APS Impact Aid Survey: What Alamogordo Parents Need to Do
Published 21 October 2026
Alamogordo Public Schools is asking every parent and guardian to complete the 2026 Federal Impact Aid Survey in the PowerSchool Parent Portal, one form for each child. It takes about five minutes, and it helps the district receive federal dollars that make up for property taxes it cannot collect on Holloman Air Force Base and other federal land. If you are military, a DoD civilian or a federal employee, your answers matter most, but APS wants every family to turn it in.
The district posted the reminder on 19 October 2026, and I wanted to pass it along because so many of my clients are Holloman families who are new to how school funding works here.
What is Federal Impact Aid?
According to the APS Impact Aid page, local property taxes are a main source of school funding. Federal properties such as Holloman Air Force Base, White Sands National Park, U.S. Forest Service land and federal housing do not pay property tax.
To make up for that lost revenue, the U.S. Department of Education sends Federal Impact Aid to the district. APS says the money goes into its operating budget and helps pay for classroom technology, academic and specialized programs, and teaching and support staff.
Who counts as federally connected?
Many families assume this survey is only for the military. It is not. APS says you count if a parent or guardian in your home is one of the following:
| If a parent or guardian in your home... | Examples APS lists |
|---|---|
| Serves in the Uniformed Services or is a DoD civilian | Active duty Airmen at Holloman, DoD civilian employees |
| Works for a federal agency on federal property | Holloman AFB, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Forest Service, White Sands National Park, Mescalero Indian Hospital, Border Patrol |
| Lives on federal property or in federal housing | Families living in housing on a federal installation |
If none of those apply to you, APS still asks you to submit the form. You simply check the boxes in Section 3.
How do I fill out the Impact Aid survey?
APS lists three steps:
- Sign in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal.
- Click Forms on the main menu.
- Fill out and submit the 2026 Impact Aid Survey, once for each child.
The district says it handles the information with confidentiality. The APS announcement did not list a deadline, so the safest plan is to do it this week. If you have questions, call the APS Call Center at 575-812-8573.
Why does five minutes matter so much?
The district can only claim Impact Aid for students whose families report a federal connection. A missing form means a student may not be counted. With Holloman right next door, Alamogordo has a lot of federally connected families, and every survey helps the district show the full picture.
You can read more about the program on the U.S. Department of Education's Impact Aid overview.
What does this mean for families moving here?
If you are PCSing to Holloman, plan on seeing this survey every school year. It is one of the easiest ways to support the school your kids attend, and it costs you nothing.
When families ask me about schools during a move, I point them to my PCSing to Holloman: Schools and Enrollment guide and the Holloman AFB relocation page. If you are comparing homes off base, my neighborhoods guide is a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the APS Federal Impact Aid Survey?
It is a short form that tells Alamogordo Public Schools which students have a parent or guardian connected to federal work or federal property. The district uses it to apply for federal Impact Aid funding.
Who should fill out the Impact Aid survey?
APS asks every parent or guardian to submit it for each child. If no federal connection applies to you, you just check the boxes in Section 3.
Where do I find the Impact Aid survey?
Sign in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and click Forms on the main menu. Choose the 2026 Impact Aid Survey and submit one for each student.
Do federal workers who are not military count?
Yes. APS lists Post Office, Forest Service, White Sands National Park, Mescalero Indian Hospital and Border Patrol employees, among other federal agencies.
Who do I call with questions about the survey?
Call the APS Call Center at 575-812-8573. The district's Impact Aid page also links to form guidance.
Details come from the Alamogordo Public Schools announcement dated 19 October 2026, the APS Impact Aid Student-Parent Survey page and the U.S. Department of Education, checked on 21 October 2026. Contact APS with any questions about your family's form.