Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grants

Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grants

Updated May 4, 2022
Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grants
Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grants
affecting the coordination and integration of programs,
(also known as the “block grant” program) are authorized
initiatives, and funding streams that meet the purposes of
under Title IV-A of the Elementary and Secondary
the SSAE Grant program to enable LEAs to coordinate
Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student
better with other agencies, schools, services, and programs.
Succeeds Act (ESSA; P.L. 114-95). Prior to the ESSA,
Additionally, the SEA may use funds to support LEAs in
several targeted grant programs were authorized under the
meeting the purpose of the program.
ESEA that collectively provided support for many of the
activities that can now be supported through SSAE Grants.
Uses of Funds by LEAs (§§4105-4110)
After consulting with stakeholders, each LEA must submit
There has been substantial congressional interest in SSAE
an application for funds to its SEA. In its application, the
Grants as the funds can be used for myriad purposes by
LEA must describe how funds will be used. Of the funds
state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational
received by an LEA, not more than 2% may be used for
agencies (LEAs), providing SEAs and LEAs with flexibility
direct administrative costs associated with implementing
to meet their priorities. This In Focus provides an overview
the program. The remainder of the funds must be used for
of key aspects of the program.
three broad categories of activities: (1) supporting well-
rounded educational opportunities, (2) supporting safe and
Purpose of the Program (ESEA §4101)
healthy students, and (3) supporting the effective use of
The purpose of SSAE Grants is to improve students’
technology. If an LEA receives a grant of $30,000 or more,
academic achievement by increasing the capacity of states,
it must provide assurances that it will use at least 20% of its
LEAs, schools, and local communities to (1) provide all
grant for activities to support a well-rounded education, at
students with access to a well-rounded education, (2)
least 20% for activities to support safe and healthy students,
improve school conditions for student learning, and (3)
and some of its funds to support the effective use of
improve the use of technology in order to improve the
technology. If an LEA receives a grant of less than $30,000,
academic achievement and digital learning of all students.
it is only required to provide an assurance regarding the use
of funds for one of the three categories.
Allocation of Funds (§§4103 and 4105)
Under the SSAE Grant formula, prior to making grants to
It is up to the LEA to determine the specific activities in
states the Secretary of Education is required to reserve 0.5%
each category that will be implemented. For example, in the
of the total appropriation for the Bureau of Indian
safe and healthy students category an LEA might choose to
Education, 0.5% of the total appropriation for the outlying
focus on mentoring rather than drug and violence
areas, and 2.0% of the total appropriation for technical
prevention. Regardless of how SEAs and LEAs choose to
assistance and capacity building. The remaining funds are
use their funds, they must be used to supplement, and not
then allocated by formula to each state in proportion to its
supplant, non-federal funds that would otherwise be
share of all ESEA Title I-A state grants allocated during the
available for activities authorized under the program. That
prior fiscal year with no hold harmless provisions applied.
is, in general, SEAs and LEAs cannot use their SSAE funds
No state may receive less than 0.5% of the funds available
to pay for activities that they would have paid for using
for grants to states. Puerto Rico may receive no more than
state or local funds if there were no SSAE Grants.
0.5% of the funds available for grants to states.
In reviewing LEA applications, the SEA must determine
After each SEA receives its grant, it may reserve up to
whether an activity proposed by the LEA is an allowable
5.0% of the funds for state activities. The remaining funds
use of funds under the SSAE program. The LEA must also
are allocated by formula to LEAs in proportion to each
state the program objectives and intended outcomes for
LEA’s share of ESEA Title I-A grants made to all LEAs in
activities and how it will periodically evaluate the
the state during the prior fiscal year. The minimum LEA
effectiveness of such activities in meeting the objectives
grant amount is $10,000, if sufficient funds are available.
and outcomes. LEAs must provide an assurance that they
will report annually to the state on how funds are being
Uses of Funds by SEAs (§4104)
used under each of the three categories.
Of the funds received by the SEA, not more than 1% may
be used for the administrative costs of implementing the
Any LEA that will receive a grant of $30,000 or more is
program, including reporting on how program funds are
required to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to
being used by LEAs. The SEA must use the remaining
examine the areas in need of improvement that focuses, at a
funds to meet the purposes of the program. This may
minimum, on the aforementioned three broad categories of
include providing training, technical assistance, and
activities. The results of the assessment should be used to
capacity building to LEAs receiving program funds. It may
select evidence-based activities, if evidence is available,
also include identifying and eliminating state barriers
https://crsreports.congress.gov

