FY2023: High School Equivalency Test Centers

Fund Code: 850

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, special needs, and technology upgrades.

Priorities:

The priorities for use of these funds must be in the areas of test center materials, technology, and staffing (including special needs) and COVID related PPE for approved HSE Test Centers only.

Eligibility:

Only approved HSE Test Centers are eligible to apply. Refer to Attachment 1 that lists approved HSE Test Centers and funding amounts available for each center

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Approximately $243,901 is available for approved HSE Test Centers only

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.

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 Special Accommodation needs
• COVID Related PPE

Project Duration:

Upon approval (no earlier than 7/1/2022) – 6/30/2023

Program Unit:

ACLS HSE Unit

Contact:

Michael Farma

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3836

Date Due:

Friday, June 3, 2022

Applications for grant recipients that are state agencies (use the state's accounting system MMARS) are encouraged to submit applications no later than Friday, May 13, 2022 to allow sufficient time to process ISA's.

Required Forms:

• Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants) Note: Part I signatures of CEO/Superintendent/Executive Director must be scanned uploads of wet signatures, we cannot take electronic signatures at this time.

• Part II — Budget Details entered directly into EdGrants

• Part III — Required Program Information — Letter of Assurance

• Only for entities who require ISAs
  • FY2023: ISA Crosswalk Federal & State — State Colleges and Universities
  • FY2023: ISA Crosswalk Federal & State — State Agencies & Correctional Facilities

State Agencies with ISAs: Waiver filed with ANF to reduce the amount of indirect charged to these grant funds in MMARS. It is the responsibility of the applying entity that is a state agency to file an indirect waiver request with ANF and send a copy of the approved request to CTR. DESE cannot request indirect waivers on behalf of state agencies. (See Fund Use section for more info; See Additional Information for Colleges/State Agencies section for the ANF Waiver Request Form)

Additional Information:

• Attachment 1: High School Equivalency Test Centers and Amounts

• Attachment 2: Fund Code 850 Test Volume and Allocation Report

• Info on Interdepartmental Services Agreements (ISAs)

All grants issued to state colleges/universities or state agencies must have an executed ISA.

Additional Information for Colleges/State Agencies:

The information below is intended for state entities that require ISAs as part of their grant award process. Not intended for Private or Community Based Organizations.

1. ISA process timeline

2. MA Expenditure Classification Handbook

3. MA Comptroller's Office Fringe Information

4. ISA and EdGrants Amendment Requirements

5. Process for waiving indirect costs (state agencies only)

6. Indirect Waiver Request form (state agencies only)

7. Section 5D: Indirect and fringe benefit costs expended from the General Fund: recovery by the comptroller (state agencies only)

8. Federal Grants Cost Allocation

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:

• FY23 FC 850 (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 (Part I signatures must be scanned uploads of wet signatures, we cannot take digital signatures where the name is typed in with script font) / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature as well as Schedule A form, if applicable to your district. 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 district 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.

Last Updated: May 3, 2022