AUTHORIZATION:

Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Executive Order Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Section 402D.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide supportive services to disadvantaged college students to enhance their potential for successfully completing the postsecondary education program in which they are enrolled and increase their transfer rates from 2-year to 4-year institutions. To foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of disadvantaged college students.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

All projects must provide academic tutoring, advice on postsecondary course selection, financial aid counseling, services to improve financial and economic literacy, assistance in applying for graduate and professional programs, and activities to help students in 2-year institutions enroll in 4-year programs. Projects may also provide personal and career counseling; exposure to cultural events; mentoring; services to secure temporary housing during academic breaks for students who are homeless; activities for students with disabilities or limited English proficiency, homeless students, and students in foster care; and grant aid (not to exceed 20 percent of a project's funds).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Institutions of higher education and combinations of institutions of higher education may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Low-income, first generation college students or disabled students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution which is the recipient of the grant and who are in need of academic support in order to successfully pursue a program of postsecondary education. At least two-thirds of the project participants must be disabled or must be low-income individuals who are first generation college students. The remaining participants must be disabled, low-income individuals, or first generation college students. One-third of the disabled participants must be low-income. Required low-income criteria for participants are stated in application materials.

Credentials/Documentation:   Low-income, first generation college students or disabled students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution which is the recipient of the grant and who are in need of academic support in order to successfully pursue a program of postsecondary education. At least two-thirds of the project participants must be disabled or must be low-income individuals who are first generation college students. The remaining participants must be disabled, low-income individuals, or first generation college students. One-third of the disabled participants must be low-income. Required low-income criteria for participants are stated in application materials.

Pre-application Coordination:   Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Develop a proposal in accordance with regulations, applications, and timetables issued by the Secretary of Education; no State Plan is required. Requests for program applications should be made to the Office of Federal TRIO Programs, College and University Support Team. This program is subject to the provisions of EDGAR.

Award Procedure:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Develop a proposal in accordance with regulations, applications, and timetables issued by the Secretary of Education; no State Plan is required. Requests for program applications should be made to the Office of Federal TRIO Programs, College and University Support Team. This program is subject to the provisions of EDGAR.

Deadlines:   Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

Approximately 90 to 180 days.

Appeals:   

Yes. The program statute authorizes a second review of unsuccessful applications. The Department is developing regulations to implement a second review process for unsuccessful applicants. An unsuccessful applicant requesting a second review must provide evidence that the Department, an agent of the Department, or a peer reviewer made a technical, administrative, or scoring error in the processing or review of its application.

Renewals:   

The grant period is 5 years. Continuation awards are approved on an annual basis; subject to the availability of funds and evidence that the grantee is meeting the conditions of the grant and making substantial progress towards meeting the project objectives.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: Any grantee that uses funds for student grant aid must match the funds, in cash, from non-Federal funds, in an amount that is not less than 33 percent of the total amount of student grant aid funds, unless the grantee is eligible for a waiver to the match. This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

Five year projects, with annual continutation awards. Continuation awards are subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory progress by the grantee. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Contact the program office.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Performance reports are required on an annual basis. No cash reports are required. Progress reports are required for a period in its first year of funding. Staff monitor grant drawdowns using agency financial reports. Reporting on performance measures is required as part of the submittal of the required annual performance report.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 75.702 and 74.61.

Records:   In accordance with Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 75.730, 75.731, and 75.732.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations:   (Project Grants) FY 15 $297,257,000; FY 16 est $303,793,000; and FY 17 est $303,393,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

Awards in 2015 ranged from $109,140,980 to $1,387,251; the average award was $274,983.

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