General Information s28

GENERAL INFORMATION

AND

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications (original and three copies) must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Monday,

January 3, 2011

MAIL TO: HAND DELIVER TO:

Mrs. Sherry A. Key, Director
Career and Technical Education
ATTN: Ms. Margaret Smith
Alabama Department of Education
P. O. Box 302101
Montgomery, AL 36130-2101 / Mrs. Sherry A. Key, Director
Career and Technical Education
Alabama Department of Education
Lurleen B. Wallace Building
2nd Floor, Room 2012
501 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104

NOTE: All Federal Express mail should be delivered to:

Mrs. Sherry A. Key, Director

Career and Technical Education

ATTN: Ms. Margaret Smith

Alabama Department of Education

50 North Ripley Street

Montgomery, Alabama 36104

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Grant Overview 3

Introduction 4

Application Instructions 4

Application Format 4

Application Submission 5

Site Visits 5

Appendices

Appendix A: Request for Proposals

Appendix B: Budget

Appendix C: Assurances

Appendix D: Logic Template/Management Plan

Appendix E: Reader’s Rubric

OPENING DOORS

COLLEGE ACCESS CHALLENGE GRANT MODEL PROGRAM

FY 2011

Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006,

P.L. 109-270 (CFDA 84.048)

GRANT OVERVIEW

Division/Section Alabama Department of Education

Division of Professional Services

Career and Technical Education Section

Instructions Complete all pages of the application packet and return by 4 p.m. on January 3, 2011. Mail (including Fed Ex) to: Mrs. Sherry A. Key, Director, Career and Technical Education, ATTN: Ms.Margaret Smith, P.O.Box302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101 (for Federal Express: 50 North Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104) or hand deliver to: Mrs.SherryA. Key, Director, Career and Technical Education, Lurleen B. Wallace Building, 2nd Floor, Room 2012, 501 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104. No faxed copies will be accepted. Submit original and three copies.

Funding Purpose To provide funding for planning and implementation of activities directly related to research, planning, and implementation of a one-day or one half-day program to provide financial aid information to students, parents, and educators leading to the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by members of underrepresented student population as defined in the Alabama College Access Challenge Grant. Provision for the opportunity to complete the online FAFSA must be a part of the program.

Funding Priorities Proposals that document strong partnerships for higher education/postsecondary institutions and local education agencies (LEA). This partnership must represent the entire LEA, not individual schools or geographical areas within an LEA. More than one higher education/postsecondary institution may partner for the activity.

Eligible Applicants All higher education/postsecondary institutions that are currently in compliance with federal and state regulations. Grantees who received $50,000 award in 2010 are only eligible to apply for a $10,000 Sustainability Grant.

Type of Award Competitive

Type of Proposal Planning and Implementation

Funding A maximum of twenty-four (24) grants up to $30,000 will be available for implementation. A maximum of thirteen (13) grants up to $10,000 will be available for grantees who received $50,000 in 2010.

Funding Period January 15, 2011, through June 1, 2011

Date of Award Funds are available for obligation upon receipt of award letter through June 1, 2011.

Technical Assistance Staff from the Alabama Department of Education, Career and Technical Education Section, will be available for technical assistance during the planning and implementation process. For additional information, contact Ms. Margaret Smith at 334-353-0777 or .

Allowable Costs Sites agree to use funds to pay for instructional materials, supplies, printing, professional development, and travel. Salaries may not be paid from grant funds. Only equipment that can be linked directly to the purpose of the College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) may be purchased with grant funds.

Proposal Due Date Proposals must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2011.

II. INTRODUCTION

The Alabama College Access Challenge Grant has two primary goals: (1) To significantly increase the percentage of Alabama’s qualified, underrepresented students that complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); enroll in college; and receive a certificate, credential, or degree annually. (2) To improve the capacity of Alabama’s middle school, secondary and postsecondary counselors and financial aid administrators to promote financial literacy and deliver relevant financial awareness information for transition period from secondary to higher education to qualified, underrepresented students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders. This RFP is to address both of these goals.

III. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Proposals must address all the statements in the sequence and format provided below and is based upon the proposal objectives and other information as required. A table of contents, which references the responses to the statements and appendix, must be included.

While the information requested for the application is comprehensive, the responses and descriptions should be succinct.

IV. APPLICATION FORMAT

A. Application

The two-page application must appear as the cover for the proposal. Appendix A

B. Summary/Abstract

Include no more than a two-page summary/abstract of the proposed program that briefly describes the demographics of the geographic areas to be served, how the grant will provide opportunities for underrepresented students, and how data of participation will be collected and validated. Identify the overall goals related to the needs assessment and provide specific, measurable objectives toreachthesegoals.

C. Proposal Narrative

Provide a written description of how the proposal will address each of the components listed below. Responses to these items need to be limited to a total of 10 pages. All narrative responses must be double-spaced and typed in 12-point font with minimum 1-inch margins.

1. Description and Documentation of Need

Provide a detailed description of the program; include any valid and reliable data that supports the identified needs of this program.

2. Goals/Measurable Objectives

Identify the overall goals related to the needs assessment and specific, measurable objectives to reach these goals.

3. Support, Involvement, and Program Sustainability

Identify meaningful ways your institution and the LEAs included in the RFP, local business, and various community resources will assist with the program and how they will ensure sustainability.

4. Professional Development

Describe the professional development schedule including content and time line for the high-quality professional development activities that will assist in the successful implementation of this proposal.

5. Implementation of Program Activities

In chronological order, provide a detailed time line of activities for the program. Use of logic template/management plan should be used for this purpose. Timelines for implementation of activities must be followed within the set guidelines to ensure that all activities are effective and completed by the deadline date of June 1, 2011. All site coordinators must provide written documentation of all activities and participants. Please include samples of newspaper articles or clippings, scripts from radio announcements, brochures, pamphlets, trainer materials, attendance sheets, TV broadcasts, pictures, flash drives, etc. Keep a database of participants for all activities using attendance rosters, FAFSA Web site completers, telephone logs, number enrolled in postsecondary institutions, bus tours, and all who are served through the College Access Challenge Grant Program. See Appendix D.

6. Assessment of Student Achievement

Describe how student attendance and parent attendance will be measured from the implementation of the program activities. Specifically state or indicate how students/parents will complete the online FAFSA as part of the grant program.

D. Budget and Budget Summary

Complete the proposed budget form and describe in detail each line item of the budget. The budget summary should identify the amount of funds requested for each category as well as the total. All proposed budget revisions must meet the grant guidelines and be submitted within a timely manner on the original grant application form amount of funds requested for each category as well as the total. Please note that funding for professional development is limited to activities approved by the Alabama Department of Education, Career and Technical Education Section. See Appendix B.

E. Written Commitment from School Administration

Each participating LEA administration must indicate their support of the proposed program and its potential impact on their schools with signature on Statement of Assurances. See Appendix C.

V. APPLICATION SUBMISSION

To be considered for funding, all applications submitted must adhere to the following requirements:

w Applications must address all elements of the proposal narratives.

w Applications must follow the format described in this document.

w Applications must be in 12-point font, double-spaced on one side of standard (8½″ x 11″), unruled white paper with minimum 1-inch margins.

w Applications may be stapled in the upper left-hand corner but should not be bound or placed in a binder.

w One original set of documents bearing the requested signatures, signed in blue ink, and three (3) copies of the proposal must be submitted.

w Applications may not be faxed or transmitted by email.

w Applications can be submitted by regular mail, express courier delivery, or hand delivery.

Please note that the evaluation form used to rate RFPs is provided at the end of this document to help you in evaluating your proposal before submission. See Appendix A.

MAIL TO: HAND DELIVER TO:

NOTE: All Federal Express mail should be delivered to:

Mrs. Sherry A. Key, Director

Career and Technical Education

ATTN: Ms. Margaret Smith

Alabama Department of Education

50 North Ripley Street

Montgomery, AL 36104

VI. SITE VISITS

During the 2010-2011 academic school year, all awardees will be monitored and evaluated to ensure quality and effectiveness in achieving the goals and objectives of the program activities funded through this grant. This site visit will also provide an opportunity to determine specific technical assistance needed for program success.

