A historical legal analysis of Impact Aid: Guidance for understanding financial reimbursements for military-affiliated students

Military affiliated children living in the United States generally attend local public schools and have a portion of their education expenses paid by the federal government through Impact Aid. President Harry Truman in 1950 established Impact Aid to provide financial relief to local education agencies (LEA) that were burdened by federal activity. The Department of Education oversees this federal education program that directly wire transfers funds to the bank accounts of LEAs that qualify. Many school administrators do not fully understand the provisions of the program and this lack of understanding results in school districts receiving less than the authorized level of Federal Impact Aid Funds. Many school districts stand to benefit significantly from Impact Aid revenue, once administrators gain knowledge of the program and accurately account for federally connected students that impact their districts.;This study involved an extensive search for historical and current statutory language and litigation surrounding issues related to funding the education of military affiliated children in American public schools. This is an area of the law that is constantly under review as it competes financially with other federal education programs. Thus, this study summarized and analyzed the history and current status of legislation and litigation for the purposes of providing educational administrators a concise, practical guide to understanding the law and to obtaining the maximum appropriated amount of Impact Aid. Using the history to inform the present, this paper will provide administrators with an understanding of why the law exists, how it has evolved, and how to receive the maximum benefits for their students.;Using standard legal research methodology, special attention was paid to Impact Aid legislation and the financial appropriations set by Congress. An extensive historical background of caselaw and statutes related to military affiliated students that qualify for Impact Aid, state and federal court decisions, law review articles, Impact Aid affiliated school network information, and other scholarly publications were reviewed.;This study concludes with recommendations for educators aimed at increasing maximum Impact Aid reimbursements and suggested topics for future studies.