Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Office of Indian Education (OIE) Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies CFDA Number 84.060A | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies program?

The Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies program (CFDA 84.060A) is a U.S. Department of Education formula grant administered through the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) and the Office of Indian Education (OIE). It is intended to help improve elementary and secondary education programs that serve American Indian and Alaska Native students.

2) What is the main purpose of this grant?

The core purpose is to support local efforts to reform and strengthen school programs so that Indian students can meet the same state academic content standards and student achievement standards expected of all students, while also recognizing and responding to Indian students' language and cultural needs.

3) What kinds of activities or services can this funding support?

Based on the program description, funding supports comprehensive, locally designed programming that may include culturally and linguistically responsive instruction and services. The description also specifically notes targeted supports such as professional development for teachers who work with Indian students.

4) Who administers this program at the federal level?

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education through OESE and OIE.

5) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to categories established in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The description indicates eligible applicants include:

• Certain local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that qualify as LEAs under state law (ESEA section 7112(b))
• Certain schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) within the U.S. Department of the Interior (referenced in ESEA section 7113(d))
• Indian tribes under certain conditions described in ESEA section 7112(c)

6) Are charter schools allowed to apply?

Yes, charter schools may be eligible if they qualify as LEAs under state law, as addressed in ESEA section 7112(b).

7) Are Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools included as eligible applicants?

The opportunity description indicates that certain schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) are recognized for eligibility, referenced in ESEA section 7113(d).

8) Can an Indian tribe apply?

The description indicates Indian tribes may be eligible under certain conditions described in ESEA section 7112(c). Specific conditions are referenced as being in the official application notice.

9) Is this a competitive grant?

The listing describes it as a formula grant opportunity and notes it is a mandatory grant program, which reflects formula-based funding rather than a typical discretionary, competitive competition.

10) Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

No. The opportunity explicitly notes there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

11) What is the role of parents and the community in the application?

The program requires local planning and meaningful community involvement. Applicants must develop the project in open consultation with parents and teachers of Indian students, and when appropriate, with secondary school Indian students as well.

12) Are public hearings required as part of consultation?

Yes. The notice highlights that consultation should include public hearings designed to give the community a full opportunity to understand the proposed program and to offer recommendations.

13) Is a parent committee required?

Yes. The program requires formal involvement of a parent committee selected according to section 7114(c)(4) of the ESEA.

14) Does the parent committee have to approve the application?

Yes. The proposed application must have the written approval of the parent committee, making parent participation and oversight a required element of program design and accountability.

15) What is the section 7116 option mentioned in the description?

The program includes an option connected to section 7116 of the ESEA that can increase flexibility for recipients. If an entity submits an acceptable plan for integrating education and related services, and the Department cooperates with other relevant federal agencies, the Secretary may authorize the recipient to consolidate multiple federal formula funds that are used exclusively for Indian students.

16) What is the goal of consolidating multiple federal formula funds under section 7116?

The intent is to reduce fragmentation across programs and allow more coordinated services for Indian students, as long as the recipient follows the required planning and approval process described in the application system guidance.

17) Where do applicants submit the application?

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Formula Grant Electronic Application System for Indian Education (EASIE) at https://eden.ed.gov/Survey/.

18) How was the application structured for the FY 2013 cycle described?

For FY 2013, the notice states the application was split into two required parts with separate availability dates and deadlines (Part I and Part II).

19) What were the FY 2013 deadlines for Part I and Part II?

For the FY 2013 cycle described:

• Part I: Available January 14, 2013; deadline March 8, 2013
• Part II: Available March 29, 2013; deadline May 14, 2013

20) Do applicants have to submit both Part I and Part II to be considered for funding?

Yes. The notice states applicants had to meet both the Part I and Part II deadlines to be considered for funding. Missing either deadline meant the application would not be funded.

21) Why did the notice require two separate deadlines?

The notice explains the two-deadline requirement was intended to align with department-wide policy and help ensure that applicants meeting deadlines could receive the maximum amount of available funding.

22) What is the estimated total funding amount listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity posting lists an estimated total funding amount of $10,592,100.

23) About how many awards were expected?

The opportunity posting indicates an expected award count of about 1,300 awards, reflecting the formula-based nature of the program.

24) Should applicants rely on the public synopsis or the Federal Register notice for official requirements?

The synopsis states it is only a summary of the official Federal Register notice. Applicants are directed to rely on the Federal Register application notice for definitive requirements, including eligibility details, submission instructions, performance measures, and any priorities or program-specific compliance expectations.

25) Who can help if someone cannot access the full announcement?

The listing directs applicants to Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov FIND Systems Admin) at 202-245-6140 or julius.cotton@ed.gov for help accessing the full announcement.

26) Who should be contacted for programmatic questions about the Formula Grant program?

Programmatic questions were directed to Bernard Garcia at the U.S. Department of Education: 202-260-1454; Bernard.Garcia@ed.gov.

27) Who provides technical help with the EASIE system and uploading documentation?

For questions about the EASIE application system and uploading documentation, applicants were referred to the EDFacts Partner Support Center at 877-457-3336 (877-HLP-EDEN) or edenOIE@ed.gov.

28) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is identified as CFDA 84.060A.

29) What federal law sections are referenced in the opportunity description?

The description references multiple ESEA sections, including section 7112(b), section 7112(c), section 7113(d), section 7114(c)(4), and section 7116.