34 CFR § 303.15 - Free appropriate public education.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t34/s303.15"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "34 CFR § 303.15 - Free appropriate public education."
title_number: 34
title_name: "Education"
section_number: "303.15"
section_name: "Free appropriate public education."
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION"
part_number: "303"
part_name: "EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH DISABILITIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "20 U.S.C. 1431 through 1444, unless otherwise noted."
regulatory_source: "76 FR 60244, Sept. 28, 2011, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "303"
---


# 303.15 Free appropriate public education.

*Free appropriate public education* or *FAPE,* as used in §§ 303.211, 303.501, and 303.521, means special education and related services that—

(a) Are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge;

(b) Meet the standards of the State educational agency (SEA), including the requirements of part B of the Act;

(c) Include an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the State involved; and

(d) Are provided in conformity with an individualized education program (IEP) that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 300.320 through 300.324.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(9))