The decision on how to spend the government’s money is one of the most important powers of the Legislative Branch. Beginning with the release of the President’s Budget in February and continuing throughout the Congressional session, the Appropriations process is the procedure by which Congress decides on what and where money will be spent for the upcoming federal fiscal year (October – September). Like all laws, upon passage of the appropriations bills by both houses of Congress, the President will sign the new funding levels into law.

Federal funding plays a critical role in supporting research, student aid and graduate education at colleges and universities across the nation.