Department of Education

Department of Education

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions

Overview

This program helps eligible institutions of higher education increase their self-sufficiency and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific.

For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to broadband access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as supplement not supplant, if it applies to program.

We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction)
Broadband Adoption
Digital Skills Training

Eligibility

Higher education

Amount Available

FY2020 Funding Amount $18,320,000

Contact Website

Contact Website https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesannh/index.html

Contact Information

(202) 453-6914

American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities

Overview

This program helps eligible institutions of higher education increase their self-sufficiency by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific. For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to broadband access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as supplement not supplant, if it applies to program. We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction)
Broadband Adoption
Digital Skills Training

Eligibility

Higher education

Amount Available

FY2020 Funding Amount
$36,633,000

Contact Website

 https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesannh/index.html

Contact Information

(202) 453-6914

Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions

Overview

This program for institution of higher learning provides grants and related assistance to Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders and low-income individuals.

Creating or improving facilities for Internet or other distance learning academic instruction capabilities, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific. For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to broadband access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as supplement not supplant, if it applies to program. We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

Purpose

Purpose
Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction)
Broadband Adoption
Digital Skills Training
Mobile hotspots and mobile hotspot data plans

Eligibility

Higher Education

Amount Available

Amount Available
$4,444,000

Contact Website

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/aanapi/index.html

Contact Information

Pearson Owens
Telephone: (202) 453-7997
E-mail: pearson.owens@ed.gov

Impact Aid Programs

Overview

Overview The mission of this program is to disburse Impact Aid payments to local educational agencies that are financially burdened by federal activities. Funds are provided under Section 7002 and 7003(b) of the ESEA to local public school districts that serve significant numbers of federally connected children and that have lost a substantial portion of local property tax base due to the acquisition of federal property. Funds are available for all general fund purposes and can be expended for any purpose, similar to local revenue for education.

Impact Aid funds received by school districts under sections 7002 and 7003(b) may be used to support connectivity if a district chooses. Impact aid districts may use the general aid money that they receive however they choose, as long as it’s an allowable use under state or local rules. Districts typically use these general Impact Aid funds for current expenditures for their day-to-day operations. Funds under these two sections are not subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provide funds that could be used to support broadband access relating to education. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific. For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to broadband access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as supplement not supplant, if it applies to program. We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

Purpose

Planning (e.g., feasibility)
Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction) ☒ Broadband Adoption
Digital Skills Training
Mobile hotspots and mobile hotspot data plans

Eligibility

K-12 Schools
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities

Amount Available

FY2020 Funding Amount $1,486,112,000

Contact website

https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/impact-aid-program/

Contact Information

Phone: (202) 260-3858

Director: Marilyn Hall, Marilyn.Hall@ed.gov E-Mail address: ImpactAid@ed.gov

Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions

Overview

This program provides grants and related assistance to Native American-serving, nontribal institutions to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Americans and low-income individuals.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific. For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to broadband access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as supplement not supplant, if it applies to program.

We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction) ☒ Broadband Adoption

Digital Skills Training

Mobile Hotspots and Mobile Hotspot Data Plans

Rural Recipients

Eligibility

Higher Education Institutions

Amount Available

Discretionary

Contact Website

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nasnti/index.html

Contact Information:

Don Crews
Telephone: (202) 453-7920
E-mail: don.crews@ed.gov

Promise Neighborhoods

Overview

The Promise Neighborhoods program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The program provides funding to support eligible entities, including (1) institutions of higher education; (2) an Indian tribe or tribal organization; (3) one or more nonprofit organizations, which may include faith-based nonprofit organizations, in partnership with high-need LEAs, institutions of higher education, the office of a chief elected official of a unit of local government, or an Indian tribe or tribal organization.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific. For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to device or mobile hotspot access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as supplement not supplant, if it applies to program. We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction) ☒ Broadband Adoption
Digital Skills Training
Mobile hotspots and mobile hotspot data plans
Rural Recipients

Eligibility

Libraries
K-12 Schools
Higher Education Institutions
Tribal Entities

Amount Available

Amount Available FY2020 Funding Amount – $80,000,000

Contact Website

https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/school-choice- improvement-programs/promise-neighborhoods-pn/  

Contact Information:

Elson Nash

(202) 453-5563

Rural, Low-Income School Program

Overview

Overview The purpose of the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) grant program is to provide rural districts with financial assistance for initiatives aimed at improving student achievement. The grant is non-competitive, and eligibility is determined by statute. Awards are issued annually to state education agencies (SEAs), which make sub-grants to local education agencies (LEAs) that meet the applicable requirements. Awards are made to all SEAs that apply and meet the applicable requirements of the act (see legislative citation above).

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. School districts may use Rural and Low-Income School funds to pay for activities that are allowable under Title I, Part A, Title II, Part A, Title III, and Title IV, Part A, as well as parental involvement activities. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific.

The use of Rural and Low-Income School Program funds for broadband infrastructure must be consistent with the definition of “minor remodeling” in 34 CFR Part 77. That definition of minor remodeling means “minor alterations in a previously completed building. The term also includes the extension of utility lines, such as water and electricity, from points beyond the confines of the space in which the minor remodeling is undertaken but within the confines of the previously.

