No. To be eligible for funding, each member of a consortium must meet all eligibility requirements. See 34 CFR 75.127(a) (eligible parties may apply as a group) and 34 CFR 75.128(b)(2) (each member of the group is bound to every statement and assurance made in the application).

Under this program we estimate that the funding amount will range from $100,000 to $200,000 per project year. Projects will be funded for up to 36 months, contingent upon the demonstration of substantial progress each year toward meeting project goals and objectives and the availability of future funds.

The funding range for this program is estimated to be $100,000 to $200,000. However, applicants are allowed to ask for amounts that are either lesser or greater than this range, provided there is sufficient justification (please note that requesting a lesser amount does not guarantee an award).

No. There is no in-kind match for this program.

Yes. Secondary school students may serve as mentors under this program.

The ideal mentor/student relationship is a one-to-one relationship, where practicable. However it is not a requirement for funding under this program.

No. While program activities must be coordinated in close collaboration with a school, applicants are allowed flexibility in determining the most appropriation location.

All activities must be educational and/or cultural in nature, not solely for entertainment or diversionary purposes. Using grant funds for activities such as award ceremonies, sporting events, picnics, and camping trips are considered to be recreational events and is strictly prohibited.

No. Grant funds may not be used to purchase games, game equipment or game software. Any proposed activity must be strictly educational and/or cultural in nature, not solely for entertainment or diversionary purposes.

Grant funds may not be used to pay for personal mentor/student expenses, or for the purchase of incentives or awards.

No. Grant funds cannot be used for events, activities, ceremonies, awards, high tea, banquets, or any other entertainment events.

Grant funds may be used to cover certain transportation costs directly related to travel to proposed educational and cultural activities. Mentors may not be reimbursed for personal travel expenses.

No. Grant funds may not be used for the purchase of food or beverages, expenses related to parties, picnics, or any other item not directly related to mentoring students.

Under this program you may purchase materials or supplies required by mentoring coordinators and support staff in carrying out the mentoring program.

Eligible applicants are local educational agencies and nonprofit community-based organizations. Individual schools within a school district are not eligible to apply for funding under this program.

Yes. Under this program you may use grant funds to pay for the professional development of mentoring coordinators and support staff, and for the training and support of mentors.

Yes. Grant funds may be used for the costs associated with background checks.

You are eligible to apply if you meet the eligibility requirements of this program and propose mentoring programs and activities to serve children with the greatest need in the 4th through 8th grades living in rural areas, high-crime areas, or troubled home environments, or children experiencing educational failure.

Yes. To the extent practicable, applicants must propose programs that follow the same students for the entire life of the program. New participants may be selected to replace students who are not able to continue in the program, or for other reasons related to attrition.

No. Mentoring projects funded by this program are intended to be year-round to the extent practicable, including weekends and during the summer months.

No. You may charge indirect costs using the rate negotiated with your cognizant federal agency (e.g., Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior).

If you claim indirect costs in your budget and do not have a negotiated rate with the federal government, you have 90 days from the time you transmit your application to submit the necessary paperwork to ED to receive a negotiated indirect cost rate. For more information, please visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.

No. Please note that Grants.gov does not currently support the new Microsoft Vista Operating system. The PureEdge software used by Grants.gov for forms is not compatible with Vista. In addition, the new version of Microsoft Word saves documents with the extension “.DOCX.” The Grants.gov system does not process Microsoft Word documents with the extension “.DOCX.” When submitting Microsoft Word attachments to Grants.gov, please use the version of Microsoft Word that ends in “.DOC.” If you have any questions regarding this matter please email the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or call (800) 518-4726.

If you are submitting your application electronically via Grants.gov, then you will need to provide these numbers. They can be located on Grants.gov website on the application download page and also on the application package page once the package has been downloaded. If you are submitting a hard copy of your application, then you do not need to provide these numbers as they are used strictly for the electronic package submitted via Grants.gov.