ALN 84.031T Application for Grants: American Indian Tribally Control

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20202

Fiscal Year 2024

APPLICATION FOR GRANTS

AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBALLY CONTROLLED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM

ALN 84.031T

CLOSING DATE: TBD, 2024

OMB No. 1840-0817

Expiration Date XX/XX/XXXX

Paperwork Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number.  The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1840-0817.  Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 12 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.  The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain benefit (Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended).  If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this individual collection, or if you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual form, application or survey, please contact Everardo Gil-Melgoza at [email protected].

Privacy Notice

The personally identifiable information (PII) requested on this form is collected under Section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The primary purpose for providing the requested PII on this form is to allow for the U.S. Department of Education (Department) to contact you, as needed, in response to the application provided by your institution. The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested PII may delay communication or approval of the application submitted by your institution. While your information will not be disclosed outside of the Department, there may be circumstances where information may be shared with a third party, such as a Freedom of Information Act request, court orders or subpoena, or if a breach or security incident would occur affecting the system, etc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dear Applicant Letter 1

Competition Highlights 2

Overview of Program 3-5

Statute 6-7

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs 8

Performance Indicators 9-10

Instructions for Completing/Transmitting the Application 11-12

Required Information Form 13

Profile Data Collection Form (Profile Form) 14-15

Application Checklist 16

Instructions for Standard Forms 17

Standard Forms and Certifications

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

Department of Education Supplemental Form for SF 424

Form and Instructions - Budget Information, Non-Construction Programs (ED 524)

Certification Regarding Lobbying (Grants.gov)

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL)

General Education Provision Act (GEPA) – Section 427

DEAR APPLICANT LETTER

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in applying for a grant under the Title III, Part A, American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCU) program (ALN# 84.031T), authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The TCCU program provides grants and assistance to TCCUs to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve American Indians. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the Title III, Part A, TCCU program received $XX in discretionary funding.

In this application package, you will find all of the information and forms necessary to complete your application for a new grant award in FY 2024. Please read the directions carefully. In addition to other required forms, each applicant is required to provide a TCCU Program Profile Form (data on the number of credit hours of enrolled Indian students). Five-year development grants will be funded on the basis of a program formula. The Program Profile Form is of vital importance so that we may collect your institution’s data under the TCCU Program. In the Department of Education’s (Department) attempt to ensure consistency in the TCCU institutional data that you are required to submit, it is of the utmost importance that these data are verifiable. The Program Profile data submitted must cover academic year 2023-2024 for the total number of credit hours for Indian students. The deadline for submission of the Program Profile Form is TBD.

The receipt of your institution’s data by the deadline is necessary because decisions about each institution’s award is dependent on the information received from all participating institutions. No single award can be calculated until all eligible institutions have responded. The application information required for the TCCU Program must be e-mailed to Everardo Gil-Melgoza at [email protected]

by 4:30 PM EDT on TBD.

Sincerely,

James E. Laws, Jr., Ed.D.

Director

Strengthening Institutions Division

COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS

1. Each Tribally Controlled College or University (TCCU) seeking to be included in the formula funding for a new grant must have been determined eligible for the program. Section 316(d)(1) of the HEA states that, “To be eligible to receive assistance under this section, a Tribal College or University shall be an eligible institution under section 312(b).” Section 312(b) is the requirements for designation as an eligible institution.

2. Each TCCU must complete and submit the Profile Data Collection Form, a one Page Abstract, Budget Narrative, Project Narrative, Required Information Form, Assurances, and Certification Forms. TCCUs must submit the Profile Data Collection Form every year in order to receive annual funding. The other aforementioned documents only need to be submitted for a new grant and are not needed for non-competitive continuation awards.

3. Each eligible TCCU that submits relevant Indian Student credit hours data will be included in the formula run.

4. Appropriated funds will be distributed among the eligible Tribal Colleges and Universities on a pro rata basis based on the respective Indian student counts (as defined in section 2(a) of the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 (a))) of the Tribal Colleges and Universities. No grant may be less than $500,000.

