Funding for Special Education


The Ministry of Education is responsible for funding Ontario's elementary and secondary schools operated by public and Catholic English and French boards. The ministry allocates funding to each school board using a formula that is based on student enrolment and the unique needs of students in each board.

Education funding starts with the Foundation Grant, which gives every school board a basic level of funding for each student. Additional funding is provided through special purpose grants, including a Special Education Grant, based on specific costs or needs that affect some boards and some students more than others. The operation and maintenance of school buildings and the construction of new schools or additions are funded through the Pupil Accommodation Grant.

The Special Education Grant (SEG) provides additional funding for students who need special programs, services and equipment.  SEG funding is enveloped which means this funding can only be used for those students who require special education programs, services or equipment. The SEG includes five components - the Special Education Per-Pupil Amount, the High Needs Amount, the Special Equipment Amount, the Special Incidence Portion, and the Facilities Amount.

Special Education Per-Pupil Amount (SEPPA) is allocated to boards on the basis of total enrolment. SEPPA recognizes the cost of providing additional assistance to the majority of students with special education needs.

The SEPPA amounts for 2009-10 are:

  • $755.47 per student in JK to Grade 3
  • $581.57 per student in Grade 4 to 8
  • $383.80 per student in Grade 9 to 12

The High Needs Amount addresses the cost of providing the intensive staff support required by the small number of pupils with very high needs.

The Special Equipment Amount covers the  cost of an individual student's equipment needs in excess of $800 in the year of purchase.  Eligibility criteria are outlined in the Special Education Funding Guidelines: Special Equipment Amount (SEA), 2009-10 (PDF, 376 KB).

The Special Incidence Portion (SIP) supports pupils with exceptionally high needs who require more than two full-time staff to address health and safety needs. Eligibility criteria for SIP are outlined in the document entitled Special Education Funding Guidelines: Special Incidence Portion (SIP), 2009-10 (PDF, 403 KB).

The Facilities Amount provides funding for educational programs serving pupils who are receiving their education through facilities such as hospitals, children's mental health centres, psychiatric institutions, detention and correctional facilities, community living/group homes, and other social services agencies. The provision of education in these facilities is subject to an agreement between a district school board and a facility.

In addition to the Foundation Grant and the Special Education Grant, other special purpose grants may assist the school board to meet needs of some exceptional pupils. Please visit the Education Funding page for more detailed information.