NYC Special Education Tuition Reimbursement
Helping Families Secure DOE Funding for Private School Placements
When the New York City Department of Education (DOE) fails to provide an appropriate program for your child with disabilities, you may be entitled to full tuition reimbursement or direct funding for a private school placement.
At Susan Luger Associates (SLA), we guide families through this process with decades of experience, proven results, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by students with special needs in New York City.
📞 Call us today to discuss your child’s case.
What Is Tuition Reimbursement in NYC?
Under federal law (IDEA) and New York State regulations, parents may seek funding for private special-education schools when:
The public school fails to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
The parent finds a private program that meets the child’s needs
The parent provides timely notice
The private placement is appropriate, even if it is not state-approved
This is commonly known as the Burlington/Carter process.
With the right documentation and guidance, tuition reimbursement or prospective (direct) funding can cover therapeutic day schools, specialized private schools, or residential placements.
When Can Parents Seek Tuition Reimbursement?
You may be eligible if:
Your child’s IEP is inappropriate or incomplete
The DOE recommended a program that cannot meet your child’s needs
Your child is struggling academically, emotionally, or behaviorally
Services on the IEP were not delivered
The DOE failed to schedule or hold a CSE meeting
Your child was placed in a class that does not match their profile
There is no seat available in the recommended program
Your child is in crisis and requires immediate placement
If the DOE offered a school that is unsafe, unavailable, or unsuitable, the law allows parents to pursue private school options.
How the Tuition Reimbursement Process Works
Our team guides you through each step, start to finish.
The legal standard for tuition reimbursement consists of three key prongs:
1. The DOE Failed to Provide FAPE
We analyze:
The IEP
Progress reports and evaluations
Classroom observations
Missing or undelivered services
Placement recommendations
Program availability
This establishes whether the DOE denied appropriate services.
2. The Private School Is Appropriate
A private school does not need to be state-approved.
It simply must meet your child’s:
Learning needs
Social-emotional needs
Behavioral needs
Specialized instructional needs
Therapeutic needs (if applicable)
We help demonstrate how the school provides meaningful progress and specialized support.
3. You Cooperated With the DOE
This includes:
Sending a timely Ten-Day Notice
Attending CSE meetings
Sharing evaluations
Remaining collaborative
SLA prepares all documentation for compliance and success.
Types of Placements Covered Through Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement may apply to:
✔ Specialized private special-education schools
✔ Therapeutic day programs
✔ Schools with small classes and intensive supports
✔ Schools serving learning disabilities, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, trauma, dyslexia
✔ Bilingual special-education schools
✔ In certain cases, therapeutic residential schools
Funding is available both retroactively and prospectively, depending on the case.
Why Families Choose Susan Luger Associates
For more than 30 years, SLA has been a leader in special-education advocacy in New York City.
Our strengths include:
Hundreds of millions secured in private-school funding
Thousands of successful reimbursement cases
In-depth knowledge of NYC DOE systems, personnel, and procedures
Strategic guidance on private placements and clinical documentation
Comprehensive representation through hearings, appeals, and negotiations
A compassionate, family-centered approach
Clear communication and support at every step
We understand that choosing a private school is a major decision.
We help families feel confident, supported, and informed.