SACRAMENTO — The state Department of Education has set aside $3.5 million in federal aid for schools with increased numbers of immigrant students this school year, Superintendent Tom Torlakson announced Monday.

The money can be used to improve instruction, provide tutoring and boost outreach to parents. School districts are eligible to receive the funding if they can demonstrate 3 percent growth in immigrant students compared to their average for the two previous years.

In response to a recent influx of unaccompanied immigrant children in the state, Torlakson reminded districts they are obligated to serve every child no matter where they were born. The federal funding is expected to provide about $94 per immigrant student.

So far, demand for the federal Title III immigrant funding has not increased in the state, according to a news release.