Federal Grant Award Summary

The County of Big Horn Big Horn Co School District 17H & 1 received a $3.95 million Project Grant under the Impact Aid Program (CFDA 84.041) from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2031. This award supports comprehensive K-12 educational services for the school district located in Hardin, Montana, an area significantly impacted by federal land presence and Native American reservation lands that reduce the local tax base. The funding enables the district to maintain and enhance educational programming including general instruction, special education, English language learning, school nutrition, career and technical education, teacher training, and technology integration.

The Impact Aid Program provides financial assistance to local educational agencies adversely affected by federal activities under Section 7003 of Title VII of the Education and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), specifically supporting districts where at least three percent or 400 federally connected children in average daily attendance reside on federal property or Native American lands, or have parents employed on federal property or in active uniformed service. For this school district with a significant Native American student population, the grant supports educational continuity and service delivery in an area where federal land acquisition has substantially reduced local property tax revenue necessary for school operations.