District Technology Device Fee

The annual device fee helps offset the ongoing costs of providing students with district-issued devices. This includes maintenance, repairs, security updates, and the replacement of aging devices. The fee helps ensure students continue to have access to reliable technology for learning.

The annual device fee is $40 per student for students in grades 3–12 who are issued a district device. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will have a reduced rate of $25.

Yes. The annual device fee is required for all students in grades 3–12 who are issued a district device.

The fee helps support:

• Device maintenance and repairs
• Security updates
• Replacement of aging devices
• Device management systems

The fee also allows each student to receive one repair or replacement for accidental damage at no cost per school year.

No. The device fee helps support the overall district device program. It is not an insurance policy and does not eliminate responsibility for intentional damage, loss or negligence.

Students who have paid the device fee will receive one free repair or replacement due to accidental damage per school year. Any additional instances of damage or any instances of intentional damage will be assessed through a separate damage charge.

The district is committed to ensuring every student has access to technology. Families who may need assistance can apply for a scholarship to cover the cost of the device fee or take advantage of our payment plan which allows for 3 smaller payments over a three-month period.

Yes. The device fee is an annual fee that supports the ongoing costs of providing and maintaining district-issued technology.

The fee must either:

• Be paid in full by October 15, 2026
• Be paid via the following payment plan:
  • 1st payment due September 15, 2026 ($14 for full price; $9 for free and reduced)
  • 2nd payment due October 15, 2026 ($13 for full price; $8 for free and reduced)
  • 3rd payment due November 15, 2026 ($13 for full price; $8 for free and reduced)

Families can pay through RevTrak. No cash payments will be accepted at this time.

Yes. Paying the device fee will clear any previous outstanding device fines prior to the 2026-27 school year. Future incidents will be handled according to district procedures.

Students who have not paid the device fee by Monday, Nov. 30, will have their district-issued device placed in a restricted mode. In this mode, students will continue to have access to essential learning applications and required assessment tools needed for instruction, but access to other applications and services will be limited until the fee is paid. 

Students in grades 3-12 are issued devices that they take home and use both at school and outside the classroom.

Providing and maintaining thousands of student devices is a significant ongoing expense. The fee helps share a small portion of those costs while allowing the district to continue providing every eligible student with a device for school and home use.

No. Under Texas law and district policy, students are expected to use district-issued devices for instruction during the school day. District-issued devices ensure students have secure access to instructional applications, assessments, filtering, technical support, and required software, while also complying with state requirements regarding student technology use. 

Students whose devices are placed in restricted mode due to unpaid fees will have access only to district-purchased software and digital resources.

No. The Technology Device Fee was established in accordance with applicable district policy and Texas law governing student fees and district-owned equipment. Texas Education Code §11.158 allows school districts to charge certain student fees and requires districts to have procedures for families experiencing financial hardship. CFBISD provides a reduced fee for qualifying students as well as additional options for families experiencing financial hardship.

Students with unpaid fees are not denied access to a district device or the instructional resources necessary to participate in school. Instead, the device may be placed in restricted mode, which limits access to district-purchased software and digital resources until the fee obligation is resolved.

For questions, please email us at devices@cfbisd.edu or reach out to your campus.