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Funding for Charter Schools

Charter school start-up funds are distributed from the federal government to the states which have charter school laws in place. The state’s department of education then distributes the money via a competitive process to new charter schools. In states that do not have charter school laws, choose not to participate in the funding program, or are not approved for funding, the U.S. Department of Education can distribute the money directly to charter school developers.

New charter schools receive up to three years of assistance, including funds for up to 18 months of planning prior to the time the school opens to students and no more than two years of funding following the opening. Typically schools receive $150,000 per year for three years.

If you are considering starting a charter school in any of the states where the U.S. Department of Education has approved applications, you should contact the state’s department of education for specific information regarding the application process. Those from other states should contact the U.S. Department of Education’s charter school office.

The U.S. Department of Education has approved applications for the list of states at the bottom of this page. This information was obtained from the US Department of Education Charter Schools Program web site. This site is a good source for additional information.

A large number of organizations are also available to assist charter school developers at both the state and national levels. National organizations include:

• National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (www.publiccharters.org)
• National Association of Charter School Authorizers (www.qualitycharters.org)
• National Charter School Conference (www.nationalcharterconference.org)
• US Charter Schools (www.uscharterschools.org)