The document outlines revised common instructions for applicants pursuing discretionary grant programs from the U.S. Department of Education, aimed at reducing barriers for applicants. Key updates include the elimination of references to the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS), replaced by the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and technical adjustments to the application process. Applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and provide a UEI and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in their applications submitted via Grants.gov by strict deadlines. Required submission formats include read-only flattened PDFs or Microsoft Word documents, emphasizing the importance of complying with file type guidelines. Specific procedures for electronic submissions, paper application contingencies, and accommodations for individuals with disabilities are also addressed. The document serves to streamline the application process while ensuring compliance with federal requirements, enhancing accessibility and clarity for potential grant recipients. This update is significant for stakeholders involved in federal grants and RFPs by clarifying processes and expectations to facilitate better engagement with educational funding opportunities.
The Department of Education is inviting applications for the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) Program aimed at enhancing support for veteran students in higher education. The initiative recognizes that veterans, who make up 3.7% of undergraduates, face unique challenges that hinder their academic persistence and completion compared to non-veterans. The program will provide approximately $8.91 million in discretionary grants, with individual awards ranging from $650,000 to $750,000 for a duration of up to 36 months. The core requirement is establishing Centers of Excellence to coordinate comprehensive services addressing the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of veteran students.
Applicants must demonstrate their capability to build local capacity, ensure successful outcomes, and implement evidence-based strategies for veteran support. The priorities of the grant include enhancing the social and emotional development of students, promoting equitable access to educational resources, and supporting programs aimed at increasing access and completion rates for underserved student populations. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to improving educational outcomes for veterans through targeted support and resource allocation.
The Department of Education has reopened application deadlines for two federal programs targeting Texas counties affected by Hurricane Beryl (DR–4798–TX). For the Fiscal Year 2025 Student Support Services (SSS) Program, the new application deadline is July 30, 2024, and the intergovernmental review deadline extends to September 30, 2024. Similarly, for the Fiscal Year 2024 Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) Program, applicants now have until August 5, 2024, to submit applications, with the intergovernmental review period extending to October 4, 2024.
Eligible applicants must demonstrate they are located within federally declared disaster areas and may need to provide documentation upon request. Both programs offer critical support to organizations aiming to enhance educational outcomes and veteran success. However, the extended deadlines specifically apply to affected applicants, while those unimpacted must adhere to the original deadlines. This initiative reflects the federal commitment to assist educational programs in disaster-stricken regions and facilitate recovery efforts.