5. Construction is now an allowable activity within the development grant.

6. Applicants are asked to carefully read question #4 on the Profile Data Collection Form and, if applicable, to check the box or place an X next to the box certifying that they will comply with the statutory requirements and program assurances regarding endowments cited in the program regulations.

7. The application package must be e-mailed to Everardo Gil-Melgoza at [email protected] no later than 4:30 PM EDT on TBD.

8. Please note that you must submit your student data by dates specified by the Department. Late formula data will not be accepted. The Department is required to enforce the established deadline to ensure fairness to all applicants.

THE AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBALLY CONTROLLED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM

AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION

The TCCU Program is authorized under Title III, Part A, Section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

APPLICABLE REQULATIONS

Education Department Administrative General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), Parts 74, 75, 77, 79 and 80.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Program is to provide grants and related assistance to Indian Tribal Colleges and Universities to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Indian students.

ELIGIBILITY

Tribal College or University

AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES

Grant funds may be used for the following activities;

(1) Faculty exchanges, faculty fellowships, and faculty development that provide faculty with the skills and knowledge needed to—

(i) Develop academic support services, including advising and mentoring students;

(ii) Develop academic programs or methodology, including computer-assisted instruction, that strengthen the academic quality of the institution; or

(iii) Acquire terminal degrees that are required to obtain or retain accreditation of an academic program or department;

(2) Funds and administrative management that will improve the institution's ability to—

(i) Manage financial resources in an efficient and effective manner; and

(ii) Collect, access, and use information about the institution's operations for improved decision making;

(3) Developing and improving academic programs that enable the institution to—

(i) Develop new academic programs or new program options that show promise for increased student enrollment;

(ii) Provide new technology or methodology to increase student success and retention or to retain accreditation; or

(iii) Improve curriculum or methodology for existing academic programs to stabilize or increase student enrollment;

(4) Acquiring equipment for use in strengthening management and academic programs to achieve objectives such as those described in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section;

(5) Establishing or increasing the joint use of facilities such as libraries and laboratories to—

(i) Eliminate the distance and high cost associated with providing academic programs and academic support; or

(ii) Provide clinical experience that is part of an approved academic program at off-campus locations;

(6) Develop or improve student services to provide—

(i) Deliver new or improved methods to student services, including counseling, tutoring, and instruction in basic skills; or

(ii) Improve strategies to train student services personnel;

(7) Payment of any portion of the salary of a dean, with proper justification, to fill a position under the project such as project coordinator or activity director. For purposes of this paragraph, proper justification includes evidence that the position entitled “Dean” is not one that has college-wide administrative authority and responsibility;

(8) Purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes;

(9) Construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other instructional facilities, including the integration of computer technology into institutional facilities to create smart buildings;

(10) Establishing or improving a development office to strengthen or improve contributions from alumni and the private sector;

(11) Establishing or improving an endowment fund, provided a grantee uses no more than 20 percent of its grant funds for this purpose and at least matches those grant funds with non-Federal funds;

(12) Creating or improving facilities for Internet or other distance learning academic instruction capabilities, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services;

(13) For grants authorized under section 316 of the HEA to tribal colleges or universities—

(i) Purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes;

(ii) Construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classroom, library, laboratory, and other instructional facilities, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services;

(iii) Support of faculty exchanges, faculty development, and faculty fellowships to assist in attaining advanced degrees in their field of instruction;

(iv) Curriculum development and academic instruction;

(v) Purchase of library books, periodicals, microfilm, and other educational materials, including telecommunications program materials;

(vi) Funds and administrative management, and acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management;

(vii) Joint use of facilities such as laboratories and libraries; and

(viii) Academic tutoring and counseling programs and student support services designed to improve academic services;

(ix) Academic instruction in disciplines in which Indians are underrepresented;

(x) Establishing or improving a development office to strengthen or improve contributions from the alumni and the private sector;

(xi) Establishing or enhancing a program of teacher education designed to qualify students to teach in elementary schools or secondary schools, with a particular emphasis on teaching Indian children and youth, that shall include, as part of such program, preparation for teacher certification;

(xii) Establishing community outreach programs that encourage Indian elementary school and secondary school students to develop the academic skills and the interest to pursue postsecondary education; and

(xiii) Establishing or improving an endowment fund, provided a grantee uses no more than 20 percent of its grant funds for this purpose and at least matches those grant funds with non-Federal funds.

