DC School Choice Incentive Program (84.370)
Program
84.370 DC School Choice Incentive Program
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Elementary And Secondary Education
Authorization
DC School Choice Incentive Act of 2003, (Title III of Division C of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004).
Program Number
84.370
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide low-income parents residing in the District of Columbia (District) with expanded options for the education of their children. This program is part of a broader school improvement effort in the District.
Types of Assistance
PROJECT GRANTS
Uses and Use Restrictions
The Department will award one grant on a competitive basis to continue operation of the scholarship program for current student participants. These scholarships of up to $7,500 per student per school year will enable students wo are enrolled currently in the program to attend a participating nonpublic District elementary and secondary school of their choice and may be used to pay tuition and fees and transportation.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
An educational entity of the District of Columbia Government; a nonprofit organization; or a consortium of nonprofit organizations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
To receive an award under this program, an applicant must ensure that a majority of the members of its voting board or governing organization are residents of the District of Columbia. The Secretary gives priority to applications from eligible entities that will most effectively provide students and families with the widest range of educational options; to applications from eligible entities that will most effectively target resources to students and families who lack the financial resources to take advantage of available educational options; and to applications from eligible entities that will most effectively give priority to eligible students who, in the school year preceding the school year in which the student would use the scholarship, attend an elementary or secondary school identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under section 1116 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 6316).
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applicant must submit the following by the designated deadline: (1) The applicant must provide a written narrative, which addresses the selection criteria (and the required application content) that reviewers use in evaluating their applications. This Section must be limited to no more than 50 double-spaced pages. (2) Required forms to be submitted with the application include SF424; Sections A, B, and C of ED Form 524; Assurance - Non Construction Programs; Certifications Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Disclosure of Lobbying Activity; Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion - Lower Tier Covered Transactions. (3) Applicants for grants under this program are required to submit applications electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-Application) available through the Department's e-GRANTS system. Specific instructions for submitting applications electronically are included in the application notice.
Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed by the Department for eligibility and completeness. Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of experts. A funding slate is prepared and the highest ranked application is recommended for funding. Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of outcome. A grant awards is prepared and mailed to the successful grantee.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 60 days.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Applicants may apply for a project period of up to 12 months. Continuation awards are subject to the availability of appropriations.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Applicants may apply for a project period of up to 12 months. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual performance are required for each budget period. Specific due dates are determined by the Department and forwarded to applicants accordingly. Final performance reports are due 90 days after expiration or termination of the award. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.
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 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.
Records
In accordance with the General Education Provisions Act and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), certain financial records must be maintained for a period of three years.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: One continuation award was made in FY 2008. Fiscal Year 2009: A new competition is being held to award one grant to continue operation of the program for current student participants during the 2009-2010 school year. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
20-1817-0-1-501.
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 08 $14,800,000; FY 09 est $14,000,000; FY 10 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Average new awards: $12,661,016.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
The Closing Date Notice will be published in the Federal Register. Contact the Program Office for more information.
Related Programs
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Michelle Armstrong Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: michelle.armstrong@ed.gov Phone: (202) 205-1729
Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/programs/dcchoice/index.html .
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: The Washington Scholarship Fund, the grantee under the program, has established the Opportunity Scholarship Programs (OSP) to provide eligible students with expanded school choice options. These scholarships of up to $7,500 per student per school yer enable students from low-income families to attend a participating nonpublic District elementary or secondary school of their choice. Fiscal Year 2009: A new grant will be awarded to provide continuation scholarships for current student participants during the 2009-2010 school years. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The selection criteria are contained in the closing date notice.
