|
You are receiving this information because you are subscribed to Public School Funding Updates for the Texas Education Agency.
Please do not reply to this message. This is a broadcast email sent to all Foundation School Program (FSP) State Funding bulletin members.
This message is to inform you about the New Instructional Facility Allotment (NIFA) application for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. NIFA provides operational funding to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools that will occupy a new instructional facility, which includes newly constructed buildings, repurposed facilities, or leased spaces with a minimum 10-year lease term.
This year, the NIFA module has a new look. The enhanced module captures all eligible facility types, including newly constructed and repurposed facilities, leased facilities, new Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers, Performing Arts Facilities (PAF), and renovations of existing classrooms for high-cost and undersubscribed CTE programs.
Section 48.152, Texas Education Code, as amended by House Bill 2, 89th Texas Legislature, 2025, Regular Session, expanded the definition for a new instructional facility to include funding for renovations of portions of buildings used for first time to provide high-cost and undersubscribed CTE programs, effective beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. The total amount appropriated for the program, limited by statute, increased from $100 million to $150 million per school year. The amount provided per student will depend upon the total amount of NIFA applications approved and any proration, if necessary. Eligible campuses may receive up to $1,000 per student in average daily attendance at a newly opened instructional facility during the first school year of operation. In the second year, the district may receive an additional $1,000 for each additional student in ADA at the same facility.
With the addition of CTE renovations for NIFA funding, the agency anticipates an increase in the number of NIFA applications received. TEA will review NIFA applications that include CTE renovations based upon the type of CTE programs created and may disqualify applications in programs that are not undersubscribed or high cost. This determination will be made after TEA receives all NIFA applications in a given year and is dependent upon available funds within the program appropriation limit.
Key Dates:
-
NIFA Application Opens: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
-
NIFA Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
-
Where to Apply: NIFA module within the FSP application in Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL)
Application Requirements:
The program operates on an annual application cycle, in which applicants must provide detailed information about the facility, which includes the following materials:
- an actual photograph of the newly constructed, repurposed, or leased instructional facility;
- a copy of a legal document that clearly describes the nature and dates of the new or repurposed construction that demonstrates substantial completion or a copy of the applicable lease;
- a site plan;
- a floor plan; and
- if applicable, a demolition plan
- a CTE survey, specifically for CTE Renovation applications. The survey can be found on the NIFA website.
In the fall of the following school year after an applicant received NIFA funds, the school district or open-enrollment charter school must complete an online survey on the number of instructional days held in the new facility and submit the completed survey through the NIFA module. This information will be used to determine the final (settle-up) amount earned by each eligible school district and open-enrollment charter school. The final amount earned is determined using the submitted survey information and final counts of ADA for the school year for which NIFA funds were received, as reported through the Texas Student Data System Public Education Information Management System.
Attendance Documentation Requirement:
All campuses, Career and Technology Centers, and charter school sites must be able to provide attendance documentation for students attending the new instructional facility. While attendance may typically be recorded at students’ home campuses, the NIFA Program requires attendance to be tracked specifically for the new facility using a student information tracking system that meets requirements outlined in the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook. Please ensure your attendance tracking system is configured accordingly, as this documentation will be a critical component of the funding review process.
FSP System in TEAL:
The NIFA User role is the necessary role to complete the NIFA Application. The FSP System requires that a designated District Approver, usually the superintendent, submits the NIFA Application data to TEA. For more information on the FSP System, including information on applying for specific roles in the system, please see the TEA FSP System web page or contact Jared Dabdoub at (512) 463-8117.
Additional Resources and Contact:
For questions or further information, please visit the NIFA webpage or contact Whitley Moore at (512) 463-9359 or email nifa@tea.texas.gov. Please note that additional updates to the NIFA webpage will be forthcoming.
|
