal funding made up 3.1% to 27.7% of Virginia school district budgets in 2021-22.
Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources
Norfolk City Public Schools received 19.2% of its funding from federal sources, the highest among Virginia's 10 largest school districts. The Norfolk City Public Schools also had the highest federal funding in the group. It received $3,276 per student. The Loudoun County Public Schools had the lowest share at 5.0% or $991 per student.
The 10 largest school districts in Virginia based on 2021-22 enrollment.
| 1. | Norfolk City Public Schools | 19.2% |
| 2. | Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 13.6% |
| 3. | Stafford County Public Schools | 11.0% |
| 4. | Chesapeake City Public Schools | 10.2% |
| 5. | Fairfax County Public Schools | 10.0% |
| 6. | Chesterfield County Public Schools | 10.0% |
| 7. | Prince William County Public Schools | 8.6% |
| 8. | Arlington County Public Schools | 8.2% |
| 9. | Henrico County Public Schools | 7.3% |
| 10. | Loudoun County Public Schools | 5.0% |
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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 3 others
