The annual application for the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) grant will open February to more than 4,000 local educational agencies nationwide.

About 200 schools and cooperatives in Minnesota typically can have access to these funds focused on supporting initiatives to improve student academic achievement. LEAs are entitled to funds if they meet basic eligibility and application requirements.

Last year, the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) reduced the application completion time, now estimated at 30 minutes, based on grantee feedback. Some information also will auto-populate to make it easier to complete.

Each local educational agency (LEA) eligible to apply will receive an email, directed to the LEA’s authorized representative listed here. To ensure the appropriate LEA staff member receives the application link, the authorized representative can be changed by emailing REAP@ed.gov or the link can be forwarded to another staff member.

Uses of Funds

Grantees may use SRSA funds to carry out activities authorized under any of the following federal programs:

  • Title I-A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies)Example: A school district develops an entrepreneurial education program to supplement its civics curriculum.
  • Title II-A (Supporting Effective Instruction)Example: A school district pays the stipend for a prospective teacher to work alongside an effective teacher, who is the teacher of record, for a full academic year.
  • Title III (Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students)Example: A school district offers an after-school enrichment program for English learners.
  • Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment)Example: A school district purchases a bully prevention program for all schools.
  • Title IV-B (21st Century Community Learning Centers)Example: A school district purchases instruments to supplement schools’ band and orchestra programs.