REAP FAQ
The SRSA program is designed to address the unique needs of small, rural local educational agencies (LEAs) that frequently lack the personnel and resources needed to compete effectively for federal competitive grants and receive formula grant allocations under other programs in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes. The SRSA program may help rural LEAs use Federal resources more effectively to improve the quality of instruction in order to increase student academic achievement.
An LEA is defined in section 8101(30) of the ESEA as a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State, or of or for a combination of school districts or counties that is recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary schools.
An LEA eligible for the SRSA program not only benefits from SRSA grant program funds, but also may exercise a key flexibility provision in the ESEA. Section 5211(a) of the ESEA, known as the Alternative Fund Use Authority (AFUA), gives an eligible LEA broad authority to spend funds the LEA receives under selected ESEA programs on activities authorized under several additional ESEA programs. The authority is specifically designed to give small, rural LEAs greater latitude to spend their Federal funds in ways that best address an LEA’s particular needs. Section 5211(a) explains in greater detail AFUA, including which funds are eligible for AFUA and the allowable uses of those funds. AFUA is best understood when sections 5211(a) and (c) are read together. Section 5211(c) lists the Federal program funds (referred to as “applicable funding” in the statute) an LEA may use in support of other allowable Federal program activities (referred to as “alternative uses” in section 5211(a)). Specifically, section 5211(c) permits an eligible LEA to use all or part of the formula funds the LEA receives from an SEA under: Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction); and Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment) to carry out local activities authorized under one or more of the following programs (see 5211(a)): Title I, Part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs); Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction); Title III (Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students); Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment); and Title IV, Part B (21st Century Community Learning Centers). AFUA does not authorize the transfer of funds from one program to another. Rather, it gives an LEA more options for spending its Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A formula funds. An LEA that meets the SRSA program eligibility requirements may exercise AFUA without the approval of either its SEA or the Department. However, an eligible LEA must notify its SEA each year of its intent to exercise AFUA by the notification date established by the SEA. AFUA is meant to provide additionally flexibility. An LEA may use all or a part of its formula Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A funds to carry out activities authorized under one or more of the five programs listed in section 5211(a). LEAs are strongly encouraged to consider how funds used under AFUA can support implementation and strengthening of their local education plans.
Please see the Eligibility page for an explanation of eligibility requirements and the Eligibility Spreadsheets page to find state-by-state lists of specific LEAs that are determined eligible for the Rural Education Achievement Program for the current fiscal year. LEAs should examine the list to determine if they are eligible for either SRSA or RLIS awards, eligible for both SRSA and RLIS (i.e., “dual-eligible”), or no longer eligible for SRSA or RLIS.
Being dual-eligible in the Rural Education Achievement Program describes a situation in which an LEA meets the eligibility requirements for both REAP grants: SRSA and RLIS. To see how SRSA differs from RLIS, view the SRSA-RLIS Comparison Table.
An LEA should research the requirements and provisions of both the SRSA and the RLIS programs to determine which program best meets its needs. While the Department cannot tell an LEA which program to choose, we have put together a list of factors an LEA should consider when making its decision. This information is available on the eligibility page of the SRSA website.
In order to receive SRSA funding, an eligible LEA must submit an application, which will also notify the Department of the district’s intent to participate in SRSA. If the LEA does not apply for SRSA, the Department will automatically notify the SEA that the LEA is eligible for RLIS. That LEA should follow its SEA’s application procedures for RLIS funds.
If a LEA applies for SRSA in accordance with the application submission procedures, the LEA cannot later choose to participate in RLIS for the fiscal year for which it submitted an SRSA application. However, if the LEA is a dual-eligible LEA again in future years, the LEA may choose to participate in RLIS instead of SRSA by not submitting an application to the Department for SRSA. Additionally, if a dual-eligible LEA indicates that it would like to receive an SRSA award, but the SRSA statutory funding formula results in a $0 award amount for the LEA, the Department automatically includes the district in the RLIS cohort. That district should follow its SEA’s application procedures for RLIS funds.
Only an LEA can determine if it should submit an SRSA application; however, there are certain situations where the statutory formula will result in a final award amount of $0 for an LEA. The SRSA statutory formula requires the Department to calculate both an initial award amount and a final award amount for an LEA. If the LEA’s combined allocations for Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A funds exceed the initial amount calculated for the LEA’s SRSA award ($60,000 is the initial amount maximum), the statutory formula will result in a $0 final award amount for the LEA. All of the data necessary to calculate the LEA’s initial award amount, as well as estimated award allocations, are available on the REAP Master Eligibility Spreadsheet (MES). If an LEA has a $0 initial award amount on the MES, it will not receive an SRSA application invitation email.
Yes. An eligible LEA must submit an application in accordance with the application submission procedures in order to receive an SRSA grant award. Visit the SRSA Applicant Information page to learn more.
