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

Refreshed annually
About 9.8% or 1 in 10 dollars of Virginia public school funding came from the federal government during the 2023–24 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.

9.8%

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

$1.9K

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, Virginia 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 Virginia received 9.8% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

In all, public schools in Virginia received $2.4 billion, or $2,460 in federal funds per student. That's 22.6% lower than the national average of $1,903 per student.

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During the 2023–24 school year, public schools in Virginia received $1,903 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 131 school districts in Virginia, the Petersburg City Public Schools in the Richmond, VA area received 31.2% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 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 2.9%.

Federal funding made up 2.9% to 31.2% of Virginia school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Norfolk City Public Schools received 23.9% of its 2022–23 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 at $4,431 per student. The Loudoun County Public Schools had the lowest share at 3.6% or $752 per student.

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

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

Norfolk City Public Schools

23.9%
2.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

12%
3.

Chesapeake City Public Schools

10.3%
4.

Stafford County Public Schools

10.3%
5.

Prince William County Public Schools

9.9%
6.

Henrico County Public Schools

9.7%
7.

Chesterfield County Public Schools

9.6%
8.

Fairfax County Public Schools

7.8%
9.

Arlington County Public Schools

3.9%
10.

Loudoun County Public Schools

3.6%

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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.