Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, any and all money received or that may be received by the state for the use or benefit of the state or any city or town for educational purposes from appropriations made by virtue of or under any act or acts of the congress of the United States shall be received by the general treasurer who shall provide for the proper custody of the money. The state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the disbursement of the money or any part of it, upon receipt by the controller of properly authenticated vouchers approved by the department of elementary and secondary education.