Special Education Preschool Grants

CFDA 84.173 Active Grant
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$436.1M FY2026
$420M
FY24
$420M
FY25
$436.1M
FY26*
* estimated

Program Objective

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.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Other

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.

Beneficiaries

  • Other

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.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

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.

Program details & compliance

Description

The Special Education Preschool Grants 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.

Mission Categories

Primary: Elementary and Secondary Education

Other categories:
Special Education

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 provide special education and related services to children with disabilities ages 3 through 5, and at the State's discretion, to 2-year -old children with disabilities who will reach age 3 during the next school year; and in some cases, 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 — Annual
Records Retention
3 years

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

Formula

P.L. 91-230, as amended, Part B, Sec. 619
This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details. MOE requirements for this program apply to both State Educational Agencies and local educational agencies.

Contacts

Diana Yu
(202) 245-6371
Department of Education, OSERS Office of Special Education Programs, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-07-28. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-08-08 03:03:48.