How to Apply for CTE Funding in Texas

Texas high school CTE funding is more available than most districts realize — and most of it flows to your district automatically, without a competitive application. The state CTE allotment pays districts 28–47% more per enrolled CTE student than for non-CTE students. The catch: you only collect that money if your programs are TEA-approved, enrollment is correctly reported, and your federal Perkins application is filed on time.

Quick answer: Texas high school CTE programs can access (1) the state CTE allotment — 1.28x–1.47x per-student funding through the Foundation School Program; (2) Perkins V federal formula grants — applied for annually through TEA's eGrants; and (3) Perkins State Leadership Grants — competitive, awarded by THECB.

Texas CTE Funding: The Three Sources

1. The state CTE Allotment — weighted per-student funding through the Foundation School Program, no separate application required
2. Perkins V federal formula grants — distributed through TEA, requires annual application via eGrants
3. Perkins V State Leadership Grants — competitive, awarded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Source 1: The Texas CTE State Allotment

This is the largest and most reliable funding source — and many districts don't fully capture it.

How it works

Texas weights CTE students more heavily in the Foundation School Program (FSP) formula. Districts receive:

• 1.28x the base per-student funding for students in Level 1–2 courses in an approved CTE program of study
• 1.47x the base per-student funding for students in Level 3–4 courses
• An additional $50 per eligible CTE FTE for advanced CTE courses
• $150 per student for students in TEA-designated P-TECH programs (grades 9–12)

There is no separate grant application. This funding flows through your district's regular FSP payments based on enrollment data you report to TEA through PEIMS.

What you need to do

Step 1: Get your programs TEA-approved. The state allotment only applies to students enrolled in TEA-approved programs of study. Adding a new program — real estate, financial services, drivers ed — requires a program of study submission to TEA before students enroll. Browse approved programs at tea.texas.gov.

Step 2: Report CTE enrollment accurately in PEIMS. CTE FTEs are calculated from Public Education Information Management System data. Make sure courses are correctly coded and enrollment is reported on time. Reporting errors directly reduce your allotment payment. (This is one of the hidden costs of manual tracking that catches districts off guard.)

Step 3: Build toward upper-level courses. The weight gap between Level 1–2 (1.28x) and Level 3–4 (1.47x) is meaningful at scale. Full multi-year programs of study generate more funding per student in years three and four. (See how Texas ISDs are building these pathways.)

Source 2: Perkins V Federal Formula Funding

How it works

The federal Carl D. Perkins Act (Perkins V) provides approximately $1.4 billion annually to states for CTE. Texas receives its share based on population and poverty data. TEA distributes at least 85% to local education agencies — your district. Unlike the state allotment, Perkins V requires a formal annual application. (For a full breakdown of all federal and state CTE funding sources, see our national CTE funding guide.)

How to apply: step-by-step

Step 1: Complete the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA). Required every two years (form SC5600 in TEA's eGrants). It evaluates your CTE programs, student performance disaggregated by demographics, access gaps for special populations, and labor market alignment. The 2024–2025 guidebook is available at tea.texas.gov.

Step 2: Develop your Local Application. Using CLNA findings, outline which programs you're funding or improving, how Perkins dollars address identified gaps, how you'll serve special populations, and your performance targets for federal accountability measures.

Step 3: Submit through TEA's eGrants portal. TEA reviews and approves applications, typically before the start of the school year. Contact your TEA regional representative for the current submission window.

Step 4: Implement and report. Report expenditures and performance outcomes to TEA. TEA conducts periodic monitoring visits to verify compliance.

What Perkins funds can pay for

• Equipment and technology for CTE instruction
• CTE teacher professional development
• Curriculum development and program improvement
• Career guidance and counseling services
• Work-based learning coordination (internships, job shadows, apprenticeships)
• Recruiting and retaining qualified CTE faculty

Cannot be used for: General operating costs, construction, or anything outside the programs in your Local Application.

Source 3: Perkins V State Leadership Grants

Texas sets aside a portion of its Perkins allocation for competitive State Leadership Grants, administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). These are separate from your formula allocation and require a competitive application. Proposals introducing innovative programs, expanding access for underserved students, or aligning with high-demand industries tend to be strongest. Check the current cycle at highered.texas.gov.

The Classification Question: Curriculum vs. After-School

A financial services, real estate, or drivers ed program offered as an approved CTE course of study during the school day generates state allotment weighted funding (1.28–1.47x), Perkins V eligibility, work-based learning integration, and student transcript credit. The same content as an after-school or extracurricular activity generates none of the above. If you're adding any of these programs, the first question is whether it can be structured as an approved program of study. In most cases it can — and the funding difference is significant. Once you've decided, evaluating the right education partner and understanding what your school board will want to see are the next steps.

For comparison, Ohio handles this classification entirely through its CTPD structure — see how Ohio's funding differs from Texas.

Texas CTE Budget Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

How much CTE funding does Texas give per student?

Texas pays 1.28x base per-student funding for Level 1–2 CTE courses and 1.47x for Level 3–4 courses through the Foundation School Program. Districts also receive $50 per eligible CTE FTE for advanced courses. The exact dollar amount depends on your district's base allotment.

Do I need to apply separately for the Texas CTE allotment?

No. The state CTE allotment flows automatically through the Foundation School Program based on PEIMS enrollment data. No separate application is needed — but programs must be TEA-approved and enrollment must be correctly reported.

What is the Perkins V application deadline in Texas?

TEA sets the Local Application submission window each year, typically in spring. Check with your TEA regional contact or the TEA eGrants system for the current year's deadline.

Can Perkins V funds pay for a new CTE program?

Yes — curriculum development, equipment, and teacher credentialing for new programs are allowable. The program must be identified in your Local Application, based on your CLNA findings.

What happens if my CTE program isn't TEA-approved?

Students in unapproved CTE courses do not generate state allotment funding — your district receives only base per-student payment. Perkins V funds cannot be applied to unapproved programs. Program approval is the prerequisite for all Texas CTE funding.

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: Texas Education Agency (tea.texas.gov), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (highered.texas.gov), U.S. Department of Education OCTAE (cte.ed.gov).