Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


ED Simplifies Small, Rural School Grant App Process

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 12/12/19

The United States Department of Education has simplified the application method for applying for small, rural school grants in 2020, shortening the process from three hours to 30 minutes. Applying for 2020 Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) awards has been streamlined, according to the agency, in response to feedback from superintendents and others in those qualifying districts.

Among the changes, the new procedure uses a single online program to collect applicant information; previously, people had to navigate three websites.

Those school systems eligible to apply (some 2,500 nationwide) will receive email invitations with a unique link; that email will go out to school district contacts provided by state education agencies.

The email will also include "enhanced guidance" on how to choose between SRSA or the Rural and Low-income School program (RLIS). For example, the message will include award estimates for both programs. Previously, applicants had to sort out the differences themselves based on their own research.

Finally, applicants will receive confirmation emails that include a summary of responses for their school district to keep for their records as well as directions for next steps.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • education funding and graduation symbols on wooden dice

    What Is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and How Will It Work?

    The federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) is a new source of funding for education that could benefit 90% of students in states that have opted in to the program. However, some confusion and misconceptions exist surrounding details of the program, including which programs may qualify, how parents can apply for scholarships, and how public school students can benefit.

  • digital graph

    Building Genuinely Data-Informed School Districts

    Schools today generate enormous amounts of data. The difference between collecting it and using it effectively often comes down to quality, access, and context.

  • Abstract Network Connection Structure with Glowing Nodes and Lines on Dark Background

    Rubrik, CrowdStrike Announce Expanded Integration to Speed Identity Recovery

    Cybersecurity companies Rubrik and CrowdStrike have announced an expanded identity-security integration designed to move compromised identity environments from threat detection through clean recovery with less manual intervention.

  • abstract spiral of multi colored lights

    OpenAI's New Astra Model Reaches Critical Cyber Threshold

    OpenAI has introduced GPT-6 Astra, its most capable broadly deployed model and the first system the company says has reached the "Critical" cybersecurity capability threshold under its Preparedness Framework.