“Free” public education isn’t really free. Families still pay for non-textbook supplies, school clothes/uniforms, in-school meals, and many extracurricular activities.
And that’s just for able-bodied, neurotypical students. If your child has disabilities, there are expenses such as wheelchair maintenance, medications, assistive apps. … Often, limited family income means forgoing some activities and/or applying for financial aid.
When it comes to financial aid, it pays to research lesser-known options: almost everyone qualifies for more than they’re aware of. If you’re a Texas resident with children receiving special education in public school, read on to learn about the Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) grant.
What Is PDSES?
Offered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), PDSES takes applications in February–March. For 2025, the application period (“window”) is February 3 to March 31. This is a one-time grant, meaning no student can receive it more than once. Note that before 2025, it was called SSES (Supplemental Special Education Services); so if you have a child who received an SSES grant in the past, they will not be eligible for PDSES.
Otherwise, any student is eligible if enrolled in a Texas public school and receiving special-education services. (And if you have more than one child who qualifies, you may submit an application for each.) For each child approved, your family receives $1,500 to buy textbooks, assistive technology, tutoring services, and other education-related items for the next school year.
Useful to Know
- According to TEA, the change from “Supplemental” to “Parent-Directed” was made “to better reflect the importance of parents as decision makers in the educational process.” There is no difference in application requirements, benefits, or anything else but the name.
- Applications are processed in the order they are received. Applying early (before a backlog piles up) improves chances of a prompt response.
- You can check your application’s progress on the TEA website.
- If your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal. The deadline for filing an appeal is the last Friday in October (October 31 in 2025).
- Being turned down for a PDSES grant will not affect your family’s future eligibility.
For More Information
Most of the following resources are on, or linked to, the TEA website.
- The ClassWallet platform helps families manage their PDSES accounts.
- TEA’s “Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES)” page has basic up-to-date information, including a signup link for the PDSES email list. (Among other things, PDSES emails offer next-year reminders for those who can’t apply, or aren’t accepted, this year. Emails can be requested in English or Spanish.)
- The Parent Portal FAQs answer over 30 questions in detail. Topics include: Application; Application Status Table; Uploading and Attaching Documentation; and Appealing a Denial.
- The SPEDTex website, or Special Education Information Center, has resources on legal rights, transition planning, communicating with schools, and many other topics. “Parents can create an account [to] receive customized reminders, participate in focus groups, locate resources, and access training.”
- “Parent Directed Special Education Services PDSES – $1,500 Grant for Parents,” a 39-minute video from Region 10 ESC, provides a comprehensive overview.
