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Terms and phrases associated with educational funding.
A one-page description of your project including the purpose, the number of participants, the amount requested, and how the project is unique.
A system of indicators which includes measures of school quality and student success.
Grant funds used to administer or oversee the project.
Expenditures under a grant that are specifically permitted (or not specifically prohibited).
A sum of money from public funds set aside for a specific purpose.
A listing of requirements, found in different state and federal laws, regulations, and executive orders, that applicants agree in writing to observe as a condition of receiving funding.
The financial plan for carrying out the proposed project or program. The budget should show all costs related to the project, including those funded by sources other than the grant.
A written description of the purpose and source of each expense, including (where applicable) the unit cost, number of units, and related computations.
An interval of time into which a project period is divided for budgetary purposes.
A publication and database that lists federal funding programs, authorizing agency, fiscal details, regulations, guidelines, eligibility requirements, information contacts, and application and award process. CFDA numbers are used in all references to the grant application.
A statement, signed by an applicant or grantee as a prerequisite for receiving funds, that it meets or will adhere to certain conditions.
A group representing organizations which share common beliefs, goals, and commitment to a particular grant project.
An award made directly to an eligible grantee on the basis of a competitive review process.
Additional funding awarded for a budget period following the initial grant period.
Services provided to the grant recipient by an outside consultant or provider.
The date by which the funder must receive a grant application for it to be considered for funding.
Items in a grant budget specifically related to the implementation of the project. Examples include personnel costs for employees’ time devoted to the performance of grant activities; project equipment, materials and supplies; professional development; and travel expenses incurred to carry out grant-related activities.
The Department of Education’s electronic application system through which applicants apply for selected grant programs.
The Education Department General Administration Regulations governing the Education Department’s grant programs.
An entity who may apply for a grant as specified in the grant guidelines.
Grant funds set aside for project implementation. Recipients must not encumber any expense prior to the start date or after the end date of the funded project.
Funds received on the basis of population characteristics, student achievement levels, etc.
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, first signed in 1965 to expand the federal role in K–12 education.
Every Student Succeeds Act, signed December 15, 2015, as the re-authorization of ESEA.
Assessment of whether a project achieved the intended outcomes. The evaluation component includes:
Two types of evaluation data are typically required:
A statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes. There are 4 levels of evidence:
The federal government’s daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and grant announcements.
Funds distributed to eligible applicants for which the amount is established by a formula based on certain criteria written into the legislation and program regulations. Formula funds may be directly allocated or awarded through a competitive grant competition.
Many federal programs use a school’s percentage of students eligible to receive free or reduced lunch to determine its eligibility for additional funding. State and federal grants often set the bar at 40% or higher.
Specific elements that applicants are asked to address or certain conditions that must exist for applicants to be eligible for a certain grant. There are two kinds of priorities for which additional scoring points may be received:
In addition, an invitational priority encourages but does not require applicants to respond and does not offer competitive or absolute preference over other applicants
A period in which an accounting cycle begins and ends. Federal fiscal years are typically October 1 through September 30. School fiscal years are typically July 1 through June 30.
Goals are broad and long-term targets (e.g., increasing high school graduation rates); objectives are more short-term (e.g., increasing reading scores by a specific percent within a specified timeframe).
An award from a funding source which provides financial or other resources in order to implement solutions to pressing needs.
The period of time for which funds have been awarded. Foundations typically award grants for one year. State and federal grants may be awarded for multiple years.
An organization that has been awarded a grant.
An organization that makes a grant.
A contribution of equipment, supplies, services, personnel, or other tangible resource, as distinguished from a monetary grant. In-kind contributions may be considered as sources of match for some grants.
The percentage a grantee uses in computing the dollar amount it charges to the grant to reimburse itself for indirect costs of a grant project.
Costs incurred for an organization’s operating expenses (e.g., utility bills, janitorial services, etc.) which cannot be readily and specifically identified with a particular grant project.
Some federal and state grants require or request a letter or form to be submitted indicating intent to apply for the grant.
A public board of education or other public authority which maintains administrative control of public elementary or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State.
Literacy for All, Results for the Nation is a grant program within ESSA to improve student academic achievement in reading and writing.
Some foundations request a letter outlining the proposed grant request as a first step prior to the submission of a proposal.
The portion of project costs in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution or any combination thereof that is contributed by the grantee or other donor.
No Child Left Behind, the 2002 re-authorization of ESEA.
Documentation of why the grant is needed.
An official document signed by a program official who is authorized to obligate the agency in financial matters. The NOGA states the amount and the terms and conditions of an award.
Along with academic indicators, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) includes an additional category which allows individual states the flexibility beyond academic mastery. Examples of non-academic indicators include absentee rates, school climate and safety, and student engagement.
A characteristic or metric that can be used to assess the performance aspects of a program or project (e.g., dollars expended, students enrolled, grade point average).
A report of the specific activities the grant recipient has performed during the project period.
Ongoing learning opportunities for teachers and other education personnel through their schools and districts. ESSA defines professional development as activities that are “sustained (not stand-alone, 1-day, or short-term workshops), intensive, collaborative, job-embedded, data-driven, and classroom focused.”
The total amount of time for which a grantor promises to fund a grant and authorizes a grantee to conduct the project. Multi-year award funds are generally obligated for the first 12 months and planned for subsequent budget periods if certain conditions are met.
A written application submitted to a grantor requesting to be considered for a grant award.
Guidelines for the contents of the proposal which may include specific scoring criteria, formatting, number of pages, page size, fonts, use of tables, charts, or graphics, and other limitations.
A description of the proposed project which appears at the beginning of the proposal in the form of a cover letter or a separate page.
The likelihood that the proposed project can be replicated in other schools or districts or on a broader regional or national scope.
These terms may be used interchangeably to list project specifications and application procedures for specific grants.
The state board of education or other agency or office primarily responsible for the supervision of public elementary and secondary schools.
Some federal grants require that the applicant notify a particular state official or agency of its intent to apply for the grant, including basic information about the proposed project. The grant application announcement may include the list of SPOCs.
Instructions for submission of proposals such as number of copies to be submitted, binding, mailing or delivery instructions, package labeling, and due date and time.
A plan for continuation beyond the grant period and/or other resources needed to implement the grant.
Individuals, students, schools, or other recipients who will be the focus and beneficiaries of services provided through a grant project.
Title I is federal formula funding designed to ensure that all children have a fair and equal opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. The funds are intended to help low-income students who are failing or at risk of failing to meet their state’s academic achievement standards.
Formula funding for professional development to improve teacher and principal quality and ensure that all teachers are highly qualified.
Formula funding to ensure that English Learners master English by enabling students with limited English proficiency to meet the same academic achievement standards as all children.
Formula funding for student support and enrichment that increases schools’ capacity to more fully utilize educational technology to advance students’ academic achievement and digital literacy.
Title V authorizes the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP). Its purpose is to help rural LEAs use federal formula grant funds more effectively to address their unique needs. There are two programs authorized under REAP: the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program and the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program.
United States Department of Education.