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Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

FY2021: FAFSA Completion Opportunity Grant

Fund Code: 432

Purpose:

Provide direct support to students and families in the completion of the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in high schools with high numbers of economically disadvantaged students.

Priorities:

Due to the COVID pandemic FAFSA completion across the nation and the Commonwealth is significantly low this year as compared to previous years. The priority of this federal funding is to increase the number of students completing FAFSA and attending college through the use of data to identify and support students and their families in completing FAFSA and the financial aid process in fifty identified high schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

  • Support school counselors and other school personnel to use available data (including Edwin FAFSA completion reports) to target students who have yet to apply for FAFSA and higher education
  • Work with college access programs and community organizations to provide supports for students and their families to complete FAFSA and college applications.
  • Target first generation college going students and students from populations historically underrepresented in higher education.
  • Work with community colleges and state universities to transition students to higher education to avoid "summer melt"
  • Support families and students in FAFSA completion and college applications outside of traditional school time (evenings, weekends, vacation) and locations that are responsive to student and family needs in an effective linguistic and cultural approach.

Eligibility:

Districts serving the 50 priority high schools in the Commonwealth with the highest number of economically disadvantaged graduates.

Funding Type:

Federal CFDA 84.425

Funding:

Districts may apply for funds to serve priority high schools identified in their district. Amounts are based on numbers of economically disadvantaged students enrolled in those priority schools.

DistrictPriority High SchoolsAmount
BostonBoston Latin Academy, Brighton High School, East Boston High School, Madison Park High School, O'Bryant Math Science High School, Tech Boston Academy45,000
BrocktonBrockton High School25,000
CambridgeCambridge Rindge and Latin School10,000
ChelseaChelsea High School 10,000
ChicopeeChicopee Comprehensive High School5,000
EverettEverett High School15,000
Fall RiverDurfee High School20,000
FitchburgFitchburg High School10,000
FraminghamFramingham High School10,000
Greater Fall River Regional Vocational TechnicalGreater Fall River Regional Vocational Technical School10,000
Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational TechnicalGreater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical School15,000
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational TechnicalGreater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical School15,000
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational TechnicalGreater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical School10,000
HaverhillHaverhill High School10,000
HolyokeHolyoke High School15,000
LawrenceLawrence High School25,000
LowellLowell High School20,000
LynnClassical High School , Lynn English High School , Lynn Vocational Technical School 40,000
MaldenMalden High School15,000
MedfordMedford High School5,000
MethuenMethuen High School10,000
New BedfordNew Bedford High School20,000
Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational TechnicalNortheast Metro Technical School5,000
PeabodyPeabody High School5,000
QuincyNorth Quincy High School , Quincy High School 15,000
RevereRevere High School15,000
SalemSalem High School5,000
SomervilleSomerville High School10,000
Southeastern Regional Vocational TechnicalSoutheastern Regional Vocational Technical School10,000
SpringfieldHigh School of Commerce, Putnam Vocational High School, Springfield Central High School, Springfield High School of Science and Technology 70,000
TauntonTaunton High School10,000
WalthamWaltham High School5,000
West SpringfieldWest Springfield High School5,000
WeymouthWeymouth High School5,000
WorcesterBurncoat High School , Doherty High School , North High School, South High School , Worcester Technical High School60,000

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.

Additional funding of up to $10,000 may be available for districts in FY2022 that meet or exceed last year's FAFSA completion rate by May 1, 2021.

Fund Use:

Districts may designate funds for use in priority high schools for stipends to identify a school FAFSA lead to coordinate FAFSA completion efforts; stipends for school counselors, other school personnel, retired educators and/or trained community members who will support students and their families in the financial aid and college application process. Funds may also be used to support community organizations and college access programming to support this effort. Funds may not be spent on technological hardware or equipment.

Project Duration:

Upon approval – 06/30/2021*

* Districts that meet or exceed last year's FAFSA completion rate by May 1, 2021 may be eligible to apply for FY2022 funds under Fund Code 432 for up to $10,000. These FY2022 grants will run upon approval (no earlier than 7/1/2021) through 6/30/2022. Eligible entities will be notified prior to July 1st.

Program Unit:

Office of College, Career and Technical Education

Contact:

Nyal Fuentes

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3593

Date Due:

Applications will be approved on a rolling basis as received until Friday, March 5, 2021.

Required Forms:
Download Word Document
Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
 
Part II — Budget Expenditures (to be entered directly in EdGrants)
Download Word Document
Part III — Required Program Information

Additional Information:

Districts that meet or exceed last year's FAFSA completion rate by May 1, 2021 will be notified that they are eligible for FY2022 funds under FC 432 for up to $10,000.

Once notified, FY2022 grants should be entered in EdGrants with a

Download Word Document
FY2022 Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants

In EdGrants, districts are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

FY21 432 FAFSA Completion Opportunity Grant (Applicant Name)

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 Superintendent's signature and all required forms. 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, Information and Trainings.

Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users 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.


Last Updated: February 12, 2021

 
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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