Funding for High-Cost Students
By Julie Jilek
Assistant Superintendent, CSBO
Northwest Suburban Spec. Ed. Org.
By Reiley Straub
Dir./Business Operations
North DuPage Special Ed. Co-Op (NDSEC)
In order for school districts to maximize reimbursement for high-cost students with disabilities, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the eligibility, claim and reimbursement processes for students with disabilities.
Funding for students who are considered “high cost” is currently funded through Section 105 ILCS 5/14-7.02b of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Funding for Students with Excess Cost. This statute “Provides tuition reimbursement for students placed in Illinois public school programs whose educational costs exceed four district per capita tuition charges. The difference between the actual student cost and the four district per capita tuition charges will be reimbursed from unexpended federal room and board funds.” Students with Disabilities Data Collection and Approval Instructions 2019-20 School Year. Retrieved February 1, 2020, from https://www.isbe.net/Documents/34-30_sped_facts.pdf
In August of 2004, Public Act 93-1022 changed the distribution method for funding high-cost students who were previously claimed under Extraordinary Reimbursement Section 14-7.02a. Beginning with the 2004-05 school year, this new law provided funding for high-cost students through unused IDEA Room and Board dollars for students whose program costs exceed four times the district’s per capita tuition rate.
Highlighted in this article are important steps districts should take to maximize funding for high-cost students.