FY2027: High School Equivalency

Fund Code: 0850

Purpose:

The purpose of this state-funded grant program is to assist in the day-to-day operation of High School Equivalency Test Centers (HSE) including, but not limited to, the cost for test administration, accommodations, and technology upgrades.

Priorities:

The priorities for use of these funds must be in the areas of test center materials, technology, staffing, disability and English language learner accommodations, and travel to HSE Chief Examiner meetings for approved HSE Test Centers only.

Priority will be given to districts and schools in the strategic transformation region.

Eligibility:

Only approved HSE Test Centers are eligible to apply. See funding section for a list of approved HSE Test Centers and funding amounts available for each center.

Funding Type:

State Line item 7035-0002

The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Funding:

Approximately $247,953 is available.

This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

FY27 HSE Test Center	FY27 Total Grant
Bridge Over Troubled Waters	$3,309
Clinton Public School District	$4,387
Collaborative for Educational Services	$2,186
Falmouth Public School District	$1,300
Foundation for Boston Centers (BCYF)	$14,400
ISA Barnstable House of Correction (SDC)	$1,300
ISA Berkshire Community College	$2,147
ISA Bridgewater State University	$10,633
ISA Bristol Community College	$7,882
ISA Bristol County Sheriff's Office (BSD)	$1,300
ISA Bunker Hill Community College	$8,913
ISA Cape Cod Community College	$3,712
ISA Executive Office of Public Safety (Boston Pre-Release) (EPS)	$1,300
ISA Greenfield Community College	$2,325
ISA Holyoke Community College	$9,486
ISA Massachusetts Department of Corrections (DOC)	$8,122
ISA Massasoit Community College	$4,937
ISA Mount Wachusett Community College	$10,680
ISA Norfolk House of Corrections (SDN)	$1,300
ISA North Shore Community College	$16,081
ISA Northern Essex Community College	$7,711
ISA Plymouth House of Corrections (SDP)	$1,300
ISA Quinsigamond Community College	$8,285
ISA Roxbury Community College	$13,028
ISA Sheriff's Department Berkshire (SDB)	$1,300
ISA Sheriff's Department Dukes (SDD)	$1,300
ISA Sheriff's Department Essex (SDE)	$1,300
ISA Sheriff's Department Franklin (SDF)	$1,628
ISA Sheriff's Department Hampden (SDH)	$2,100
ISA Sheriff's Department Hampshire (HSD)	$1,300
ISA Sheriff's Department Middlesex (SDM)	$1,300
ISA Sheriff's Department Worcester (SDW)	$2,457
ISA Springfield Technical Community College	$16,275
ISA Suffolk County House of Corrections (SDS)	$1,300
Lawrence Public School District	$9,858
Lowell Public School District	$7,161
Martha's Vineyard Public School District	$1,300
Nantucket Public School District	$1,300
New Bedford Public School District	$8,967
North Adams Public School District	$2,077
Quincy College	$1,488
Randolph Community Partnership, Inc.	$1,300
Somerville Public School District	$17,717
Springfield Public School District	$8,161
Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical	$1,300
Wakefield Public School District	$1,300
Wellspring House, Inc.	$1,806
Wellspring Multi-Service Center	$1,300
Worcester Public School District	$6,634
Total	$247,953

Fund Use:

Funds must be used in any or all of the following areas if needed.

• Non-Instructional Materials — testing materials and office supplies/equipment
• Staffing — for both regular and accommodation needs
• Travel to HSE Chief Examiner's Meeting and HSE conference registration

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (No earlier than 7/1/2026)* – 6/30/2027

*Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot be obligated beyond the project duration end date.

Program Unit:

ACLS

Contact:

Sianna Loftus

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3481

Date Due:

Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on the date due.

Required Forms:

• Required Program Information — Letter of Assurance

• ISAs for Required Programs: State Colleges and Universities; State Agencies & Correctional Facilities

Submission Instructions:

The FY27 0850 High School Equivalency Grant must be submitted in GEM$.

• Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off. All roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, maintained at the LEA level or sent in to the DESE RFP contact as described on the individual forms.

The user guidance documents and forms are found on the GEM$ homepage under DESE Resources. These forms can be accessed without logging in to the system.

Last Updated: April 14, 2026