Indian School Equalization Program (15.042)
Program
15.042 Indian School Equalization Program
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of the Interior
Office: Bureau of Indian Education
Authorization
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.; Indian Education Amendments of 1978, Public Law 95-561, 25 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.; Tribally Controlled Schools Act, 25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.
Program Number
15.042
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide funding for primary and secondary education.
Types of Assistance
DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR A SPECIFIED USE
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds may be used for the education of Indian children in BIA funded schools. Funds may not be used for construction.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Federally Recognized Indian Tribes or tribal organizations currently served by a Bureau of Indian Affairs funded school.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Children between the ages of 5 and 21 who are a member of or are at least a one-fourth degree Indian blood descendant of a member of an Indian tribe which is eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States through the Bureau of Indian Affairs to Indians because of their status as Indians.
Credentials/Documentation
Written evidence of approval of the application by the tribal governing body of the students served by or to be served by the school. "Tribal governing body" means the tribal governing body or tribal governing bodies that represent at least 90 percent of the students served by such school. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
An applicant should consult the Agency/Area Education Program Administrator who will provide technical assistance. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. To become a contract school, applications should be developed in accordance with 25 CFR Part 900. To become a grant school, applications should be developed in accordance with 25 USC 2501 et. seq.
Award Procedure
The Agency/Area Education Program Administrator will ensure the application is complete and forward the application to the Director, Office of Indian Education Programs, with a recommendation for approval or disapproval.
Deadlines
Jul 01, 2009 Schools must submit their applications and a copy of the tribe's approval of the application by March 1. Evidence that all administrative systems are in place such as accounting, personnel and property must be submitted by July 1.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Applications for contract schools will be processed within 90 days; applications for grant schools will be processed within 180 days after the date the application is submitted to the Agency/Area Education Program Administrator.
Appeals
An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR, Part 900.
Renewals
Awards are made annually and are renewed automatically based on satisfactory performance by the grantee.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title 25, Chapter 39. Approximately ninety-nine percent of the ISEP funds will be allocated in accordance with the ISEP formula contained in 25 CFR 39. One percent of the funds shall be reserved for the Director's discretion.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds may be paid in advance, are awarded annually on an indefinite basis based on performance, and remain with the Self Determination contractor or grantee until spent. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual Narrative Report and a program evaluation by an impartial third party such as an accrediting agency. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Federal Financial Report, SF 425 is required. 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.
Records
Financial records must be retained for 3 years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for 3 years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: Approximately 30,000 students are served by 122 tribally operated schools. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-2100-0-1-501.
Obligations
(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 08 $221,765,000; FY 09 est $225,600,000; FY 10 est $225,600,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The estimated range is $101,400 to $8,600,000. The average is $1,774,000 per school.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
25 CFR 39; 25 CFR 45; 25 CFR 900.
Related Programs
15.043 Indian Child and Family Education; 15.044 Indian Schools_Student Transportation; 15.045 Assistance for Indian Children with Severe Disabilities
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. See Education Line Officers' addresses in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Joe Herrin Office of Indian Education Programs, Bureau of Indian Affairs, MS 3609 MIB, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Email: joe_herrin@bia.gov Phone: (202)208-7658
Web Site Address
http://www.oiep.bia.edu/; http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: ISEP funds are used to provide basic education and residential programs to Indian students not served by public or sectarian schools. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applicants meeting eligibility criteria are funded.
