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Federal Programs

General Information

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides federal funding to state educational agencies to support the academic success of eligible students. Harnett County Schools receives funding as a sub-recipient of ESEA grants. Title I and Title IV funds are administered through the Office of Federal Programs.

The Office of Federal Programs is responsible for:

  • Serving as a liaison between Harnett County Schools, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and the U.S. Department of Education

  • Assisting district and school staff in interpreting and implementing federal regulations

  • Monitoring processes related to annual needs assessments, school improvement planning, and program implementation

  • Supporting the development and execution of federal programs, including Title I, Title IV, Title VII (Impact Aid), and the Army Youth Program in Your Neighborhood

  • Providing guidance on fiscal compliance and management of federal funds

Title I

Title I is the largest federal funding source provided to local educational agencies under ESEA. It offers financial assistance to schools with high numbers or percentages of students from low-income families. The purpose of Title I is to help ensure that all children, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, have access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to meet state academic standards.

Title IV

Title IV, Part A of ESEA—also known as the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program—focuses on improving student achievement by:

  • Expanding access to a well-rounded education

  • Enhancing school conditions to support student learning

  • Increasing the effective use of technology to improve academic outcomes and digital literacy

Title VII (Impact Aid)

The Impact Aid Program provides financial support to school districts affected by the presence of tax-exempt federal property or the enrollment of federally connected students. These funds help offset the loss of local property tax revenue and address the additional costs associated with educating students connected to military installations, federal housing, and other federal properties.

Impact Aid supports districts with significant populations of students who:

  • Reside on military bases or other federal properties

  • Live in low-rent federal housing

  • Have parents serving in the uniformed services or employed on eligible federal properties

Contact Us

If you have questions regarding this information on Federally Funded Programs, please contact Ashley Porter, Director of Federal Programs at Harnett County Schools by calling (910) 893-8151 or via email at aporter@harnett.k12.nc.us