Impact aid program, title VII, section 7002

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded Sierra Sands Unified School District $1,108,695 on October 1, 2025, through the Impact Aid Program (CFDA 84.041), Title VII, Section 7002, a project grant supporting six years of operations through September 30, 2031.

Sierra Sands Unified School District, a California-based public school district serving Ridgecrest, received this funding to offset revenue losses caused by federal land acquisition within the district's tax base. Under Section 7002 of the Impact Aid statute, the district qualifies for assistance where an aggregate of 10 percent or more of the assessed valuation of all real property in the school district has been acquired by the Federal Government since 1938. The district's student population includes a significant military-connected cohort, reflecting the presence of federal military installations in the area.

Impact Aid funds replace local revenue that would otherwise be available to local educational agencies educating children living on or connected to federal property, since such property is exempt from local property taxes. Payments are made annually to eligible recipients and are computed on a statutory formula basis, prorated if appropriations are insufficient. The district must retain records supporting payment amounts for three years after the last payment for each fiscal year.