Title VII Programs - Formula Grant Guidlines
Purpose:
The purpose of the formula grant is to meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. The formula grant provides support to local educational agencies (LEAs) in their efforts to reform elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students. Programs are to be based on challenging state content and student performance standards used for all students, and are designed to assist Indian students to meet those standards.
Eligible applicants include:
- LEAs;
- Elementary and secondary schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
- Indian tribes if the LEA has not established a parent committee and the tribe represents at least one-half of the eligible Indian students served by the LEA.
For an LEA to be eligible, a minimum of 10 Indian children must be enrolled in the applicant’s schools or constitute at least 25 percent of the total enrollment, except for schools in Alaska, California and Oklahoma, or any school located on a reservation or in proximity to a reservation.
Types of Project Activities:
- Integrated educational services in combination with other programs that meet the needs of Indian children and their families
- School-to-work transition services that enable Indian students to participate in programs such as programs supported by tech-prep, mentoring, and apprenticeship.
- Enrichmental programs that focus on problem-solving and cognitive skill development and directly support the attainment of challenging State content standards and State performance standards.
- Early childhood and family programs that emphasize school readiness.
- Activities to educate individuals concerning substance abuse and to prevent substance abuse.
- Culturally related activities that support the program described in the LEA's application.
- The acquisition of equipment, but only if the acquisition of the equipment is essential to meet the purpose of the program.
Student Eligibility Requirements:
The legislation defines "Indian" to mean an individual who is.. "A member of an Indian tribe or band, as membership is defined by the tribe or band, including--
- Any tribe or band terminated since 1940; and
- Any tribe or band recognized by the State in which the tribe or band resides;
- A descendant, in the first or second degree, or an individual described above;
- Considered by the Secretary of Interior to be an Indian for any purpose;
- An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or
- A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as was in effect October 19, 1994".
The grant becomes available in January. For more information visit the Office of Indian Education web site.
