Maine Department of Education
Funding Formula: Essential Programs and Services (EPS)
A Comprehensive Guide to K-12 Grants
Get easy access to a wide range of federal, state, and local funding options tailored specifically for K-12 schools.
Focuses on grants that address top priorities such as student safety, student wellbeing & mental health, community engagement, & digital learning.
Gain a better understanding of how various K-12 grants can be used in school settings, with specific examples and use cases.
Navigating federal, state, and local funding can be overwhelming — especially when budgets and resources are tight.
Use this Resource Center to explore grants specific to your state and local needs.
The federal government, through various laws and appropriations, allocates funding for K-12 education.
Federal funding is targeted support for specific programs and needs, with an emphasis on equity.
State governments are the primary source of funding for K-12 schools and most states use a funding formula to distribute state funds to local school districts.
State Education Agency (SEA) are also responsible for allocating federal funds to Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
Government agencies play important roles in funding and supporting K-12 schools.
These agencies provide targeted funding for areas like school safety, health services, technology infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, which complement funding provided by the Department of Education.
This resource guide supports K-12 schools in locating Federal, state, and local funding to enhance safety and security.
In K-12 education, funding generally comes from three main sources: federal, state, and local.
Each level has a distinct role in providing resources to public schools. Government agencies support federal, state, and local funding programs.
Federal Funding Resources
The federal government, through various laws and appropriations, allocates funding for K-12 education.
Federal funding is targeted support for specific programs and needs, with an emphasis on equity.
State Funding Resources
State governments are the primary source of funding for K-12 schools and most states use a funding formula to distribute state funds to local school districts.
State Education Agency (SEA) are also responsible for allocating federal funds to Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
Government Agencies
Government agencies play important roles in funding and supporting K-12 schools.
These agencies provide targeted funding for areas like school safety, health services, technology infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, which complement funding provided by the Department of Education.
Explore federal, state, and local K-12 grants geared towards enhancing student safety, security, and wellbeing.
Select Your State
Select your state to view information about State Education Agencies, funding formulas, and state-specific grant resources.
View Federal Grants
Explore federal grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies
Federal funding is a lifeline for many K-12 schools struggling with resources.
In this guide, we're focusing on federal legislation that offers provisions for:
Student safety
Student mental health & wellbeing
Parental & community engagement
Technology infrastructure
Digital literacy
Federal funding from the Department of Education gives schools the means to address challenging issues and support students who need it most.
Vital legislation from the DoE include:
ESSA/ESEA
ESSER Funds
School-Based Mental Health Services Program
Mental Health Professional Demonstration Grant
The FCC funds helps K-12 schools stay connected with the right internet access and digital tools. This helps schools build a strong tech foundation with resources tailored to a modern education environment.
FCC funds include:
E-Rate Funding
Emergency Connectivity Fund
Pilot Program
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services funds K-12 schools to support student health and wellbeing.
From mental health services to programs that promote healthy habits, this funding helps schools create safe, supportive environments.
Key funding programs include:
Project AWARE
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
The Department of Justice provides funding to help K-12 schools improve safety and security.
This support covers programs that address violence prevention, bullying, and community outreach.
Key funding programs include:
STOP School Violence Act
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
Improve school conditions for learning, and ensure students have access to effective technology.
Student Safety initiatives:
Technology:
Create an engaging learning experience by supporting after-school and summer programs.
Supports school climate improvement initiatives and allow interventions that may include mental health services and student safety measures.
Instructional Staff and Resources:
Mental Health Support:
Provides professional development funds, which can be used to train educators on mental health awareness, student safety, and the use of technology in the classroom.
Title I: Support for At-Risk Students
Purpose: To support mental health services for students.
Funds can be used to:
21st Century Community Learning Centers
Title IV: Part A
Purpose: To improve the use of educational technology in schools and support mental health initiatives.
Title II Funding
Purpose: Aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders.
Use cases: Funds are often used for professional development, recruitment, and retention of effective educators.
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
Administered by: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Purpose: COPS provides funding to support local law enforcement efforts to build trust and collaboration with K-12 schools.
Funds can be used to:
STOP School Violence School Act
Administered by: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Purpose: The STOP School Violence Act aims to enable school personnel and students to identify, assess, and report potential threats before they escalate into violence.
