Overview
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Federal funding is essential to support the diverse needs of Wisconsin's students, schools and libraries. It plays a key role in initiatives expanding access to school meals to hungry kids, career and technical education opportunities, academic enrichment, and much more.
Recent uncertainty surrounding federal funding and policy changes jeopardize the critical resources Wisconsin public schools and libraries rely on. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has created this webpage to offer up-to-date information, highlight the importance of these funds, and to provide tools and resources needed to advocate for Wisconsin's educational future. This page will be regularly updated with the latest developments as they become available.
Detailed List of Federal Program and Funding Cuts
Read more in-depth about how federal funding cuts affect Wisconsin students, families, schools, libraries, and communities below.
- September 5, 2025: Wisconsin Deaflblind Technical Assistance Project
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On September 5, 2025, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction was notified that funding allocated to the department to create an initiative that serves children and youth with combined vision and hearing loss was being terminated at the conclusion of the budgeted grant period (September 30, 2025).The Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project serves 170 students from birth through age 21 who live with both vision and hearing loss – 85 percent of whom have four or more disabilities. The project provides assistive technology tools, coaching, family support, and professional training across Wisconsin. The program was in the middle of a five-year grant cycle totaling more than $550,000, with funding expected to last through September 2028.
Additional information on this funding cut can be found in the DPI's news release.
- September 5, 2025: State Personnel Development Grant
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On September 5, 2025, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction was notified that funding allocated to the department intended to recruit and retain educators in the area of special education was being terminated at the conclusion of the budgeted grant period (September 30, 2025).The State Personnel Development Grant addresses Wisconsin’s critical special education teacher shortage, investing in educator recruitment, retention, and development. The $10.5 million, five-year grant funds programs like the Special Educator Induction Program, which in its first year supported 280 new special educators across the state, helping them stay in the profession and serve more students effectively. According to DPI data, only 46 percent of new special education teachers in Wisconsin remain in the field after seven years.
Through the SPDG, the DPI also partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to establish an innovative teacher residency program aimed at addressing this retention crisis.
Additional information on this funding cut can be found in the DPI's news release.
- April 29, 2025: School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant
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On April 29, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction received notification from the U.S. Department of Education that it was terminating the 2024 School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant Program, citing that it “no longer effectuates the best interest of the federal government.” The funding was part of a nationwide initiative to increase the number of school-based mental health professionals, including school counselors, psychologists, and social workers.The $10 million grant, awarded in 2024 and intended to span five years, was a lifeline for schools in meeting the growing mental health needs of their students. Funding from this grant was already being used to expand online certification pathways, support “grow your own” programs for future school mental health providers and offer statewide training and professional development to improve retention rates. It is the DPI’s understanding that the 2024 SBMHP’s initial funding, which is already in progress, will remain through Dec. 31. 2025. However, the remaining four years – totaling $8 million – will be canceled.
Wisconsin was one of 22 states to receive the grant award last year, building on the success of the DPI’s 2020 pilot program (the 2020 grant is not impacted by this non-continuation). The state saw a 14 percent reduction in the student-to-school based mental health professional ratio in participating local education agencies. Additionally, 487 new students enrolled in University of Wisconsin System graduate pupil services certification programs, and since the 2021-22 school year, 348 new mental health professionals have been hired to serve in local education agencies. More information on the impact of this grant can be found in this resource.
A news release on this grant program being cut can be found on the DPI's website.
- April 27, 2025: AmeriCorps Grants – Farm to School Program
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On April 27, 2025, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction was notified by Serve Wisconsin, the state’s National and Community Service Board, that the federal AmeriCorps organization was immediately terminating several grant awards. The reason given: the awards “no longer effectuate agency priorities.”The decision directly affects the DPI’s AmeriCorps Farm to School Program — an initiative that has made a significant, measurable impact on student health, community engagement, and local food systems across Wisconsin. Operated by the DPI’s School Nutrition team, the program helps improve child nutrition through hands-on education, strengthens communities by developing future leaders, connects schools with local farmers and businesses, and supports long-term, sustainable health initiatives in schools.
In 2023-24 alone, the program’s 20 full- and part-time AmeriCorps members served 15 public school districts and on private school statewide. They reached 4,812 students with nutrition education, conducted over 900 local food taste tests, introduced local foods into school lunches 11,640 times, connected nearly 40 farmers with students through field trips and classroom visits, and spent more than 700 hours working with students in school gardens.
The program’s reach and results speak to its value — strengthening Wisconsin communities, improving student well-being, and building a healthier future for the state.
- March 28, 2025: Homeless Children & Youth Administrative Funds
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In March, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon notified states that previously approved extensions for pandemic-era funding were being revoked. This includes a critical extension that allowed Wisconsin to continue providing statewide support for students experiencing homelessness.
Recent data shows youth homelessness in Wisconsin is at an all-time high, and that students without stable housing are recovering academically from the pandemic at a slower pace than their peers. The now-eliminated funding was a key part of Wisconsin’s plan to help close that gap.
In collaboration with the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, the Department of Public Instruction had been using American Rescue Plan – Homeless Children and Youth Administrative Funds to deliver vital wraparound services. These services included case management, family support, and other resources that help homeless students stay engaged and succeed in school.
