There are several resources that can provide assistance for you to meet your educational goals, including the federal government.
There are two types of educational grants. One is discretionary grants and the other is called a cooperative agreement. Discretionary grants are set up by a competitive process and cooperative agreements are a type of discretionary grant that involves collaboration with the recipient and the department from which the grant was awarded. There is also student financial assistance and formula grants which are not in the same department as government grant money. Financial assistance is based off of money needs for school, while formula grant programs are non-competitive awards. They are based from program offices.
Where does the money come from?
There are several providers that contribute to grant fund money. There is an entire American Grant Provider Directory with resources and databases of people who contribute money. Wealthy corporations and individuals are required to contribute 5% of their assets to a tax exempt status. Out of this money each group of corporations will focus on certain parts of the population or area. There are also federal programs. The US Government will distribute money to businesses, individuals and schools. These can all also be found in the American Grant Provider Directory.
Guidelines
1. You can apply for as many grants as you want.
2. The money never has to be paid back.
3. You must be a U.S. citizen
4. You don't need a credit card, collateral, or special qualifications.
5. Federal grants will require you to use money for the specific purpose you stated (education). However, if you receive the grant from a private foundation, it is not required for you to spend that money.
Finding Information
1. www.ed.gov. This website will give information about grant funding and the types of programs available.
2. The Guide to U.S. Department of Education Programs can be accessed by internet, phone, or mail. It gives the different types of grant programs.
3. There are application notices in the Federal Register to let you know about grant competitions. This will have all of the program and funding information and tells you where you can pick up an application.
4. Combined Application Notices are often given in proposed program schedules. It is published once a year by the federal registrar and is posted on the website.
The Process
1. The Department of Education sets up a structure for review, award, and administration of grants.
2. Go to the website to find the different kinds of grants.
3. Determine whether you are eligible for the program. You can always use the Guide to find the grant program. There are numbers for each program as well as a catalog.
4. Always review the rules and regulations. There is a Code of Federal regulation (CFR) on the website in other information. Remember that this is only updated once a year.
5. Contact the program office that is sponsoring the grant.
6. Send in an application. This will usually include a narrative description of the project, an estimated budget, and the dates that you will be using. An application package will usually be given to you to fill out. It also includes an application notice, program regulations, requirements (certifications, assurances, etc), a letter that gives an overview of the program and tells the priorities of that competition, and the application instructions and forms. Usually, the directions are clear, but if you still need help, there is a contact person from the program office to which you are applying. There are also pre-application workshops available to assist you in filling out your application.
7. Send your application to the application control center under the Department of Education, unless the mailing instructions on your package tell you to do otherwise. Make sure to get the application deadline correct, or it will not be accepted. You can not make any corrections after the deadline.
8. The application is sent to the Department of Discretion. These are usually divided into grant teams that focus on different types of educational needs. There are often times grant application reviewers to consider each application. Each application will be ranked by number. The highest scores receive funding.
9. The entire process of awarding a grant takes between four to six months.
Shaping Regulations and Funding
The public has the right to vote on proposed funding priorities before the Department publishes them. Before a certain deadline, a document will be sent out known as the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The public can comment on what they believe are the places where the funding can go. These comments are then considered in the final draft of regulations for that years funding.
What Happens After all of the Applications Are Complete
1. Post-award communications and discussions - Department officials will often contact you to let you know exactly what your grant includes. You may also receive calls about concerns with the funding. There are also funding offers that can be made if they believe that your proposal is either missing important steps or has too many. You can always reject the changes for the funding offer.
2. Hold funding status often happens to applicants. It means that they are ranking lower than the funded groups but still have a chance if more money becomes available or one of the funded applicants declines the award.
3. Congress is notified of the applicants who are being funded and what state they are from.
4. If you are not granted an award, you will still be notified. You can request a written explanation of this decision if you wish.
5. You must sign the Grant Award Notification (GAN) to be funded. This means that you are obligated to meet the requirements that you applied for in the grant. This document will state the terms, conditions, and amount of the award.
6. Remember that you will not always be funded for the exact amount that you requested.
7. Your application is given a file. Review materials will be added to this later.
8. After you have received your award, it means there is a partnership between you and the Department of Education. This means that there needs to be open communication between you and the grant team throughout the award.
9. The Post-Award Performance Conference is the first discussion that happens between you and the grant team. It usually happens ninety days after the award. It requires handling the details of the project as well as the outcomes and progress. This can happen face-to-face, over the phone, by workshop, or e-mail.
10. You will receive your money through the Grant Administration and Payment System (GAPS). Before receiving this money, you must request it through this organization. This is then deposited into your financial institution. For some grants, this money may be given out in timed sections.
11. If you have received money for more than one year, you must submit a performance report to your grant team. This will give changes that need to be made and will show the progress that you have made.
12. When your education or project period is done, you will have a grant closeout. This means that the grant team will make sure that you have done the work required and have used the money accordingly.
