Phone-Free Schools Grant

Phone-Free Schools Grant

August 14, 2025 | Grants Management

Controversial as the cell phone ban decision was, your school year may be starting with less cell phone hassles from students. As you know, the legislature passed a law (HB 1481) banning cell phones and other personal devices, such as smart watches and ear buds, in the classroom. Hopefully, you have your school system policy in place (must be Board approved by 9/18) and ready to go for the new year! Today’s article is about competitive grant funding that is available to help pay for expenses to implement this policy. The most common examples are magnetic pouches or other bins/holders to hold the phones. These items are not required, as some schools are writing the policy to still allow students to keep phones in their backpacks. Again, it depends on your policy. In addition, consider storage or where devices will be kept after they have been confiscated for violation of this policy.

CSS scans available new funding sources on a regular basis and researches the details of eligibility, use of funds, and deadlines. We notify our partner schools when a potential new grant might be a good fit for them and assist them with the application of course!

What are the key elements of the Phone-Free Schools grant?

  1. The grant amount will be based on student counts from last year and can vary by grade level.
    • Rates of funding per pupil (based upon October 2024 PEIMS snapshot data):
      • $12.50 per student for 65% of the total number enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in the school system
      • $10 per student for 25% of the total number enrolled in grades 6-8 in the school system
      • $7.50 per student for 10% of the total number enrolled in grades K-5 in the school system
  2. Pre-award dating back to June 20, 2025, will be allowed if you have already made any purchases for this purpose (the expenses could be reclassified).
  3. There will be no payroll in the grant.  Only 6200 (contracted services) and 6300 (supplies and materials) will be allowed.
  4. https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2QwsDWzIFptJ3g  This is the link to the Qualtrics Part 1 of the grant application that is due by midnight 9/8/25.  There will be a Part 2 in eGrants in October if selected.
  5. Below is the data you will need to have ready BEFORE doing the Qualtrics application. There is no budget data needed for the Sept 8 part.

Required Data Elements

  • Please enter your school system’s Total Student Enrollment for K-5 (as reported in October 2024 PEIMS submission)
  • Please enter your school system’s Total Student Enrollment for 6-8 (as reported in October 2024 PEIMS submission)
  • Please enter your school system’s Total Student Enrollment for 9-12 (as reported in October 2024 PEIMS submission)
  • Total Student Enrollment (as reported in October 2024 PEIMS submission)
  • Socieoeconomically Disadvantaged Student Percentage (based upon SC5000 data in the Title 1, Part A application for funding)
  • Is your school system operating a 5-day or a 4-day school week for the 2025-2026 school year

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by the Texas Education Agency by 11:59 p.m. (Central Time), September 08, 2025, to be considered for funding.

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