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Finance & Funding Opportunities for Charter Schools

Funding Opportunities for Charter Schools

The New York State Education Department was awarded a FY2018 Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grant by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).  Authorized by Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, CSP provides funding for the purpose of increasing national understanding of the charter school model and to expand the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the nation.

The purpose of New York’s CSP grant is to increase the number of high-quality charter school seats in the State, especially in charter schools serving students who are at greatest risk of not meeting State academic standards, and to improve student achievement outcomes in the State’s charter schools, particularly for students who are at greatest risk of not meeting State academic standards, through high quality charter authorizing and technical assistance.

CSP provides funds for planning and implementation grants to newly-authorized charter schools and expansion grants to the highest-performing charter schools that seek to add grades and/or enrollment.

Charter School Expansion Grants

Planning and Implementation Grants

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting transition to remote learning environments and the tremendous amount of work involved in shifting to this new mode of instruction, NYSED submitted a request to USDOE, and USDOE approved, a request for a waiver of requirements applicable to NYSED’s CSP grant that would allow NYSED to set aside a portion of its CSP grant funds to award Response to COVID-19 subgrants to eligible charter school education corporations.  These subgrants will reimburse charter schools for expenses required to meet the immediate educational needs of students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, specifically for purchasing technology hardware, software, and licenses as well as staff training on effective implementation of remote learning.  

As a condition of USDOE's approval of the waiver, NYSED must make available quarterly performance reports:

April 1, 2021 - CSP Response to COVID-19 Subgrants Quarterly Performance Report 

July 1, 2021 - CSP Response to COVID-19 Subgrants Quarterly Performance Report 

October 1, 2021 – CSP Response to COVID-19 Subgrants Quarterly Performance Report

January 1, 2022  –  CSP Response to COVID-19 Subgrants Quarterly Performance Report

Other potential sources of funds include:

Consolidated Application for ESSA-Funded Programs - All charter schools are eligible to receive funds from Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; Title III, Part A Immigrant; Title III, Part A ELL; Title IV, Part A; and Title V, Part B.

State Stimulus Fund Grants - This is a competitive grant program administered by the SUNY Charter Schools Institute that focuses on facility construction, renovation, financing, leasehold improvements, and other facility related expenses.

Other NYSED Funding Opportunities - Charter schools may be eligible for other grant programs administered by NYSED. Grant applications are released on an ongoing basis.

NYSED Fiscal Guidance for All Grant Programs

U.S. Department of Education Funding Opportunities - Charter schools may be eligible for grant programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards