Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is a federally authorized initiative administered at the state level by the South Carolina Department of Education through its Office of Student Support. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act. It operates as a competitive subgrant program designed to distribute federal funds to eligible entities that can establish or expand community learning centers serving students and their families during non-school hours. The primary purpose of the program is to provide academic enrichment opportunities that help students meet challenging state academic standards, particularly those attending low-performing schools. In addition to core academic support such as tutoring and homework assistance, the program supports a wide array of enrichment activities including youth development, arts, music, physical wellness, STEM education, career and technical training, and workforce-aligned experiences such as internships or apprenticeships. A key component of the program is family engagement, ensuring that families have access to literacy and educational development opportunities that support student success. Funding for this cycle is estimated at approximately 2 to 3 million dollars, with the expectation that 10 to 15 subgrants will be awarded. Individual award amounts vary based on program design, number of students served, and operational hours, with annual funding structured across a potential four-year period. The first-year budget period runs from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, with continuation funding contingent upon performance, compliance, and availability of federal funds. Programs must operate at least 10 hours per week for a minimum of 30 weeks and may optionally include summer programming with additional funding allocations. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as local educational agencies, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, public or private entities, or consortia of such groups. However, all applicants must apply as joint applicants, meaning at least one school or LEA must partner with another qualifying organization. Programs must target students attending schools with significant low-income populations or those identified for academic improvement. Applicants must also demonstrate collaboration, capacity to manage federal funds, and compliance with programmatic and fiscal requirements. The application process requires submission through an online system and includes multiple components such as a proposal abstract, detailed narrative, budget forecast, appendices, and required forms. The narrative must address needs assessment, project design, management structure, evaluation strategies, and sustainability planning. Applications are reviewed through a peer-review process using a scoring rubric, and competitive priority points may be awarded based on specific criteria such as serving priority schools or expanding geographic reach. The application deadline for this funding cycle is March 23, 2026, with awards expected to be announced between July and August 2026. Programs must begin no later than September 14, 2026. A technical assistance session was held on January 29, 2026 to support applicants. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact Joyce Patterson at the South Carolina Department of Education via email or phone. The program operates on an annual cycle with potential recurrence, subject to federal appropriations and state administration decisions.

Align program design tightly with needs assessment data; ensure measurable objectives; demonstrate sustainability beyond grant period; fully comply with formatting and submission rules