PROGRAM STATUTE

Sec. 316 AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBALLY CONTROLLED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED. -- The Secretary shall provide grants and related assistance to Indian Tribal Colleges and Universities to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Indian students.

(b) DEFINITIONS. – In this section:

(1) INDIAN. -- The term “Indian” has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978.

(2) INDIAN TRIBE. -- The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978.

(3) TRIBAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. -- The term “Tribal College or University” has the meaning give the term “tribally controlled college or university” in section 2 of the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978, and includes an institution listed in the Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994.

(4) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.--The term “institution of higher education” means an institution of higher education as defined in section 101(a), except that paragraph (2) of such section shall not apply.

(c) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.--

(1) IN GENERAL. --Grants awarded under this section shall be used by Tribal Colleges or Universities to assist such institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out activities to improve and expand such institutions’ capacity to serve Indian students.

(2) EXAMPLES OF AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.--The activities described in paragraph (1) may include--

(A) purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes;

(B) construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other instructional facilities, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services;

(C) support of faculty exchanges, faculty development, and faculty fellowships to assist in attaining advanced degrees in the faculty’s field of instruction;

(D) academic instruction in disciplines in which Indians are underrepresented;

(E) purchase of library books, periodicals, and other educational materials, including telecommunications program material;

(F) tutoring, counseling, and student service programs designed to improve academic success;

(G) funds management, administrative management, and acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management;

(H) joint use of facilities, such as laboratories and libraries;

(I) establishing or improving a development office to strengthen or improve contributions from alumni and the private sector;

(J) establishing or enhancing a program of teacher education designed to qualify students to teach in elementary schools or secondary schools, with a particular emphasis on teaching Indian children and youth, that shall include, as part of such program, preparation for teacher certification;

(K) establishing community outreach programs that encourage Indian elementary school and secondary school students to develop the academic skills and the interest to pursue postsecondary education; and

(L) other activities proposed in the application submitted pursuant to subsection (d) that--

(i) contribute to carrying out the activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (K); and (ii) are approved by the Secretary as part of the review and acceptance of such application.

(3) ENDOWMENT FUND.--

(A) IN GENERAL.-- A Tribal College or University may use not more than 20 percent of the grant funds provided under this section to establish or increase an endowment fund at the institution.

(B) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.-- In order to be eligible to use grant funds in accordance with subparagraph (A), the Tribal College or University shall provide matching funds, in an amount equal to the Federal funds used in accordance with subparagraph (A), for the establishment or increase of the endowment fund.

(C) COMPARABILITY. -- The provisions of part C regarding the establishment or increase of an endowment fund, that the Secretary determines are not inconsistent with this paragraph, shall apply to funds used under subparagraph (A).

(d) APPLICATION PROCESS--

(1) INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY.--To be eligible to receive assistance under this section, a Tribal College or University shall be an eligible institution under section 312(b).

(2) APPLICATION.-- Any Tribal College or University desiring to receive assistance under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, and in such manner, as the Secretary may by regulation reasonably require. Each such application shall include—

(A) a 5-year plan for improving the assistance provided by the Tribal College or University to Indian students, increasing the rates at which Indian secondary school students enroll in higher education, and increasing overall postsecondary retention rates for Indian students; and

(B) such enrollment data and other information and assurances as the Secretary may require to demonstrate compliance with paragraph (1).

(3) SPECIAL RULE.-- For the purposes of this part, no Tribal College or University that is eligible for and receives funds under this section may concurrently receive other funds under this part or part B.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs was issued to foster an intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.

Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process under Executive Order 12372. A listing of the Single Point of Contact for each State may be viewed at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Department of Education has prepared a strategic plan for 2022-2026. This plan reflects the Department’s priorities and integrates them with its mission and program authorities, and describes how the Department will work to improve education for all children and adults in the U.S. The Department’s goals, as listed in the plan, are:

Goal 1: Promote equity in student access to educational resources, opportunities, and inclusive environments.

Goal 2: Support a diverse and talented educator workforce and professional growth to strengthen student learning.

Goal 3: Meet students’ social, emotional, and academic needs.

Goal 4: Increase postsecondary value by focusing on equity-conscious strategies to address access to high-quality institutions, affordability, completion, post-enrollment success, and support for inclusive institutions.

Goal 5: Enhance the Department’s internal capacity to optimize the delivery of its mission.

What are the performance indicators for the American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCU) Program?

The specific performance indicators for TCCU are as follows:

1. The number of full-time degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled at TCCU institutions. Note that this is a long-term measure, which has been used periodically to gauge performance since FY 2009.

2. The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students at 4-year TCCU institutions who were in their first year of postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are enrolled in the current year at the same TCCU institution.

3. The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students at 2-year TCCU institutions who were in their first year of postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are enrolled in the current year at the same TCCU institution.

4. The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at 4-year TCCU institutions graduating within six years of enrollment.

5. The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at 2-year TCCU institutions who graduate within three years of enrollment.

6. The cost per successful program outcome: federal cost per undergraduate and graduate degree at TCCU institutions.

How does the Department of Education determine whether performance goals have been met?

An applicant that receives a grant award will be required to submit annual performance reports and a final report as a condition of the award. The reports will document the extent to which project goals and objectives have been met. Data submitted annually by the institution to the Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) will document the extent to which program goals and objectives are met.

The most recent version of a currently approved Annual Performance Report can be viewed at https://hepis.ed.gov/assets/pdf/IS_APR_2020_blank_form.pdf.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING AND TRANSMITTING THE APPLICATION

1. Project Abstract

Applicants are required to submit a one page single-spaced Project Abstract.

Please include in the Project Abstract the name of the institution, city, and purpose. Do not use abbreviations or signs (e.g., percentage).

2. Required Information on TCCU – attached

3. Profile Data Collection Form (Profile Form) – attached

Applicants are required to answer questions 1-5. This information is used to profile each applicant. It also addresses endowment funding, dual submission certification, cooperative arrangements, and records the certifying data on each institution.

4. Budget Narrative

Prepare a separate, detailed budget narrative for each proposed activity. Demonstrate and justify that all costs are reasonable in today’s market and are necessary to accomplish your activity objectives. Please pay particular attention in your justification to those (per item) costs exceeding $25,000, excluding salaries and fringe benefits. For each activity, provide itemized costs and a narrative justification to support your request for:

• Personnel

• Fringe Benefits

• Travel

• Equipment

• Supplies

• Contractual

• Construction

• Other

• Total

*NOTE: The Title III, Part A, TCCU Program, ALN 84.031T does not reimburse grantees for indirect costs they incur in carrying out a project funded under this program. Therefore, applicants should not show any dollar amounts for indirect costs on either line 10 of the application budget form (ED 524) or in their budget narrative. Applicants should also be aware that un-reimbursed indirect costs under grants of this program may not be charged as direct cost items in the same award, used to satisfy matching or cost-sharing requirements, or charged to another Federal award.

5. Project Narrative

Provide description of activities to be funded. (limited to ten pages)

Review the program regulations (34 CFR 607.10 and 607.30) for guidance on which activities and costs are allowable. For example, you may not use your grant funds to:

- Recruit students;

- Carry out activities that are operational rather than developmental;

- Carry out student activities such as entertainment, cultural or social enrichment programs, student publications, social clubs or associations;

- Pay for organized fund raising;

- Cover indirect costs.

6. Required Standard Forms and Certifications

• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

• Department of Education Supplemental Information Form for SF 424

• Form and Instructions - Budget Information, Non-Construction Programs (ED 524)

• Certification Regarding Lobbying (Grants.gov)

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activity (SF LLL)

• General Education Provision Act (GEPA) – Section 427

The application information required for the TCCU Program data collection must be e-mailed to the following address: [email protected].