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction)
Digital Skills Training
Hotspot data plans
Mobile hotspots and mobile
Minor remodeling, consistent with 34 CFR Part 77, to improve the academic achievement of students served by the program

Eligibility

Rural Recipients

Amount Available

FY2020 Funding Amount $92,920,000

Contact Website

https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement- programs/rural-education-achievement-program/rural-and-low-income-school-program/

Contact Information:

Patrick Carr – Group Leader, Rural Education Achievement Program Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
The REAP Group: Phone:
(202) 401-0039

Small, Rural School Achievement Program

Overview

The purpose of the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program is to provide small, rural local educational agencies (LEAs) with financial assistance to address the unique needs of rural school districts that frequently lack the personnel and resources needed to compete effectively for Federal competitive grants and receive formula grant allocations in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes. LEAs are entitled to funds if they meet eligibility and application requirements. Awards are issued annually, and award amounts are determined using a formula.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. School districts may use Small, Rural School Achievement funds to pay for activities that are allowable under Title I, Part A, Title II, Part A, Title III, Title IV, Part A, and Title IV, Part B of the ESEA. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific.

For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to device or mobile hotspot access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as the “supplement not supplant” requirement. We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

The use of Small, Rural School Achievement Program funds for broadband infrastructure must be consistent with the definition of “minor remodeling” in 34 CFR Part 77. That definition of minor remodeling means “minor alterations in a previously completed building. The term also includes the extension of utility lines, such as water and electricity, from points beyond the confines of the space in which the minor remodeling is undertaken but within the confines of the previously completed building. The term does not include building construction, structural alterations to buildings, building maintenance, or repairs.”

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction) ☐ Broadband Adoption
Digital Skills Training
Mobile hotspots and mobile hotspot data plans;
Minor remodeling, consistent with 34 CFR Part 77, to improve the academic achievement of students served by the program.
Rural Recipients

Eligibility

K-12 Schools

Amount Available

FY2020 Funding Amount $92,920,000

Contact Website

https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement- programs/rural-education-achievement-program/small-rural-school-achievement-program/

Contact Information:

Patrick Carr – Group Leader, Rural Education Achievement Program

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

(202) 401-0039

Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program, Title IV, Part A

Overview

To improve student’s academic achievement by increasing the capacity of States, local educational agencies, schools and local communities to: (1) provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; (2) improve school conditions for student learning; and (3) improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy for all students.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific. For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to device or mobile hotspot access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as supplement not supplant, if it applies to program. We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

The use of SSAE Program funds for broadband infrastructure must be consistent with the definition of “minor remodeling” in 34 CFR Part 77. That definition of minor remodeling means “minor alterations in a previously completed building. The term also includes the extension of utility lines, such as water and electricity, from points beyond the confines of the space in which the minor remodeling is undertaken but within the confines of the previously completed building. The term does not include building construction, structural alterations to buildings, building maintenance, or repairs.”

A Special Rule in the SSAE program states that no more than 15 percent of funds for activities to support the effective use of technology may be used “for purchasing technology infrastructure as described in subsection (a)(2)(B), which includes technology infrastructure purchased for the activities under subsection (a)(4)(A).” To clarify, LEAs or consortiums of LEAs may not spend more than 15 percent of funding in this content area on devices, equipment, software applications, platforms, digital instructional resources and/or other one-time IT purchases. (ESEA section 4109(b)).

Expenditures for construction are prohibited under this program.

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction)

Digital Skills Training

Mobile hotspots and mobile hotspot data plans;

Minor remodeling, consistent with 34 CFR Part 77, to improve the academic achievement of students served by the program.

Eligibility

K-12 Schools

State and Local Governments

Amount Available

FY2020 Funding Amount  $1,210,000,000

Contact Website

https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/safe-supportive-schools/student-support- and-academic-enrichment-program/

Contact Information:

Bryan Williams – OESE Office of Safe and Supportive Schools

(202)453-6715
E-mail: OESE.TITLEIV-A@ed.gov

Title III, Part A: Strengthening Institutions

Overview

Overview The program helps eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low- income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.

This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific. For that reason, if you decide to use funds under one of these programs for costs related to broadband access, you must be sure that the use of the funds is, under the specific circumstances of the expenditure and the program authority selected, reasonable and necessary for the purposes of that program, and does not violate other program requirements, such as supplement not supplant, if it applies to program. We also note that, while funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction)
Broadband Adoption
Digital Skills Training
Mobile hotspots and data plans

Eligibility

Eligibility Higher Education

Amount Available

FY2020   $107,854,000

Contact Website

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduestitle3a/index.html

Contact Information:

Office of Postsecondary Education

Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Building 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20202

(202) 453-6914

Title III, Part B: Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program

Overview

This program provides financial assistance to Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs) to establish or strengthen their physical plants, financial management, academic
resources, and endowment-building capacity.

Purpose

Broadband Infrastructure (e.g., construction)

Broadband Adoption

Digital Skills Training

Mobile hotspots and data plans

Eligibility

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Amount Available

FY2020  $324,792,000

Contact Website

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduestitle3b/index.html

Contact Information:

Office of Postsecondary Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Building 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202

(202) 453-6914