2025-2026 HCF Application
The 2025-2026 HCF application opened on March 2, 2026 and closed on May 4, 2026. The Qualifying Cost Amount (QCA) for the 2025-2026 HCF was $40,926. Finalized awards will post in APEX in July 2026.
High Cost Funds
Announcements and Updates (1)
High Cost Funds (HCF) help offset the financial impact on Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that provide educational services to high need children with disabilities. High need children with disabilities receive educational services which exceed three times the state鈥檚 average per pupil expenditure (APPE). Only those costs associated with providing direct special education and related services to the child, and identified in the child鈥檚 Individualized Education Program (IEP), are considered when determining whether a child qualifies as a high need child.
To request HCF, an LEA must submit a High Cost Fund application through the APEX application during the HCF application window for that year.
Additional information concerning High Cost Funds can be found in the Texas High Cost Fund (HCF) State Plan.
Resources
- High Cost Fund Information and Application
- Instructions for Viewing HCF Payments
- Texas High Cost Fund State Plan
- APEX User Manual
- APEX Quick Start Guide
- Apex How-To Guide
- How to Locate Transportation Cost Per Mile Data
- TEA Special Education in Nonpublic Programs
- TEA 黑料社 Information
Contact Information
High Cost Funds Team | (512) 463-9414 | hcf@tea.texas.gov
TEA Secure Environment Applications Support |