REQUIRED INFORMATION ON TCCU

Award Number P031T___________________________________________________

Project Director’s Name_________________________________________________

Project Director’s Telephone_____________________________________________

Project Director’s E-mail_________________________________________________

Level of Effort (at least 25%)______________________________________________

(How much time will project director devote to this grant?)

President’s Name_______________________________________________________

President’s Telephone Number____________________________________________

President’s E-mail Address________________________________________________

84.031T Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Program Profile Data Collection Form (Profile Form)

DO NOT MODIFY OR AMEND THESE PAGES.

INSTRUCTIONS: ALL applicants must complete these pages.

TCCU OPE ID #_____________

1. INSTITUTION (Legal Name):

_____________________________________________________________________

2. Are you applying as a Branch Campus? _____YES _____NO

3. ADDRESS (Applicants must indicate the address where the project will be located):

Project Address: ________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________State: ______Zip: _____________

4. ENDOWMENT FUND ASSURANCE:

 By checking this box (or placing an “X” beside it), an applicant certifies that the institution of higher education proposes to use up to twenty percent (20%) of the TCCU grant award, made under the authority of Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, to establish or increase the institution’s endowment fund. The institution agrees to abide by the Department of Education’s regulations governing the Endowment Challenge Grant Program, 34 CFR Part 628, the program statute, and the program regulations, 34 CFR Part 607. The institution further agrees to raise the required matching funds.

5. DATA FORM FOR DETERMINING INSTITUTIONAL INDIAN STUDENT COUNT

(as defined in Section 2(a) of the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801(a)))

1. total number of credit hours for all Indian students* enrolled in your institution at the conclusion of the 3^rd week of the 2023 Fall Term =_____________

2. total credit hours for all Indian students enrolled in your institution at the conclusion of the 3^rd week of the 2024 Spring Term =_________________

3. total credit hours for all Indian students enrolled in your institution in the 2023 Summer Term preceding the 2023 Fall Term = ________________

4. in the case of an institution on a quarter system, total credit hours for all Indian students enrolled in your institution at the conclusion of the 3^rd week of the 2024 Winter Term (fill in “N/A” if your institution is on a semester system) =_________________

5. total credits earned by all Indian students during the 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Fall Term, 2024 Winter Term, or 2024 Spring Term at your institution who has not obtained a high school degree or its equivalent, if your institution has established criteria for the admission of that student on the basis of the student’s ability to benefit from the education or training offered. The admission procedures at your institution for such studies must include counseling or testing that measures the student’s aptitude to successfully complete the course in which the student has enrolled. No credits earned by the student for purposes of obtaining a high school degree or its equivalent may be counted in this total = _______________

6. total credit hours for Indian students enrolled in your institution who participated in an organized Continuing Education program under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction (as described in the criteria established by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training) during the 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Fall Term, 2024 Winter Term, or 2024 Spring Term calculated in the following manner:

• in the case of an institution on a quarter system: 1 credit hour for every 10 contact hours = __________________________

OR

• in the case of an institution on a semester system: 1 credit hour for every 15 contact hours = __________________________

SUM of CREDIT HOURS (Items a through f) = ________________________

*20 U.S.C. 1801 (a)(1) defines the term “Indian” as “a person who is a member of an Indian tribe.”

Note: Applicant should retain data used to provide information to the Department for the funding period of the grant.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Use This Checklist While Preparing Your Application Package: All items listed on this checklist are required.

• Project Abstract

• Required Information on TCCU

• Profile Data Collection Form (Profile Form)

• Budget Narrative

• Project Narrative

• Standard Forms and Certifications – Available at: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html

• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

• Department of Education Supplemental Form for SF 424

• Form and Instructions - Budget Information, Non–Construction Programs (ED 524)

• Certification Regarding Lobbying (Grants.Gov)

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL)

• General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) -- Section 427

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STANDARD FORMS

To obtain instructions for standard forms included in this application package, please visit https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.