APPENDIX A

Request for Proposal

Alabama Department of Education Original Application

Division of Professional Services Amended Application

Career and Technical Education Section Amendment No.

Effective Date

OPENING DOORS

COLLEGE ACCESS CHALLENGE GRANT MODEL PROGRAM APPLICATION

FY 2011

Instructions: Complete all pages of the application packet and return by 4 p.m. on January 3, 2011. Mail to: Mrs. Sherry A. Key, Director, Career and Technical Education, ATTN: Ms.Margaret Smith, P.O.Box302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101 (for Federal Express: 50 North Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104) or hand deliver to: Mrs.SherryA. Key, Director, Career and Technical Education, Lurleen B. Wallace Building, 2nd Floor, Room 2012, 501 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104. No faxed copies will be accepted. Submit original and three copies.

College/University:

Grant Administrator / Site Coordinator
Name: / Name:
Address: / Address:
Telephone: / Telephone:
Fax: / Fax:
E-mail: / E-mail:

Purpose: To provide funding for planning and implementation of activities directly related to research, planning, and implementation of a one-day or one half-day program to provide financial aid information to students, parents, and educators leading to the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by members of underrepresented student population focusing on the class of 2011 as defined in the Alabama College Access Challenge Grant. Provision for the opportunity to complete the online FAFSA must be a part of the program.

A maximum of twenty-four (24) grants of up to $30,000 will be available for the activities included in a grant for implementation of a program that provides opportunities for underrepresented students to participate in the completion of the FAFSA. A maximum of thirteen (13) grants up to $10,000 will be available for grantees who received $50,000 in 2010. Activities must be held during the month of February 2011.

Date of the Award: Funds are available for obligation from January 15, 2011, through June 1, 2011.

Allowable Costs: Sites agree to use funds to pay for instructional materials, supplies, printing, professional development, substitutes, stipends, and travel.

Reason for Amendment: ______

CERTIFICATION:

I have reviewed the attached application/budget. The proposed expenditures appear to be coded properly and will be incorporated into the LEA systemwide budget.

______

Chief School Financial Officer Date

I certify that I am authorized by the governing board of the above-named school system to submit this application or amendment; that all assurances, certifications, and disclosures submitted with the Program Application and Accountability Plans for Career and Technical Education will be observed; that the program will be implemented as described; and that the governing board is responsible for complying with all state and federal requirements, including the resolution of any audit exceptions.

______

President’s Original Signature Date

FOR SDE USE ONLY

Approved: ______

Joseph B. Morton, State Superintendent of Education

Alabama Department of Education Original Application

Division of Professional Services Amended Application

Career and Technical Education Section Amendment No.

Effective Date

OPENING DOORS

COLLEGE ACCESS CHALLENGE GRANT MODEL PROGRAM

FY 2011

Statements of Agreement

Grant recipients agree to:

1. Serve as a demonstration site for Best Practices.

2. Serve as a presenter of Best Practices in workshops sponsored and/or supported by the Alabama Department of Education.

3. Develop and share exemplary resource materials with visiting LEAs and the Alabama Department of Education to assist sites in implementing a program that provides opportunities for underrepresented students to complete high school and apply for financial aid.

4. Participate in baseline data to increase the number of underrepresented students within the post secondary/higher education service area that complete the FAFSA.

5. Participate in Alabama Department of Education monitoring activities before June 1, 2011.

6. Participate in Alabama Department of Education annual performance reports that document progress towards expected program objectives before June 1, 2011.

7. Develop a plan for project sustainability funded by the institution.

______

President (Signature) Financial Aid Officer (Signature) Date

Superintendent
Name:
LEA:
Signature

Each LEA included in the RFP must be listed below. Their signature will indicate acceptance of the Statements of Agreement and support for the activities of the RFP.