Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) Preparing College- and Career-Ready Graduates Competitive Grants

The Education and Economic Development Act Preparing College- and Career-Ready Graduates Competitive Grant is administered by the South Carolina Department of Education through its Office of Career Services. This program is funded under the South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act of 2005, which was established to ensure that students receive a curriculum aligned with career clusters and are equipped with both academic knowledge and real-world skills. The grant specifically targets students identified as at risk of academic failure or dropping out, with the overarching goal of ensuring these students graduate meeting the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate as defined in state legislation. The purpose of this competitive grant is to support school districts in implementing evidence-based strategies and models that address both academic deficiencies and career readiness. Funded activities must directly support student advancement, including improving academic achievement, promoting grade progression, increasing graduation rates, and reducing dropout rates. Allowable uses of funds include salaries and benefits, transportation, and instructional supplies tied to program implementation. However, funds cannot be used for capital expenditures such as construction, high-cost equipment, vehicles, student incentives, or political or religious activities. Indirect costs are also not permitted under this program. Eligibility is limited to South Carolina school districts proposing to serve students in grades 3 through 12 who are identified as at risk. Districts may submit multiple applications but may only include up to three schools per application. Priority consideration is given to districts not currently receiving EEDA funding. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with state regulations for identifying at-risk students and must utilize evidence-based models recommended by the National Dropout Prevention Center or similar authorities. Programs must supplement, not supplant, existing services. The application process requires submission through an online portal and includes multiple required components such as a project abstract, detailed narrative, budget summary, and appendices. The narrative must address key sections including statement of need, project design, management and sustainability, and evaluation and dissemination. Applicants must also submit supporting documentation such as a certification signature page, timeline of activities, weekly schedule, and resumes of key personnel. All applications must adhere strictly to formatting and submission requirements to be considered eligible. Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process conducted by independent reviewers who score proposals based on quality, feasibility, and alignment with program goals. A scoring rubric allocates points across narrative sections, and applications must achieve a minimum average score of 80 points to be considered for funding. Additional competitive priority points may be awarded based on factors such as serving alternative schools, priority schools, or high percentages of at-risk students. Final funding decisions are based on total scores and availability of funds. The total funding available for this program is approximately 1.5 million dollars, with an anticipated 10 awards. Award amounts vary depending on the quality and scope of applications submitted. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Funds are disbursed after execution of a grant award notice, and recipients must comply with strict reporting requirements, including interim and final reports documenting progress and outcomes. The application deadline for the current cycle was January 16, 2026. A technical assistance webinar was offered prior to submission to support applicants. Award notifications are expected in April 2026, with projects beginning in July 2026. The program operates on an annual cycle, and districts must maintain compliance with reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements throughout the grant period. For additional information, applicants may contact Tiffany Dorsey at the South Carolina Department of Education via phone or email.

Ensure alignment with evidence-based strategies and clearly defined at-risk student needs; achieve minimum 80 score threshold; follow formatting and submission rules exactly; demonstrate measurable outcomes and sustainability