The purpose of this competitive grant is to provide planning resources for Early College applicants and potential applicants to the Massachusetts Early College Designation:
Early College provides a framework and criteria to rethink high school, college, and the pathway through both, facilitating college access and success. The MA Early College Designation intentionally prioritizes underrepresented students in higher education as an effective strategy for addressing equity gaps in postsecondary education. These resources are intended to support both the secondary school partner and institutes of higher education (IHE) partner in their planning and design of the Early College program.
Priorities for this grant include, but are not limited to:
Developing Early College programs which include:
Creating and implementing strategies to prioritize and intentionally serve students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including those who are first in their family to go to college, students of color, English language learners, students with disabilities, low-income students.
Creating thoughtful academic pathways focused on MassTransfer courses that also meet Mass Core and high school graduation requirements
Creating widespread and supportive college-going culture, particularly among student populations underrepresented in higher education.
Creating redesigned schedules that allow program participants to onboard to college coursework, pursue college coursework, and access academic supports for their coursework during their school day.
Building out academic and career advising and activities to foster participation in postsecondary pursuits.
Building out career activities which allow students to relate college coursework to potential careers.
Supporting professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to ensure equitable access in programs and develop strong Early College programming.
Priority will be given to districts and schools where the majority of the school population represents populations underrepresented in higher education.
Priority will be given to proposed partnerships who have not received previous Early College planning funds through the Commonwealth.
Priority will be given to proposed partnerships who are committing to meeting the criteria of a Full School Impact Early College model
Early College Full School Impact and Early College Incubator Grantees are excluded from eligibility.
Option A — Planning for SY23 Designation: These funds are available for MA Early College Designation Applicants who have submitted a Part A Application in August of 2022 to begin programming in FY23. Awardees will be determined by the approval by DESE and DHE of their reviewed Part A Early College application, as well as their grant responses in Part III of this application. Eligible partnerships will have met the Part A requirements outlined in the Designation Application Companion 2022
Option B — Full School Pre-Planning for SY24 Designation: If funds are available after the awarding of Option A grantees, these funds will be made available for SY24 Early College Designation applicants who are planning to implement a Full School Impact model launching in Fall 2024-2025.
Eligible applicants are committing to the planning of an impactful, large scale, or "full school" immersive Early College program model. Full school, immersive models typically entail either an entire student population being enrolled in an Early College program (often called "wall to wall"), or a scale program that enrolls at least 400 students. These program models are structured to award a minimum of 30 college credits to Early College students prior to their high school graduation.
Either the K–12 institution or institution of higher education (IHE) partner can serve as the fiscal sponsor. However, given that funds will be disbursed through EdGrants management system, we recommend for ease of the grant submission process that the K–12 institution serves as the fiscal sponsor.
State
A total $850,000 is available through this FY23 grant. Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. Option A will be awarded before Option B and may impact the funds available for Option B. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
Option A — Planning for SY23 Designation:
K–12 institution applying for its' first Early College Designation that is not proposing a Full Scale Impact model is eligible for up to $50,000.
K–12 institution applying for its first Designation that is proposing a full school impact model is eligible for up to $75,000.
K–12 institution applying for its second (or more) Early College Designation that is not proposing a Full School Impact model is eligible for up to $25,000.
Designated K–12 institution who is planning to add an IHE partner and convert to a full school impact model is eligible for up to $50,000.
Option B — Full School Pre-Planning for SY24 Designation:
K–12 partner with no prior Designations who is seriously planning a Full School Impact Early College model is eligible for up to $50,000
Designated K–12 partner with prior Designations who is seriously planning to convert to a Full School Impact Early College model is eligible for up to $25,000
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. Option A will be awarded before Option B and may impact the funds available for Option B. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
This grant cannot be applied towards capital expenses or MTRS.
Upon Approval – 6/30/2023
FC 461 State PAC account allowing for funds to be used 7/1/23 – 8/31/23
Early College Office
Rebekah Barr
(781) 338-3310
Option A: Planning Grants Date Due: Tuesday October 4, 2022
Option B: Full School Impact Pre-Planning Grants Date Due: November 12, 2022
Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
Part II — Budget
Part III — Responses
Grant applications must be submitted via email to Rebekah.Barr@mass.gov and received by the Department on the date due.
Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget and Part I in EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.
Last Updated: April 6, 2023
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.