link to page 2 Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grants
that meet the identified needs. A needs assessment must be
 mentoring and school counseling;
conducted once every three years.
 positive behavioral interventions and supports
(PBIS); or
The LEA must also provide an assurance that it will
prioritize the distribution of funds to schools based on one
 programs to support a healthy, active lifestyle.
or more factors, including schools that (1) are among those
with the “greatest needs” as determined by the LEA, (2)
Technology (§4109)
have the highest percentage or number of formula children
LEAs must use funds in this category to improve the use of
(generally children from low-income families) used in the
technology to improve the academic achievement,
determination of Title I-A grants, (3) are identified for
academic growth, and digital literacy of all students.
comprehensive support or improvement under Title I-A, (4)
However, no more than 15% of the program funds used for
are implementing targeted support and improvement under
technology purposes may be used for purchasing
Title I-A, or (5) are identified as persistently dangerous
technology infrastructure (e.g., equipment, software
public elementary or secondary schools under ESEA,
applications). Examples of allowable activities include
Section 8532.
providing
Well-Rounded Education (§4107)
 professional learning tools and resources for
LEAs must use funds in this category to develop and
school staff to personalize learning and providing
implement programs and activities that are coordinated with
promote effective uses of technology in the
other schools and community-based services and programs
classroom;
and may be conducted in partnership with another

organization (e.g., institution of higher education [IHE],
technological capacity and infrastructure
business) that has a demonstrated record of success in
development;
implementing relevant activities. Examples of allowable
 specialized or rigorous academic courses through
activities include providing
the use of technology;


college and career guidance and counseling;
blended learning projects;


science, technology, engineering, and math
professional development in the use of technology
(STEM) programs and activities;
to increase student achievement in STEM areas; or


arts and music education programs and activities;
resources for students in rural, remote, or
underserved areas to take advantage of digital
 accelerated learning programs, including
learning and online courses.
reimbursing students for Advanced Placement
(AP) exam fees;
Appropriations
 programs to teach American history, civics,
Table 1 details appropriations for the SSAE program since
economics, geography, or government; or
its inception.
 programs to promote volunteerism and community
Table 1. Appropriations for the Student Support and
involvement.
Academic Enrichment Grants Program:
FY2017-FY2022
Safe and Healthy Students (§4108)
(dol ars in thousands)
The programs and activities the LEA selects to support in
this category must be used to develop, implement, and
Fiscal Year
Appropriations
evaluate comprehensive programs and activities that are
coordinated with other schools and community-based
2017
$400,000
services and programs; foster safe, healthy, supportive, and
2018
$1,100,000
drug-free environments that support student academic
achievement; promote parent involvement in the activity or
2019
$1,170,000
program; and may be conducted in partnership with another
2020
$1,210,000
organization (e.g., IHE, private entity) that has a
demonstrated record of successful implementation of
2021
$1,220,000
relevant activities. Examples of allowable activities include
2022
$1,280,000
providing
Source: Table prepared by CRS based on data from the U.S.
 drug and violence prevention programs and
Department of Education, Budget Service, annual appropriations
activities;
tables.
 school-based mental health services;
Rebecca R. Skinner, Specialist in Education Policy
 bullying and harassment prevention programs and
activities;
IF10910

https://crsreports.congress.gov

Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grants

Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress.
Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has
been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the
United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be
reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include
copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you
wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.

https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10910 · VERSION 3 · UPDATED