Last updated: June 8, 2026
TEFA Disability Funding: What the Current Public Rule Says
Official TEFA guidance says awarded students in participating private schools may receive up to $30,000 when they have a current IEP on file with the state. This guide explains that rule and what it means.
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
Who Qualifies for $30,000?
According to the official TEFA special education funding guidance, additional funding is tied to a current IEP on file with the state for an awarded student enrolled in a participating private school.
Current IEP on File
The TEFA special education funding page says a participating private school student with an IEP from the 2023-24 school year or more recent may receive up to $30,000.
What the public guidance does and does not say
The public TEFA special education funding page does not publish a diagnosis-by-diagnosis list that independently unlocks the higher funding amount. Instead, the public rule ties the increase to a current IEP on file with the state for an awarded student in a participating private school.
Important distinction
A diagnosis, physician letter, disability certification, or 504 plan may still matter in other parts of the TEFA process, but the public funding-increase guidance does not say those documents alone trigger the full up to $30,000 amount.
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
- Priority status should not be confused with the separate public rule for the higher funding amount
What $30,000 Can Cover
With $30,000 in annual funding, a family could afford:
Example: Autism Support Package
- • 4 hours/week of specialized tutoring: ~$15,000/year
- • 2 hours/week speech therapy: ~$8,000/year
- • Curriculum materials and technology: ~$2,000/year
- • Assessment and progress monitoring: ~$1,000/year
- Total: $26,000/year — fully covered by TEFA
How to Document the Funding Increase
If Your Child Has an IEP:
This is the path the official TEFA special education funding page ties to the funding increase. If the IEP is current and on file with the state, the student may receive additional funding based on that record.
If Your Child Doesn't Have an IEP:
A disability certification or other documents may still matter for eligibility or prioritization, but the public TEFA special education funding guidance does not say those documents alone unlock the full up to $30,000 funding amount.
Using Disability Funding for Tutoring
Special needs tutoring is one of the most impactful ways to use TEFA disability funding. For families who meet the current IEP-based funding rule, the increased award can support more consistent and individualized services.
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.
Need help interpreting the current TEFA rule?
Schedule a free consultation to discuss how the current public TEFA guidance may apply to your child's tutoring plan.
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