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FY18 Government Spending Bill Includes Large Increases for Education

March 23, 2018 by Sara
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Congress approved and the President signed the government spending bill for fiscal year (FY) 2018 on Friday. The bill includes large increases for education which is a huge departure from the President’s budget submitted to Congress in early 2017.

Arguably the most exciting news from this bill is the $700 million increase for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant program under Title IV of ESSA. While still short of the authorized level of $1.6 billion, this grant program is the only program in ESSA targeted specifically for education technology. SIIA released a statement applauding the $1.1 billion appropriation and will hold a webinar on Title IV funding in the coming weeks.

 

Other 2018 highlights:

  • Title I will increase $300 million from FY17.
  • Includes $120 million for Education Innovation and Research Program and sets aside $50 million for projects to bolster STEM education.
  • Impact Aid was zeroed out in the President’s budget but received an increase in the final bill to $1.4 billion.
  • TRI0 and GEAR UP saw increase from FY17 levels to $1.1 billion and $350 million, respectively.
  • Perkins Basic State Grants (career and technical education) were increased by $75 million representing the first increase in funding in several years.

 

Sara Sara Kloek is SIIA's Director for Education Policy.