AUTHORIZATION:

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

OBJECTIVES:

To provide information on financial and academic assistance available for qualified adults desiring to pursue a program of postsecondary education and to assist them in applying for admission to institutions of postsecondary education.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds are awarded to institutions of higher education or agencies for establishment and operation of centers to collect and disseminate information concerning financial aid and academic programs available to participants seeking to pursue postsecondary education and to assist participants in preparing admission and financial aid applications. Centers may also provide tutoring and counseling for project participants who are not enrolled in an Upward Bound or a Student Support Services project. A grantee may not use the center as a part of its recruitment program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Institutions of higher education, public and private not-for-profit agencies and organizations, a combination of the above and, in exceptional cases, secondary schools may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Persons residing in the target area who need one or more of the services provided by the project in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education and who desire to pursue or who are pursuing a program of postsecondary education. Two-thirds of the participants must be low-income individuals who are also potential first-generation college students. Project participants must be at least nineteen years old (exceptions allowed). Required low-income criteria for participants are stated in application materials.

Credentials/Documentation:   Costs will be determined in accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). OMB Circular A-21 applies. OMB Circular A-122 applies. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

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:   OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. 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 Federal TRI0 Programs, College and University Preparation and Support Team. This program is subject to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

Award Procedure:   Selected non-Federal field readers evaluate new proposals based on the selection criteria established in program regulations 34 CFR 644.21 and 34 CFR 644.22. Grantees will be selected on the basis of satisfactory proposals and availability of funds. Grants are awarded through Federal TRIO Programs office.

Deadlines:   Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

From 90 to 180 days.

Appeals:   

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:   

Awards are for five 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.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

Five-year projects, annual awards. Continuation awards are subject to the availability of funds and evidence that the grantee is making satisfactory progress. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Grantees must submit an annual performance report. No cash reports are required. Progress reports are required for a project in its first year of funding. Staff monitor grants drawdowns using agency financial reports. Reporting on performance measures is required as part of the submittal of the required annual performance report.

Audits:   Grantees must submit an annual performance report. No cash reports are required. Progress reports are required for a project in its first year of funding. Staff monitor grants drawdowns using agency financial reports. Reporting on performance measures is required as part of the submittal of the required annual performance report.

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 $46,925,000; FY 16 est $56,081,000; and FY 17 est $50,220,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

Varies by competition. In 2015, awards ra6nged from $204,665 to $1,172,518; the average award was approximately $369,892.

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