        U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT
   NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS
                                   
                  MAY 1991          
                                   
    REPORT ON FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION,
   FISCAL YEARS 1980 TO 1990, NOW AVAILABLE

The federal government provides support for education well
beyond programs funded through the U.S. Department of
Education (ED).  Total federal support for education in
fiscal year (FY) 1990, excluding estimated federal tax
expenditures, was estimated at $61.8 billion, an increase of
$22.6 billion, or 58 percent, since FY 1980. After
adjustment for inflation, federal funds for education
increased 2 percent between FY 80 and FY 90. In FY 90, the
Department of Education's outlays totaled $22.4 billion,
reflecting an increase of 10 percent from FY 80, after
adjustment for inflation.  During this same period, ED's
share of total federal on-budget education support rose from
38 percent to 44 percent.

A report entitled FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION: FISCAL
YEARS 1980 TO 1990, published by the National Center for
Education Statistics, attempts to provide a comprehensive
picture of total federal financial support for education for 
fiscal years 1980 through 1990.

Following are some highlights from the report:

o  In FY 90, schools and colleges derived only about 11      
   percent of their revenues from the federal government,    
   excluding estimated federal tax expenditures, with the    
   remaining revenues coming from state and local            
   governments, individuals, and private organizations.

o  Between FY 80 and FY 90, after adjusting for inflation,   
   federal program funds for elementary and secondary        
   education declined 15 percent; postsecondary education   
   funds declined 24 percent; other education funds (which   
   includes libraries, museums, cultural activities, and     
   miscellaneous research) increased 46 percent; and funds   
   for research at institutions of higher education          
   increased 44 percent.

o  About 61 percent of total federal education support went  
   to educational institutions in FY 90. Another 17 percent  
   was used for student support.  Banks and other lending    
   agencies received about 11 percent and all other          
   recipients, including libraries, museums, and federal     
   institutions, received the balance of about 12 percent.

o  Other major sources of federal education dollars include  
   the Departments of Health and Human Services,             
   Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Labor, as well as the   
   National Science Foundation.

If you would like a copy of FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION:
FISCAL YEARS 1980 TO 1990, complete the following form and mail 
it to the address below:


                     OERI PUBLICATION REQUEST FORM           
        
                                                             
  
                                                             
  
   1. Publication(s) Requested: 

      Title:  Federal Support for Education:  Fiscal
              Years to 1980 to 1990, Now Available    
                     
       Number:  NCES 91-631A       

                                                             
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   3. INSTRUCTIONS

     There is no cost for the publications and availability  
     of copies are limited to the supply on hand.

     To obtain a copy of this publication, complete the      
     request form and mail to:

          U.S. Department of Education
          Office of Educational Research and Improvement
          Education Information Branch, Suite 310
          555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W.
          Washington, D.C.  20208-5641

            Or call 1 (800) 424-1616.
From Washington, D.C. call (202) 219-1513

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