The information used to determine SRSA and RLIS eligibility comes from several sources: State educational agencies (SEAs) provide:
- Average Daily Attendance
- Program Allocations from Title II-A
- Program Allocations from Title IV-A
- State Rural Definition
- Locale Code
- Population Density Data (from U.S. Census Bureau)
- Poverty Data
- Average Daily Attendance (ADA) Data
- Program Allocations from Title II-A
- Program Allocations from Title IV-A
- State Rural Designation
- Locale Code Data
- Population Density Data
- Poverty Data
It is not uncommon for an LEA move in and out of SRSA eligibility from year-to-year, especially if the LEA’s average daily attendance numbers are close to the 600-student limit. It is also possible that the locale code assigned to the LEA has changed. If you still have questions about your LEA’s eligibility, please send your inquiries to REAP@ed.gov.
A ratable adjustment is the amount by which grant awards are increased or decreased depending on the amount of funds Congress appropriates in any fiscal year relative to the amount necessary to award LEAs their full allocations according to the funding formula. If the amount Congress appropriates is not sufficient to provide each eligible LEA that submits an SRSA application the entire amount it would otherwise receive by formula, the Department ratably reduces the allocation for each LEA. Similarly, the Department would ratably increase LEA allocations if the amount appropriated for SRSA is greater than the amount necessary to provide each LEA with its full allocation.
Congress determines the amount of funds available for the REAP program on an annual basis. Per ESEA section 5234, the REAP appropriation from Congress is divided equally between the SRSA and the RLIS programs. The maximum amount of SRSA funds an LEA may receive in any year is $60,000. The Department calculates an SRSA for each eligible LEA according to the statutory formula described below.
- This calculation provides an estimate only; there are other variables, such as the total program appropriation and number and amounts of awards to other eligible LEAs, that will affect the final award amount.
- Not all eligible LEAs receive grant funds; the formula calculation may result in an award of $0.
- The LEA must submit an SRSA application to the Department in order to receive grant funds.
- Start with the number of students in average daily attendance and subtract 50 from that number (if negative, stop at zero)
- Multiply the remainder by $100
- Add $20,000
- If the total is above $60,000, this amount is capped at $60,000
- From the amount above, subtract the total amount of Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A funds the LEA received the preceding Federal fiscal year (i.e., for FY 2020)
An LEA that has successfully submitted an application will receive a confirmation email immediately after submitting the application. NOTE: The issuance of a confirmation email does not guarantee an application will be funded. For all LEAs that have submitted an application in accordance with application instructions, the Department will update the Master Eligibility Spreadsheet to indicate the application has been received.
Each LEA that receives an SRSA grant also receives an electronic SRSA Grant Award Notification (GAN) when the award is granted. If your LEA has not received a GAN by September 1 and you believe your LEA should receive an award, please send your inquiries to REAP@ed.gov.
Each LEA that meets the SRSA eligibility criteria and submits an application in accordance with the application submission procedures will most likely receive an SRSA award. Nevertheless, given that the statutory formula sometimes results in an award of $0, the Department cannot guarantee that each LEA that applies will receive an SRSA award.
Generally, your LEA may use its funds for any activity authorized under the following ESEA programs:
- Title I-A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies)
- Title II-A (Supporting Effective Instruction)
- Title III (Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students)
- Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment)
- Title IV-B (21st Century Community Learning Centers)
In general, when considering whether a proposed SRSA activity is supplemental, an LEA should determine whether it would have funded this activity with other Federal, State, or local funds if no SRSA funds were available. If the result of this determination is that no other Federal, State, or local funds are available to fund the proposed activity, then the LEA may be able to use SRSA funds for those activities, provided they are an allowable use of SRSA funds.
- if the activity is one that would ordinarily be covered with other Federal, State, or local (for example, in most cases, standard textbook purchases would ordinarily be covered with State or local funds);
- if the LEA previously funded the activity with other Federal, State, or local funds; or
- if the activity is State-mandated or required by Federal law (e.g., provision of certain services to English learners required by Federal civil rights laws).
Yes. All activities under the programs listed in section 5211(a) are allowable only to the extent that they are supplemental in nature.
An obligation is an order placed for property and services, contracts and sub-awards made, and similar transactions during a given period that require the grantee to pay a specified amount during the same or a future period. The timing of an obligation depends on the nature of the specific activity. The chart below, which is adapted from 34 C.F.R. § 75.707 details when an obligation occurs for various uses:
| If the Obligation is for — | The Obligation is made — |
| (a) Acquisition of real or personal property | On the date the SRSA grantee makes a binding written commitment to acquire the property |
| (b) Personal services performed by an employee of an SRSA LEA | When the services are performed |
| (c) Personal services by a contractor who is not an employee of an SRSA LEA | On the date on which the SRSA grantee makes a binding written commitment to obtain the services |
| (d) Performance of work other than personal services | On the date on which the SRSA grantee makes a binding written commitment to obtain the work |
| (e) Public utility services | When the SRSA grantee receives the services |
| (f) Travel | When the travel is taken |
| (g) Rental of real or personal property | When the SRSA grantee uses the property |
G6 (formerly G5) is the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) online platform for grant management. Creating an account, logging in, and obtaining Payee Access allows SRSA grantees to view and draw down awarded grant funds across multiple fiscal years.
