The purpose of this continuation grant program is to provide a foundation of services within Massachusetts community colleges that enable adult learners to transition into and ultimately complete postsecondary education.
The priority is to support programs in community colleges that:
successfully enroll and retain adults who were previously enrolled in ESE-funded adult learning programs (e.g., Community Adult Learning Centers and Adult Education Programs in Correctional Institutions);
are fully integrated into the community college;
provide instruction (i.e., academic and college-readiness skills) and advising support to ensure that students function successfully in postsecondary education;
provide students access to degree-bearing college credit courses at no cost through participation in the Transition program; and
create clear, effective pathways to degree programs, certificate programs, and/or careers for students upon completion of the Transition program designed to fill in academic gaps in order for students to bypass developmental education courses.
This is a continuation grant. All recipients awarded in the FY2018 Open and Competitive process are eligible to apply.
State
Approximately $959,595 of state funding is available to support the Transition to Community College services, subject to the appropriation of state and federal funds. See below.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.
Funds must be used in accordance with the FY20 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education (AE) Transition to Community College11 to provide adult education to eligible students; eligible students are:
Not less than 95 percent of funds must be spent on adult education direct services and literacy activities; not more than 5 percent may be spent on administrative costs (related to planning, administration, (including carrying out performance accountability requirements), professional development, providing adult education and literacy services in alignment with local workforce plans, carrying out one-stop partner responsibilities, and state approved indirect costs charged to the grant.
Programs may negotiate a higher administrative cost percentage by submitting a written request and rationale with application. The state will not grant administrative cost requests that exceed 25% of grant funds (state requirement).
The Adult Education Services is a restricted rate program that is subject to a statutory "supplement not supplant" restriction. Grantees are required to use a restricted indirect cost rate of 8%, unless your calculated indirect cost rate is less than 8%, than you must use the lower rate for your budget. If you have an approved negotiated federal indirect cost rate, it must be submitted to DESE. If you do not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, you must apply annually to DESE for an approved indirect cost rate. The indirect cost rate is calculated using costs specified in the grantee's indirect cost plan. Those specified costs may not be charged as direct costs to the grant or to any other grant under any circumstances.
Upon Approval (No earlier than 7/1/2019) – 6/30/2020This is the last year of this grant funding cycle.
Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)
Derek Kalchbrenner781-338-3812
Monday, May 20, 2019
Applicants who are state agencies (i.e., state and community colleges, County Houses of Correction) require an ISA process to issue these funds. The ISA process can take 4 – 6 weeks as it flows through DESE as well as other state financial offices before it is final. To avoid disruptions in spending, Applicants who require an ISA should expect to submit their grant by May 17, 2019 to avoid delays in receiving funds.
These required forms must be submitted online through EdGrants.
This information is intended for state entities who require ISAs as part of their grant award process. Not intended for Private or Community Based Organizations.
Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants.
In EdGrants, applicants are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:
FY20 FC668 (Full legal name of program)
All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with CEO/Superintendent/Executive Director signature. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.
For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.
Please note: It is up to the applicant to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.
1 The FY20 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education Transition to Community College are posted to the ACLS AE Transition to Community College webpage.
Last Updated: May 13, 2019
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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