The DPI has formally requested a new extension from the U.S. Department of Education but is still awaiting a response. Read the DPI's news release for additional details. - March 7, 2025: Local Food to Schools Program
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On March 7, 2025, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction was informed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it is terminating the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement, which allocated $11.4 million over a three-year period to Wisconsin. This funding provided an additional source to regular meal reimbursements and supported local food supply chains while improving the quality of school meals across Wisconsin.
The Local Food for Schools Program connects Wisconsin schools with local small farmers and producers to provide students access to unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, about $3.5 million was distributed across the state, directly benefiting Wisconsin schools and various non-school entities like food hubs and aggregators.
Over 230 schools and districts across Wisconsin benefited from additional local food in their school meal programs. Additionally, 11 non-school entities, supporting more than 250 small farmers and food producers, participated in the program, helping to sustain local economies and provide students with healthier meal options.
The broader economic impact of this initiative is estimated to range from $3.8 million to $6.8 million, reflecting not only its importance for students' health but also its positive effect on the state's agricultural economy.
Future of Fiscal Year 2025 Funds
In June, the U.S. Department of Education announced it was withholding over $72 million from Wisconsin in funding for certain federal Title education programs. The USDE has since reversed its decision and has sent grant award notifications to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction outlining further details on each grant program.
After DPI review, the agency moved forward with posting allocations for school districts on these funding programs. These allocations are now available on the DPI's Elementary and Secondary Education Act webpage.
The DPI has developed a map to show the impact of this Title funding on school districts across the state. For a detailed breakdown of this funding by program, view this comprehensive spreadsheet.
Note: These impact amounts are based on school year 2024-25 amounts.
Proposed Federal Funding Cut: Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers
In late May, President Trump and the U.S. Department of Education released their Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget proposal. This proposal includes ending the dedicated federal funding for the 21st CCLC program.
Eliminating this funding would impact tens of thousands of Wisconsin students and families. >>> Learn more about Wisconsin CCLC's and their impact on communities across the state in this interactive data story.
Federal Funding by School District
To understand the impact of federal funding, the DPI has developed a one-page flyer showing the amount of money allocated to Wisconsin. In addition, below you can access individualized flyers for each Wisconsin school district, detailing the amount of federal funding each district receives, the percentage of their revenue limit it represents, and the number of educator-equivalent jobs supported by these funds.
We encourage you to use these flyers to highlight your district's reliance on federal funding and to demonstrate the significant impact these resources have on your community's educational future.
- Expand to View District Flyers
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Federal Funding Interactive Maps
School Districts
The DPI has launched a new interactive map showing how federal funding impacts each school district statewide.
Federal funding is crucial to supporting the education and well-being of every student in Wisconsin. These resources help provide essential services for students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged families, youth mental health programs, and English learners. They also support vital initiatives such as access to school meals, career and technical education, academic enrichment, and much more.
Use this map to explore how federal funding directly benefits your district and helps strengthen educational opportunities for all Wisconsin students.
- About the Map and Data
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This map shows local school district US Department of Education (USDE) allocations (FY25), US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expenditures reimbursements (FY24), the total of those funds as a percentage of local revenue caps (FY25), and an estimate of how many educators and professional licensed staff could be funded using the USDE funding (based on average WI statewide total salary and benefits cost for educators and professional licensed staff) (FY 24).
Download the data by congressional and legislative district
- Map Tools
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- Upper left: district/location search, navigation buttons, district type filter
- Upper right: info, share, export, and print buttons
- Lower left: map legend
- Lower right: basemap toggle
- Disclaimer:
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The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has made a reasonable effort to ensure that the accompanying information is up-to-date, accurate, complete, and comprehensive at the time of disclosure. These records reflect data as reported to this agency by the educational community we serve for the reporting period indicated. These records are a true and accurate representation of the data on file at the DPI. Authenticated information is accurate only as of the time of validation and verification. The DPI is not responsible for data that is misinterpreted or altered in any way. Derived conclusions and analyses generated from this data are not to be considered attributable to the DPI.
Public Libraries
The DPI has launched an interactive map showing how federal funding impacts libraries statewide.
Federal funding and programs are vital to supporting the libraries and the lifelong learning journey of all those residing in Wisconsin.
These resources empower Wisconsin libraries to best serve their communities. They help fund important initiatives like access to interlibrary loan, summer library programs, workforce development, and more.
In addition, federal funding supports consulting services to libraries throughout the state, cultivation of regional, statewide, and national collaborations, and innovative pilot programs aimed at improving library service for the people of Wisconsin.
- About the Map and Data
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This map shows state public library system aid allocations (Calendar Year 2025), Institute for Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) allocations (FY25), and the total of federal funds as a percentage of state funding. For more information, visit the Library Services page.
- Map Tools
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Upper left: library/location search, navigation buttons
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Upper right: info, share, export, and print buttons
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Lower left: map legend
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Lower right: basemap toggle
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- Disclaimer
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The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has made a reasonable effort to ensure that the accompanying information is up-to-date, accurate, complete, and comprehensive at the time of disclosure. These records reflect data as reported to this agency by the educational community we serve for the reporting period indicated. These records are a true and accurate representation of the data on file at the DPI. Authenticated information is accurate only as of the time of validation and verification. The DPI is not responsible for data that is misinterpreted or altered in any way. Derived conclusions and analyses generated from this data are not to be considered attributable to the DPI.
Library Services and Technology Act Funding
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) ‘Grants to States Program’ is the largest source of federal funding support for library services in the U.S. Wisconsin received $3.23 Million in 2024, which equals $.55 spent annually per resident! View LSTA Infographic.