TEA: Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program
Eligibility
Texas school districts that meet rural eligibility criteria under ESEA and have a sufficient percentage of students from low-income families qualify. Eligibility is determined by district size and locale codes. Check the TEA portal to confirm your district qualifies before applying.
- Eligible: Rural Texas districts meeting ESEA size and locale requirements
- District must have qualifying percentage of low-income students
- Annual application through TEA
- Locale codes determine rural eligibility - check TEA's eligibility list
Program Goals
The Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) Program provides flexible funding to rural schools serving low-income students. The program recognizes that rural districts face unique challenges in accessing resources, and that small per-pupil amounts from larger federal programs can be too small to be useful on their own.
RLIS funds can be used for a wide range of purposes, including teacher professional development, educational technology, and STEM programs. This flexibility makes it particularly valuable for rural districts with multiple unmet needs.
Application and Distribution
RLIS applications are submitted annually through TEA's grant portal. Check tea.texas.gov for the current application window. Districts must confirm rural eligibility status before applying. Work with your district's federal programs coordinator to complete the application.
Grant Award Amount
RLIS funding varies by district size and enrollment. Eligible uses include teacher professional development, educational technology, STEM programs, and instructional materials. The flexibility of this fund is one of its key advantages for rural districts.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- micro:bit Classroom Kits — Classroom sets of programmable microcontrollers for hands-on coding and physical computing. Qualifies as K-12 CS hardware; supports standards-aligned programming instruction across grade levels.
- MicroChat — AI-powered classroom learning tool that introduces students to artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts. Qualifies for AI literacy, educational technology, and computer science grant programs.
- Coding for Climate Kit — Hands-on curriculum kit teaching climate science, environmental data collection, and coding-based problem-solving. Aligns with STEM and environmental literacy grants; cross-curricular science and CS integration.
Keep in Mind
Not all small Texas districts qualify. Check TEA's eligibility list before investing time in the application. Eligibility is based on locale codes from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Because RLIS can be used for many purposes, prioritize it for your highest-need area. If technology is your biggest gap, use RLIS to fill it. If teacher training is the priority, use it for PD.
RLIS often stacks well with other rural-focused programs like the Small Rural School Achievement program and TEA rural-targeted grants. Ask your federal programs coordinator about combining sources.
In your application, explain why rural context creates specific challenges your program addresses. Generic applications score lower than those that clearly connect to the rural experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for TEA: Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program in Texas?
Texas school districts that meet rural eligibility criteria under ESEA and have a sufficient percentage of students from low-income families qualify. Eligibility is determined by district size and locale codes. Check the TEA portal to confirm your district qualifies before applying. Eligible: Rural Texas districts meeting ESEA size and locale requirements District must have qualifying percentage of low-income students Annual application through TEA Locale codes determine rural eligibility - chec
How much funding is available through TEA: Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program?
Funding varies by cycle and applicant. Check the current program guidelines for up-to-date award amounts.
Can TEA: Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program funds be used for STEM and coding tools?
Yes. TEA: Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program funds can support hands-on STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum when they align to the program's stated goals. Document alignment to program objectives before purchasing.
How do schools apply for TEA: Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program?
RLIS applications are submitted annually through TEA's grant portal. Check tea.texas.gov for the current application window. Districts must confirm rural eligibility status before applying. Work with your district's federal programs coordinator to complete the application.
How can Forward Education help with TEA: Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program funding?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for Texas schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes TEA: Title V, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program funds. Contact us before submitting your application.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — TEKS, Common Core, and state standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
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