TEFA Disability Funding: Up to $30,000/Year

Why $30,000?

Texas recognizes that students with disabilities often need more intensive educational support. The enhanced funding tier allows families to access:

• Multiple tutoring sessions per week
• Specialized therapies (speech, occupational, behavioral)
• Assistive technology
• Intensive intervention programs
• A combination of services tailored to their child's needs

How the Enhanced Award Actually Works

This is the most misunderstood part of TEFA, so let's be precise. The enhanced amount is not a flat $30,000, and a diagnosis letter alone does not unlock it:

Qualifying Conditions

TEFA uses the IDEA disability categories. Remember: what raises the award is the services in your child's IEP, not the diagnosis label itself:

Priority Placement

Students with disabilities aren't just eligible for more funding — they're also in the first priority group for receiving TEFA awards. This means:

• If funding is limited, students with disabilities are funded first
• Combined with family income up to 500% FPL, you're at the top of the list
• Siblings of approved students are also automatically eligible

What $30,000 Can Cover

With $30,000 in annual funding, a family could afford:

How to Document Your Child's Disability

If Your Child Has an IEP:

During the TEFA application, you'll authorize the program to verify your child's learning profile with their Texas school district. This is the simplest path — no additional paperwork needed.

If Your Child Doesn't Have an IEP:

Two separate things are worth doing:

• For priority placement now: have a licensed professional who is qualified to certify your child's disability complete and sign the Comptroller's Disability Certification Form (a full individual evaluation from a Texas district or a verified out-of-state IEP also works). This secures Tier 1 priority at the standard $10,474. An SSI/SSDI letter or a stand-alone diagnosis letter is not an accepted proof under the final rules.
• For the enhanced award later: request a free special-education evaluation from your school district in writing (required under Child Find even if your child isn't enrolled). The resulting IEP, once on file with TEA, is what supports an award above $10,474 in the next application period.

What You Should Know Before Switching

TEFA students enrolled in private school leave the public school system: the private school is not required to implement your child's IEP, and federal IDEA/FAPE protections don't apply the way they do in public school (the program administrator provides this notice during enrollment). You keep the right to return to public school, where IDEA protections resume — and your district must still evaluate your child on request while you participate.

Using Disability Funding for Tutoring

Special needs tutoring is one of the most impactful ways to use TEFA disability funding. With $30,000 available, families can access the intensive, individualized support that public schools often can't provide.

Our tutors specialize in working with students who have autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. We understand IEPs, align our instruction with ARD goals, and provide the consistent, structured support these students need.

Disability Funding FAQ

Does a 504 plan qualify for the $30,000 tier?

No. A 504 plan doesn't raise the award — only an IEP on file with TEA does (up to the $30,000 cap, based on your child's IEP services). A 504 plan by itself also isn't an accepted proof of disability for priority placement — for that, the program accepts an IEP, a full individual evaluation from a Texas district, a verified out-of-state IEP, or the Comptroller's Disability Certification Form signed by a qualified licensed professional. If your child has a 504, consider requesting a full IEP evaluation from your district — it's free and required on request under Child Find.

Does ADHD qualify for TEFA disability funding?

ADHD can qualify under "Other Health Impairment" — but the enhanced amount requires an IEP on file with TEA that documents it. For priority placement at the standard $10,474, a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse can certify ADHD on the Comptroller's Disability Certification Form — a diagnosis letter by itself isn't the accepted format. If ADHD significantly affects your child's education, request a district evaluation to pursue an IEP.

My child is homeschooled and has never had an IEP. Can they still get $30,000?

Not directly — two rules stand in the way. Homeschooled TEFA participants receive $2,000 per year regardless of disability, and the enhanced award requires both an IEP on file with TEA and enrollment in a participating accredited private school. The path to the higher amount: request a free district evaluation (required under Child Find for homeschooled children), obtain the IEP, and enroll in a participating private school. Then the award is based on your child's IEP services, up to $30,000.

Is the $30,000 amount per family or per child?

Per child. Each qualifying student receives their own award, and siblings of approved students are automatically eligible to apply.