Free tool · Special education

IEP or 504 plan?

Four questions, then a side-by-side comparison of an IEP and a 504 plan: who qualifies, what each provides, how often it is reviewed, and what continues in college.

Answer four questions Does your student have, or might have, a disability or diagnosis? Does the student need specially designed teaching, such as direct reading, writing, math, social or behavior instruction? Would accommodations alone (extra time, seating, breaks, notes, testing changes) likely be enough? Does the student need related services such as speech, occupational therapy or counseling?

Side by side

	IEP	504 plan
Law	Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)	Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Who qualifies	A student in one of the IDEA disability categories who needs special education because of it	A student with a disability that substantially limits a major life activity, such as learning, reading or concentrating
What it provides	Specially designed instruction, related services, accommodations and measurable annual goals	Accommodations and services so the student has equal access
Written plan	Required, with specific parts set by law	Usually written; content varies by district
Review	At least once a year; reevaluation at least every three years	Reviewed periodically; schedules vary
Parent rights	Detailed procedural safeguards, including consent and dispute options	Notice and the right to a hearing; fewer formal procedures
In college	Ends at high school graduation	Section 504 and the ADA continue in college, through the disability services office

General information about federal law, not legal advice. Caveat advisors are not attorneys. States add their own rules and timelines; your school must give you your state's parent rights notice (procedural safeguards).

Want help with this part? Your Caveat advisor reviews your student's records and helps you ask for the plan that fits.

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This tool is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Each college decides admission, aid and how credit counts, and requirements change; check each college's own pages. Examples are examples, not promises. Caveat Academic Services is an independent college preparation company. Students do all of their own work.