Federal & State Grants

ederal, state and local governments distribute billions of dollars in targeted assistance to schools each year to help cover the cost of instructional materials, staff, professional development, and innovative technology.  Many of these dollars may be available to your school. All you need to do is apply!

Over $100 billion of school funding comes from No Child Left Behind, the federal government’s program to fund effective programs that improve student achievement, particularly among students and families living in high-need communities.

There are two basic categories of funding available from your federal & state governments:

		Formula Funding Federal money is typically awarded based on a formula that calculates the funding amount per student times the number of students in poverty (using census data or children receiving federal assistance in school lunches). The total dollar amount is the allocated "formula" grant your school or district receives in a given year.
		Competitive Funding Some federal funding is allocated to schools and districts through competitions. The timing and requirements of these competitions vary from state to state, but typically require that targeted programs are based in scientific research and are proven to have a positive impact on student achievement.

Where Do I Start?

	Explore your options. If you serve students in low-income areas, children with special needs or English language learners, it is likely that your school or district is eligible for state and federal assistance.   Check out Formula and Competitive funding opportunities that might be a good match for your project. Select your state from this map to visit the Grants & Funding section of your state Department of Education website.

Additional Resources 

		Houghton Mifflin No Child Left Behind
		No Child Left Behind