Eligibility & Grantee Information

Grantee Information

While only SEAs may apply and directly receive funds from the Department of Education, SEAs are, in turn, required to make formula subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs).

To receive funds under ESEA formula grant programs, States are required, once per Congressional authorization of the statute, to submit program plans. Each program plan must address program requirements specified in the statute.  Section 8303 of the ESEA, however, permits the Department to simplify application requirements and reduce the burden on States by establishing procedures for States to submit a single Consolidated State Plan that addresses multiple programs.

Each State submitted a Consolidated State Plan in 2017 in order to receive funds under nine formula Grant programs, including EHCY.  Copies of all current State plans, as well as information about the State plan process, may be found at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/school-support-and-accountability/essa-consolidated-state-plans/.

Distribution of formula grant funds to participating States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico under the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program is proportionate to the distribution of funds under Section 1122 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). The minimum grant that may be awarded to a State educational agency (SEA) in any given fiscal year is $150,000. The Bureau of Indian Affairs receives funds under a memorandum of agreement with the Department to serve children and youth experiencing homelessness and, attending schools administered by the Bureau. State educational agency must distribute not less than 75 percent of their allocation in subgrants to local educational agencies. States funded at the minimum level must distribute not less than 50 percent in subgrants to local educational agencies. States may reserve their remaining funds for State-level activities.