In order to access SRSA grant funds in G6, an authorized user at the LEA must have Payee Access. When SRSA funds are awarded, a Grant Award Notification (GAN) is emailed to the primary and secondary contacts listed on the SRSA application. The GAN is the Department’s official notice that details the award amount, the recipient contacts, and the conditions under which the grant is awarded. The contacts listed on the GAN will not automatically have access to the grant funds in G6—every grantee LEA must separately establish Payee Access in G6 in order to access their SRSA grant funds. For a step-by-step guide for accessing SRSA funds in G6, visit our G6 Support webpage. For questions or support with G6, please contact the Department’s Office of Business Support Services helpdesk by calling 1-888-336-8930 or sending an email to obssed@servicenowservices.com.
The Department engages in monitoring activities to ensure SRSA grantees are implementing activities authorized in the SRSA statute, achieving the program’s performance objectives, and complying with other applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. In addition, the Department utilizes monitoring as a mechanism for determining the types of technical assistance needed, understanding the general context in which a grant operates, identifying exemplary practices amongst grantees, and resolving prior findings from audits or Department monitoring. In determining which grantees to monitor, the REAP program office relies on an entity risk review process based on risk factors associated with program compliance, financial requirements, and administrative requirements. The Department conducts both onsite and desk monitoring. Onsite monitoring is usually a comprehensive examination of the program to assist in improving performance. At the conclusion of onsite or desk monitoring, Department staff will issue a report identifying findings and any areas for corrective action. If corrective actions are identified, the Department will describe what actions are expected and the timeframe by which the corrective action must be resolved. An LEA typically has 30 business days to respond to the Department’s monitoring report. Depending on factors such as the severity of the finding, an LEA’s resources, and the level of difficulty associated with correcting the finding, an LEA may be asked to resolve the finding within 60 business days or to propose a plan and timeline for resolving the corrective action within another specified time frame. The Department will stay in close contact until all corrective actions are resolved.
You may contact the REAP team directly by emailing us at REAP@ed.gov or calling 202-401-0039.
Section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act requires U.S. Department of Education (Department) grantees, such as SRSA grantees, to describe the steps the grantee will take to ensure equitable access to, and participation in, the Federally-assisted program by addressing the special needs of students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries. This provision allows applicants discretion in developing the required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers that can impede equitable access or participation: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. For more information about GEPA statements, please visit our GEPA Resources webpage.
A charter school’s eligibility for the SRSA or RLIS program depends upon whether the charter school is an LEA. If a charter school is reported as an LEA by the State and meets the definition of LEA in ESEA section 8101(30), it is eligible to receive an SRSA or RLIS grant award so long as it meets the eligibility criteria for these programs. A charter school that is a public school but not an LEA is not eligible for RLIS or SRSA award. However, it may participate in the program through its LEA, provided the LEA receives either an RLIS or SRSA award.
Yes. However, such an LEA may not serve those “full virtual” schools with its REAP funds. A full virtual school is defined by NCES as a school with no physical building where students meet with each other or with teachers and all instruction is virtual. These schools are not included when determining an LEA’s REAP eligibility and award amount. The SRSA and RLIS grant programs were created to address the unique capacity and resource access challenges faced by schools and LEAs serving students who reside in rural and remote communities. Because “full virtual” schools serve students regardless of the residence of their students, they are excluded from the ADA count.
The locale code is a geographic indicator of the type of community where a school is located. There are 12 categories, ranging from “City, Large” to “Rural, Remote.” All territory in the United States is classified by locale. The Department’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) assigns locale codes to schools based on the physical location of the school. The Department uses school locale codes to determine if an LEA can be considered rural for purposes of the REAP program. The school locale codes required for SRSA program eligibility are 41, 42, and 43. The school locale codes required for RLIS program eligibility are 32, 33, 41, 42, and 43.
- Locale Code 32 – Town, Distant: Territory inside an urban cluster that is more than 10 miles and less than or equal to 35 miles from an urbanized area.
- Locale Code 33 – Town, Remote: Territory inside an urban cluster that is more than 35 miles from an urbanized area.
- Locale Code 41 – Rural, Fringe: Census-defined rural territory that is less than or equal to 5 miles from an urbanized area, as well as rural territory that is less than or equal to 2.5 miles from an urban cluster.
- Locale Code 42 – Rural, Distant: Census-defined rural territory that is more than 5 miles but less than or equal to 25 miles from an urbanized area, as well as rural territory that is more than 2.5 miles but less than or equal to 10 miles from an urban cluster.
- Locale Code 43 – Rural, Remote: Census-defined rural territory that is more than 25 miles from an urbanized area and is also more than 10 miles from an urban cluster.
The Department uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) program to determine, by LEA, the percentage of related children ages 5 through 17 who are from families with incomes below the poverty level. The Department uses the most recent poverty data available at the time it begins the annual process of determining REAP eligibility. To learn more about the U.S. Census Bureau’s SAIPE program, visit https://www.census.gov/programssurveys/saipe.html.
