Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies CFDA 84.060A | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies program (CFDA 84.060A)?

The Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies program (CFDA 84.060A) is a U.S. Department of Education grant opportunity intended to improve elementary and secondary education services for American Indian and Alaska Native students. It supports local educational agencies (and other eligible entities) in reforming and strengthening school programs that serve Indian students.

2) What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The central aim is to support comprehensive efforts that strengthen school programs serving Indian students, with an emphasis on approaches that reflect students' language and cultural needs while helping students meet the same state academic content standards and student achievement standards that apply to all students.

3) Is this funding competitive or formula-based?

This opportunity uses a formula grant structure. Awards are distributed based on eligibility and program criteria rather than a purely competitive scoring process.

4) Who is the funding intended to benefit?

The funded activities are intended to help American Indian and Alaska Native students in elementary and secondary settings, especially through programs that are both culturally responsive and instructionally effective.

5) What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include certain local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that qualify as LEAs under state law (as authorized under section 7112(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)). Eligibility also extends to certain Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded schools (under section 7113(d) of the ESEA). In addition, Indian tribes may be eligible under specific conditions described in section 7112(c) of the ESEA.

6) Can charter schools apply?

Yes, charter schools may be eligible if they qualify as local educational agencies (LEAs) under state law, as authorized under section 7112(b) of the ESEA.

7) Are Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded schools eligible?

Yes. The opportunity notes that certain BIE-funded schools may be eligible under section 7113(d) of the ESEA.

8) Can an Indian tribe apply directly?

Indian tribes may be eligible under specific conditions described in section 7112(c) of the ESEA. Applicants are directed to rely on the official Federal Register application notice for the precise eligibility rules and requirements.

9) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

10) What is the funding instrument and activity category?

The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is education.

11) How many awards were anticipated and what was the estimated total funding?

The Department anticipated a large number of awards (about 1,276), with an estimated total funding level of $104,331,000.

12) What kinds of activities or programs can this grant support?

The grant supports comprehensive programming designed to improve educational services for Indian students. The description specifically notes that funded activities can include professional development for educators working with Indian students, and that programs should address academic outcomes while also responding to cultural and linguistic context.

13) Does the program require a focus on state academic standards?

Yes. Funded activities are intended to help Indian students meet the same state academic content standards and student achievement standards that apply to all students.

14) How does the program address culture and language?

The opportunity emphasizes comprehensive efforts that reflect students' language and cultural needs. The intent is that culturally responsive approaches are integrated into program design rather than treated as an add-on, while still supporting progress toward statewide academic expectations.

15) How is the application process structured?

The application process is structured in two parts with separate release dates and deadlines: Part I and Part II. Part II is submitted through the Formula Grant EASIE system.

16) When was Part I available and what was the Part I deadline?

Part I applications were made available on January 9, 2012. The deadline for transmittal was February 10, 2012 at 11:59:59 p.m. Washington, DC time.

17) When was Part II available and what was the Part II deadline?

Part II applications (submitted through the Formula Grant EASIE system) were made available on April 2, 2012. The deadline was May 4, 2012 at 11:59:59 p.m. Washington, DC time.

18) Where is Part II submitted?

Part II is submitted through the Formula Grant EASIE system, as specified in the opportunity description.

19) Why are there two application parts?

The notice describes a two-part process with separate release dates and deadlines. It suggests an initial stage followed by a later submission of detailed program or formula-related information, which is described as a common structure for large formula programs.

20) What time zone is used for the application deadlines?

Both Part I and Part II deadlines are stated in Washington, DC time.

21) Where should applicants look for the official eligibility rules and detailed requirements?

Applicants are instructed to rely on the official Federal Register application notice for precise eligibility rules and requirements. The notice is accessible online through GPO Access.

22) Where can applicants get help with Grants.gov?

Grants.gov assistance is available through the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

23) Who can be contacted for program-specific questions?

The listed contacts include Joyce Mays (Management Analyst, 202-245-6122, joyce.mays@ed.gov) and Bernard Garcia (Program Manager, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E307, Washington, DC 20202, 202-260-1454).

24) What should applicants do if they have difficulty accessing the full announcement?

The notice indicates that for program-specific questions or difficulty accessing the full announcement, applicants may contact Joyce Mays or Bernard Garcia using the contact information provided in the announcement.