Perkins Grant

The Illinois Postsecondary Perkins Local Application provides federal Postsecondary Perkins funding to Illinois community colleges under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, commonly known as Perkins V. Perkins V became Public Law 115-224 and took effect July 1, 2019, reauthorizing the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. The Illinois Community College Board administers the local application process for community colleges. The law is intended to develop the academic knowledge and technical and employability skills of secondary and postsecondary students enrolled in career and technical education programs and programs of study. Its emphasis includes local flexibility, stakeholder engagement and collaborative planning, innovation, accountability, and alignment with other education and workforce programs. The current four-year local application cycle covers fiscal years 2025 through 2028, with these guidelines governing fiscal year 2027. Each participating college must submit a complete local application identifying goals and objectives that reflect annual and long-term implementation and progress. Activities are informed by the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment, which requires colleges to examine student performance, program size, scope and quality, labor-market alignment, implementation of CTE programs of study, recruitment and development of faculty and staff, and access and equity. Colleges must use disaggregated data and stakeholder participation in the needs-assessment and continuous-improvement process. Perkins funds support required and permissive career and technical education activities. Uses include career exploration and development, professional development, preparation for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations, integration of academic skills into CTE, implementation and improvement of programs of study, work-based learning, equipment and instructional materials, credential examinations, dual or concurrent enrollment opportunities, recruitment and retention of CTE personnel, student organizations, and activities addressing access and success for special populations. Direct student support permitted by the grant is categorized under the Grant Exclusive portion of the Uniform Budget beginning in fiscal year 2027. International travel is unallowable. General Administration, including applicable WIOA infrastructure and shared-system expenses, may not exceed 5 percent of the college's total federal Perkins allocation. The guidelines do not state a required recipient cost share or matching contribution. Applicants must complete the Uniform Grant Application in Euna Grants and submit a completed FY2027 Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment, CLNA Outcomes Review, Annual Work Plan, Uniform Budget, Acknowledgement of Grant Processes, Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act form, and Programmatic Risk Assessment. The Annual Work Plan contains an Annual Accountability Report and Annual Activity Plan. A Performance Improvement Plan is required for any performance indicator below the state-determined performance level at the aggregate level. The Annual Activity Plan addresses six components: Work-based Learning; Career Exploration, Development, and Guidance; Supporting Special Populations Students; Early College Credit; Enhanced Curriculum and Instruction; and Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Preparation, Development, and Training. The Uniform Budget spreadsheet and signed certification must be uploaded, and the corresponding application budget summary must also be entered in Euna Grants. All local application documents must be submitted through the Euna Grants Grant Management System. The FY2027 application deadline was May 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Euna Grants does not allow late applications. Applications are reviewed by ICCB staff, who may request additional information, clarification, or supporting data or may approve the proposal as submitted. Expenditures cannot begin until the college receives approval and cannot begin before July 1, 2026. Upon approval, ICCB issues a Notice of State Award and Grant Agreement containing award information and required assurances and certifications. The agreement must be signed by the college president or another authorized signatory and returned to ICCB.grantpayments@illinois.gov to activate the grant. Recipients must submit quarterly programmatic and financial reports. The reporting periods end September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30, with reports normally due October 30, January 30, April 30, and July 30, respectively. Perkins sub-recipients are also subject to fiscal and programmatic monitoring under ICCB's risk-based monitoring system. Questions regarding application submission may be directed to the applicant's ICCB Perkins liaison or ICCB.cte@illinois.gov. ICCB's general contact information is 217.785.0123. The program is recurring: the guidelines list annual application deadlines and state that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the FY2028 application will be due May 14, 2027.

Submit a complete application because incomplete applications will be returned. Use disaggregated data to identify performance gaps and complete a Performance Improvement Plan for indicators below state-determined performance levels. Link every budget category entry to the applicable Performance Improvement Plan or Annual Activity Plan activity and provide detailed narratives. Ensure expenditure category totals equal Section A totals. Enter only one Euna Grants budget line per expenditure category rather than individual expenditures. Upload the completed Uniform Budget in Excel format and the signed certification as required. Do not begin expenditures until ICCB approval and never before July 1, 2026.