Special Education Preschool Grants

To provide grants to States to assist them in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities ages 3 through 5 years, and at a State's discretion, to 2- year- old children with disabilities who will reach age three during the school year.

State educational agencies in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Local educational agencies apply to their State educational agency for sub-grants.

Children aged 3 through 5 with disabilities, and (at the State's option) 2-year- old children with disabilities that will reach age 3 during the school year, that require special education and related services.

States are eligible to receive funds under this program if the State establishes eligibility under Section 612 of Part B of the IDEA and if the State makes a free appropriate public education available to all children ages 3 through 5 years with disabilities residing in the State. Local educational agencies establish eligibility for Preschool Grant funds by meeting local application eligibility requirements in section 613 of Part B of the IDEA.

Once the State application has been approved, a grant award representing the total preschool grant amount for that fiscal year is forwarded to the State's department of education. Notification of the award is made to the 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.