States that received the most federal aid for schools, fiscal 2017

The federal government provided states with nearly $55.2 billion in fiscal 2017 for public elementary and secondary schools.
June 25, 2019

The federal government provides only about 8% of the revenue that public school districts receive, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but that still amounts to a sizeable sum.

In 2016-17, federal sources provided nearly $55.3 billion to public K-12 school systems in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Some funding came directly from federal sources, and some is distributed through the states via programs such as special education, child nutrition or Title I.

California, the largest state, also received the most federal funding—about $7.89 billion. Vermont received the least federal funding in fiscal 2017—$110.2 million.

Here are the 10 states that received the most federal funding in fiscal 2017.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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