Application & Eligibility

Texas Student UID (Unique ID) — How to Find It for Your TEFA Application

Texas Student UID (Unique ID) — How to Find It for Your TEFA Application

If you're applying for TEFA and your child has an IEP, you may need their Texas Student Unique Identifier (UID). Here's where to find it—and what to do if you can't.

Where to Get the UID

Your school district (ISD) is the source of truth. The district where your child's IEP was created should have the UID on record, even if your child now attends private school. Contact the special education department.

TEA Student Lookup: If your child has ever attended a Texas public school, you can look up the UID at the TEA Student Lookup portal. Click "Student Look Up" and enter your child's first name, social security number, and date of birth. If they've been registered in a public school, the site will return the UID.

Private school students only: The TEA portal does not contain UID lookups for private school students with ISD IEPs. Contact the special education department of the ISD that completed your child's IEP.

Never attended public school? Your local public school district can enter your child's IEP information into TEA's APEX system and provide you with a UID. Reach out to the district's special education office.

What If I Can't Get a UID?

You can enter "11111" followed by your zip code in the application to continue. This lets you complete and submit the form.

Important: The only way to qualify for the $30,000 funding tier (for children with disabilities) is to have a validated IEP on file with TEA—which requires a valid Texas Student Unique Identifier. Using the fallback allows you to apply for prioritization, but you will need a valid UID for the increased funding amount.

Who Needs a UID?

Families applying for the special needs ($30,000) tier need a UID because the IEP must be on file with TEA. If you're applying for the standard amount only, the application may not require it. Check the Odyssey portal for your specific situation.

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