Apply by October 11: Federal College Completion Fund Seeking Projects

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released a notice inviting applications for its initial “Postsecondary Success Program,” investments in college completion efforts. The Postsecondary Success Program is a first-of-its-kind, multi-year, proof-of-concept providing institutions of higher education an opportunity to apply for federal funding to advance student success and completion on their campuses. Applications are due October 11, 2022.

There is approximately $5 million available to fund between five and eight new two-year awards of between $600,000 to $1 million. In the initial pilot, eligible institutions include those that are currently eligible for ED funding through its Title III and V programs—this includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and colleges eligible for the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). (For current eligibility, see the 2022 Title III and V program eligibility matrix here.) All institutions of higher education are eligible to apply as a consortium, however, so long as the lead applicant is eligible to participate in Title III or V programs.

The federal register notice includes a significant amount of explanatory detail if your institution is interested in applying, including requirements about levels of evidence; requirement to submit a logic model (ED suggests this as a resource); and application instructions. The application itself is available at grants.gov; you will need to register for an account to access the digital application.

While the program funding is currently very modest, Congress has proposed significant increases to program funding for next year. Appropriators in the House of Representatives have proposed $200 million, while appropriators in the Senate have suggested $75 million. APLU will continue to advocate for additional funding to increase the number of funded projects in the future.