Special Education Grants to States

CFDA 84.027 Active Formula Grants
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$14.39B FY2025
$11.91B
FY16
$12B
FY17
$12B
FY18
$12.36B
FY19
$12.76B
FY20
$15.52B
FY21
$13.34B
FY22
$14.19B
FY23
$14.21B
FY24*
$14.39B
FY25*
* estimated

Who has received this funding

Organizations awarded under CFDA 84.027 (USAspending.gov).

Program Objective

To provide grants to States to assist them in providing special education and related services to all children with disabilities.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Sponsored organization
  • U.S. territories (incl. universities)

State educational agencies in the 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and Virgin Islands, the Department of the Interior, and freely associated States. Local educational agencies apply to their State educational agency for subgrants.

Beneficiaries

  • 11
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 66
  • 67
  • 68

Children with disabilities will benefit.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

States are eligible to receive funds under this program if the State establishes eligibility for funds under Section 612 of Part B of the IDEA. Local education agencies establish eligibility by meeting local application eligibility requirements of Section 613 of Part B of the IDEA.

Award Procedure

Once the State application has been approved, a grant award is forwarded to the State department of education. Notification of the award is made to Chief State School Officer. States make subgrants to eligible local educational agencies from their initial grant award after setting aside funds for administration and state-level activities.

The time for reviewing the State’s application is determined by EDGAR (in 34 CFR §76.703) and ranges from 45 to 90 days.

Program details & compliance

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

States must distribute all grant funds that the State does not reserve for administration of the program or other State-level activities to eligible local educational agencies. Funds are used by State and local educational agencies, in accordance with the IDEA, to help provide the special education and related services needed to make a free appropriate public education available to all eligible children and, in some cases, to provide early intervening services.

Required Documentation

No State or jurisdiction may receive a grant unless the Secretary has approved the annual application and statement of assurances.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Gregg Corr
(202) 245-7309
Office of Special Education Programs, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2024-11-15. Spec v1.0. Last synced: 2026-06-01 05:55:22.