Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 160 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Chapter 160-1
Subject 160-1-4 - GRANT PROGRAMS
Rule 160-1-4-.277 - High Cost Fund for Special Education Services

1. Purpose of Grant. The purpose of this grant is to reimburse Local Education Agencies (LEAs) for funds expended on the education of individual students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) whose high costs exceed three times the state per pupil expenditure since, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., LEAs may not deny a student with an IEP a service or support due to the cost of that service or support.

2. Term and Conditions. Recipients must meet the federal eligibility criteria and state criteria including application requirements and deadlines for expenditure. Recipients must comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and all federal and state rules and regulations implementing IDEA. The LEA must submit actual invoices or other evidence of payment with its application.

3. Eligible Recipients. LEAs that expend three times the state average per pupil expenditure on the education of an individual student with an IEP during the state fiscal year. The LEA must have expended funds on services or supports in accordance with the student's IEP.

4. Criteria for Award. Applications are reviewed by the Georgia Department of Education for adherence to the terms and conditions described above as well as required documentation and evidence of support. The LEA must submit actual invoices or other evidence of payment with its application. Funds will be prioritized first to those LEAs with students that are wards of the state, then to LEAs with students attending the Georgia School for the Deaf, Georgia Academy for the Blind, or Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, then to LEAs with students maintained in the community. No LEA will be reimbursed for residential services unless all the Residential and Reintergration funds are exhausted and these funds are not exhausted by high cost students maintained in the local community.

5. Directions and Deadlines for Applying. Requests for information and applications should be made to Division for Special Education Services, Georgia Department of Education, 1870 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, Georgia 30334.