Federal Support for Education, Fiscal Years 1980 to 1996

Book excerpt: This report attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of total federal financial support for education since fiscal year 1980. It takes into account programs that reside in Federal agencies other than the Department of Education if they have significant educational components. Federal support for education, excluding estimated Federal tax expenditures was an estimated $96.4 billion in fiscal year (FY) 1996, an increase of $33.6 billion, or 54%, since FY 1990. After adjustment for inflation, Federal support for education increased 29% between FY '90 and FY '96. In FY '96, on-budget Federal funds for education programs were estimated to be $70.9 billion, an increase of 37% since FY 90 in current dollars or an increase of 15% after being adjusted for inflation. Off-budget support and nonFederal funds generated by Federal legislation were estimated at $25.6 billion, an increase of 92% in constant dollars since FY '90. Between FY '90 and FY '96 funds for elementary and secondary education increased 34% in constant dollars. Over 58% of Federal education support, excluding estimated Federal tax expenditures, went to educational institutions in FY '96. The estimated share of expenditures of educational institutions declined from 14% in FY '80 to 10% in FY '90, but rose to 11% in FY '96. Six appendixes present detailed tables of expenditures. (Contains nine tables, six appendix tables, and three figures.) (SLD)