The cost recovery behind transporting students with disabilities

Your district transports students with disabilities under Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

School-based Medicaid, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), state categorical aid and grants can help cover these rides, but only if you know which funds apply and keep the records needed to claim them.

How much is your district leaving unclaimed? Discover the insights from the latest Zonar and STN industry report that covers survey results from transportation professionals.

What you’ll take away:

• Where the survey shows the widest gap between available funding and what districts recover
• How school-based Medicaid reimbursement works for specialized transportation, from student eligibility through the submitted claim
• What's the typical reimbursement amount, and if it does vary by state or county
• Why most claims break down at documentation, and what a complete ridership record includes
• How Leon County Schools in Florida handles Medicaid claiming today, including manually matching every ride to its route and student
• Practical next steps for your transportation and special education teams through the end of the 2026-27 school year