Funds can be used to:
E-Rate Program
Project AWARE
Select your state region.
Funding Formulas
Most states have a foundational education funding formula that allocates state funds to school districts based on factors like student enrollment, poverty levels, local property taxes, and additional student needs
Lottery Funds
Many states allocate a portion of lottery revenue to support K-12 education. These funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including classroom supplies, scholarships, and capital projects.
Legislation
States frequently pass legislation to fund school safety initiatives, including physical security enhancements, mental health resources, and violence prevention programs.
Funding Formula: Education Cost Sharing (ECS) Formula
Funding Formula: Essential Programs and Services (EPS)
Funding Formula: Chapter 70 Program
Funding Formula: State Adequacy Aid
Funding Formula: School Funding Reform Act (SFRA)
Funding Formula: Foundation Aid (CPP)
Funding Formula: Fair Funding Formula
Funding Formula: State Education Aid (Distributes state aid based on student needs and district capacity)
Funding Formula: Evidence Based Funding for Student Success Act (EBF)
Funding Formula: State Tuition Support Formula
Funding Formula: School Foundation Aid Formula (State Cost Per Pupil)
Funding Formula: Kansas School Equity and Enhancement Act (KSEEA)
Funding Formula: Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK)
Funding Formula: Foundation Allowance (Per-pupil funding)
Funding Formula: General Education Revenue Program
Funding Formula: Successful Schools Model
Funding Formula: Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA)
Funding Formula: Foundation Aid Program (per pupil-based)
Funding Formula: Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP)
Funding Formula: General Education Funding Formula
Funding Formula: Foundation Program (resource-based funding formula)
Funding Formula: The current system, known as the "unit count" formula, primarily allocates funding based on student enrollment.
The Public Education Funding Commission, is currently exploring options to update or replace the existing formula by 2025.
Funding Formula: Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP)
Funding Formula: Primarily based on Weighted Average Daily Membership (WADM)
Funding Formula: Quality Basic Education
Funding Formula: Minimum Foundation Program (MFP)
Funding Formula: Blueprint for Maryland's Future
Funding Formula: Mississippi Student Funding Formula (MSFF)
Funding Formula: Resource-based allocation model (Resource)
Funding Formula: State Aid to Classrooms
Funding Formula: Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA)
Funding Formula: Foundation School Program (FSP)
Funding Formula: Standards of Quality (SOQ)
Funding Formula: Public School Support Program (PSSP)
Funding Formula: Local Control Funding Formula
Funding Formula: School Finance Act
Funding Formula: Weighted Student Formula
Funding Formula: Idaho's funding model has been based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA), however, efforts are underway to transition towards a weighted, per-student funding model. Learn more.
Funding Formula: The funding is primarily based on student enrollment through a metric called Average Number Belonging (ANB).
Funding Formula: Pupil-Centered Funding Plan (PCFP)
Funding Formula: State Equalization Guarantee (SEG)
Funding Formula: Minimum School Program (MSP), which is primarily funded through the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) system
Funding Formula: Prototypical School Funding Model
Funding Formula: School Foundation Program (SFP)
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act aims to increase school safety by funding mental health programs, crisis intervention, and violence prevention efforts. Now in its second year, it provides additional funding to various federal initiatives, including:
Aimed at enhancing on-site mental health support in K-12 schools by funding qualified staff and resources.
Funding use cases:
Designed to help K-12 schools improve student safety and create more supportive learning environments. Initiatives should promote mental and physical safety.
Funding use cases:
Designed to increase the number of school-based mental health professionals (such as counselors and social workers) by funding partnerships between K-12 schools and higher education programs.
Funding use case:
Designed to help schools develop a sustainable infrastructure for school-based mental health programs and services.
Staff Training (i.e., helping staff recognize early signs of mental health issues and provide timely interventions)
Student support programs: (i.e., peer mentoring, counseling)
Community partnerships (i.e, partnerships with local mental health organizations)
The School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP), a grant offered by COPS, is a part of the STOP School Violence Act of 2018.
Provides federal funding to help K-12 schools prevent and respond to violence through evidence-based programs and resources.
Funding use cases:
With the right future-proof edtech tools, you can manage and monitor online activity to mitigate risks and protect your students.
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