Selected Recipients for this Program

Fiscal Year 2016: No Current Data Available. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2018: No Current Data Available

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are awarded to institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations, and combinations of such entities for the 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, to secondary school dropouts, guidance on secondary school reentry or entry to an alternative education program.

Centers may also provide tutoring, mentoring, and counseling services.

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 agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and as appropriate to the purposes of the program; secondary schools.

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. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication 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 Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards 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 TRIO Programs, College and University Preparation and Support Team. This program is subject to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

Award Procedures

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.

Authorization

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 90 to 180 days.

Appeals

The program statute requires a second review of unsuccessful applications. The Department implements the second review process in accordance with the process specified in 34 CFR 644.24. 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.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. This program has no matching requirements. The statute establishes a minimum grant amount. 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.

Expenditure reports are required.

No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR 74.26, 75.702, 75.910, and 74.61.

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.

Obigations

(Project Grants) FY 16 $55,918,000; FY 17 est $55,899,000; and FY 18 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Varies by competition. In 2016, awards ranged from $220,547 to $1,172,518; the average award was approximately $334,157.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

EDGAR and regulation 34 CFR 644. New regulations are under development. Contact the program office for additional details.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Rachel Couch, Student Service Division, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: rachel.couch@ed.gov Phone: (202) 502-7655.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

For new awards the Selection Criteria in 34 CFR 644.21 and 644.22 are considered. Contact the program office for additional information.