Office of Migrant Education (OME):: High School Equivalency Program

Overview

Purpose of Program: The HEP is designed to assist migratory or seasonal farmworkers (or immediate family members of such workers) to obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and subsequently to gain improved employment, enter military service, or be placed in an institution of higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training.

Priorities: This competition includes one competitive preference priority and one invitational priority.

Competitive Preference Priority: Consideration of Prior Experience. (Up to 15 points)

In accordance with 34 CFR 206.31(a), the Secretary will consider the applicant’s experience in implementing an expiring HEP project, with respect to:

(a) Whether the applicant served the number of participants described in its approved application;

(b) The extent to which the applicant met or exceeded its funded objectives with regard to project participants, including the targeted number and percentage of—

(1) Participants who received a general educational development (GED) credential; and

(2) GED credential recipients who were reported as entering postsecondary education programs, career positions, or the military; and

(c) The extent to which the applicant met administrative requirements, including recordkeeping, reporting, and financial accountability under the terms of the previously funded award.

Invitational Priority: Meeting Students’ Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs.

Projects that are designed to improve students’ social, emotional, academic, and career development, with a focus on underserved students, through one or both of the following:

(a) Creating a positive, inclusive, and identity-safe climate at institutions of higher education through fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion for students who are migratory or seasonal or immediate family members of such workers.

(b) Fostering partnerships, including across government agencies (e.g.,housing, human services, employment agencies), local educational agencies, community-based organizations, adult learning providers, and postsecondary education institutions, to provide comprehensive services to students who are migratory or seasonal farmworkers or immediate family members of such workers and their families that support students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs, and that are inclusive with regard to race, ethnicity, culture, language, and disability status.

Estimated Range of Awards: $180,000–$475,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $475,000.

Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $475,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.