CFDA#
84.358A
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Funder Type
Federal Government
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IT Classification
B - Readily funds technology as part of an award
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Authority
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)
Summary
The purpose of the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program is to provide rural local educational agencies (LEAs) with financial assistance to fund initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement.
Funds received under the SRSA program may be used to carry out activities authorized under one or more of the following Federal programs:
- Title I-A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies) Example: A school district develops an entrepreneurial education program to supplement its civics curriculum.
- Title II-A (Supporting Effective Instruction) Example: A school district pays the stipend for a prospective teacher to work alongside an effective teacher, who is the teacher of record, for a full academic year.
- Title III (Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students) Example: A school district offers an afterschool enrichment program for English learners.
- Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment) Example: A school district purchases a bully prevention program for all schools.
- Title IV-B (21st Century Community Learning Centers) Example: A school district purchases instruments to supplement schools' band and orchestra programs.
History of Funding
Previous years' funding is available at: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/rural-education-achievement-program/small-rural-school-achievement-program/funding-status/
Additional Information
SRSA is one of two programs housed under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act's (ESEA) Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP). The ‘‘Choice of Participation'' provision gives an LEA eligible for both SRSA and the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program the option to participate in either the SRSA program or the RLIS program, but not both. An LEA eligible for both SRSA and RLIS is referred to as a ‘‘dual-eligible LEA". Approximately 2,500 school districts and charter schools are dual-eligible. These LEAs will receive enhanced guidance on how to choose between SRSA and RLIS. To see how SRSA differs from RLIS, view the comparison table at: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/rural-education-achievement-program/considerations-dual-eligible-leas/.
The Alternative Fund Use Authority (AUFA) allows SRSA-eligible LEAs greater flexibility in spending the funds they receive under Title II, Part A, and Title IV, Part A to best address the LEA's particular needs. Under AFUA, LEAs are able to use their Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A funds to pay for activities under any of the allowable uses for SRSA grant funds.
- An SRSA-eligible LEA does not have to apply for SRSA funds may exercise AUFA.
- An LEA that is eligible for both SRSA and RLIS funds may exercise AUFA even if the LEA chooses to participate in RLIS instead of SRSA.
- Before exercising AUFA, an eligible LEA must notify its state education agency (SEA) of its intent to do so by the deadline established by the SEA.
To view the SRSA program's FAQs for more information, go to: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/reapsrsa/faq.html
A recorded presentation from 2020 on the uses of SRSA funds can be viewed at: https://oese.ed.gov/files/2020/07/NAESPA-Presentation-Recording-audio.mp3.
Eligibility Details
An LEA (including a public charter school that is considered an LEA under State law), is eligible for an award under the SRSA program if:
- The total number of students in average daily attendance at all of the schools served by the LEA is fewer than 600, or each county in which a school served by the LEA is located has a total population density of fewer than 10 persons per square mile; and,
- All of the schools served by the LEA are designated with a school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, by the Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES); or the Secretary of Education has determined, based on a demonstration by the LEA and with the state educational agency, that the LEA is located in an area defined as rural by a state governmental agency.
To view a list of LEAs that have been identified as eligible for the SRSA grant for FY 2024, go to https://oese.ed.gov/files/2024/02/FY2024_Master_Eligibility_Spreadsheet-PMES.xlsx
NOTE: In the case of an SRSA-eligible LEA that is a member of an SRSA-eligible educational service agency (ESA), the LEA and ESA must coordinate directly with each other to determine which entity will submit an SRSA application on the LEA's behalf, as both entities may not apply for or receive SRSA funds for the LEA. If an LEA is a member of an ESA that is not SRSA-eligible, but the LEA meets the SRSA eligibility requirements, then the LEA is eligible to receive an SRSA grant and must submit the application themselves.
Additionally, a separate application must be submitted for each eligible LEA. For example, if a rural community has two distinct LEAs—one composed of its elementary school(s) and one composed of its high school(s)—each distinct LEA must submit its own SRSA application with the LEA's own Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
Deadline Details
Each eligible LEA will be sent a unique application link that includes instructions on completing the online application through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) MAX Survey platform on March 19, 2024. These eligible LEAs are to submit their applications by May 10, 2024. A similar deadline is anticipated annually.
Award Details
Approximately $107,500,000 is available for SRSA in FY 2024. Approximately 4,20 awards are anticipated. Individual awards range from $0 to $60,000.
Grant funding is allocated to eligible LEAs based on the following formula:
- The number of students in average daily attendance, minus 50.
- Multiply this number by $100.
- Add $20,000.
- If the total is above $60,000, this amount is capped at $60,000.
- From the amount above, subtract the sum of the allocations received by the LEA during the prior fiscal year under Title II-A and Title IV-A.
Please check your state's education department website for information on your district's estimated allocation based on previous fiscal years.
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