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Title IV, Part A - Capacity Building Initiative

Application Process

Application Process Overview


 

 

Title IV, Part A is one program in the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application. Applying for Title IV, Part A funding involves several critical compliance steps, fiscal requirements, and specific spending thresholds that school districts (LEAs) must navigate during the application process.

Funding Allocations

If your LEA receives $30,000 or more, you must distribute your funds across all three content areas based on these percentage rules:

  • Well-Rounded Education: At least 20%; and

  • Safe and Healthy Students: At least 20%; and

  • Effective Use of Technology: A portion of funds, subject to the 15% Infrastructure Cap below

 

⚠️ Critical Rule: The 15% Technology Infrastructure Cap

Of the money allocated to the Effective Use of Technology area:

  • Infrastructure (Max 15%): No more than 15% of the funds allocated to the Effective Use of Technology can be used for technology infrastructure (devices, software/platforms, digital resources, IT purchases, initial training, etc.). Note: Major construction or facility renovation is prohibited.

  • Programmatic & Staff Support (Min 85%): The remaining portion allocated to the Effective Use of Technology (at least 85%) must support non-infrastructure uses, such as ongoing professional development.

LEAs receiving less than $30,000 are exempt from the 20% minimum percentage rules. You may allocate 100% of your funds to at least one of the three content areas:

  • Well-Rounded Education

  • Safe and Healthy Students

  • Effective Use of Technology

 

⚠️ Critical Rule: The 15% Technology Infrastructure Cap

If you allocate any portion of your funds to Effective Use of Technology:

  • Infrastructure Cap (Max 15%): No more than 15% of the Effective Use of Technology budget may be used for infrastructure (e.g., devices, software/platforms, digital resources, IT purchases, or initial training). Facility construction or major renovations are prohibited.

  • Professional Development (Min 85%): The remaining 85% or more of the Effective Use of Technology budget must support capacity building, such as educator professional development.

Key Compliance Factors

LEAs must also consider the following when allocating funds and preparing the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application.

Supplement, Not Supplant (SNS)

Title IV, Part A funds must be used to increase the level of services, not to replace costs for activities that would otherwise be paid for with state or local funds. Funds cannot be used for activities required by state law, SBOE rules, or local board policy.

Prioritize Fund Distribution

An LEA does not have to distribute Title IV, Part A (T4PA) funds to all campuses. However, funds must be prioritized for schools with the greatest needs, the highest percentages of low-income families, those identified for improvement, or those identified as persistently dangerous. ESSA Sections 4106(e)(2)(A) and 8532

Private Nonprofit (PNP) Equitable Services

LEAs must conduct timely and meaningful consultation with private nonprofit (PNP) schools within their boundaries to provide equitable services. This consultation must occur before the LEA makes any decisions affecting participation opportunities.

Equitable Student Supports

The LEA will increase opportunities and access for all students through grade 12 who are members of groups underrepresented students and underserved areas. [ESSA Section 4104 (3)(a)]

Internet Safety

LEAs receiving these funds must certify they have an internet safety policy in place that protects against obscene or harmful visual depictions.

Local Records

LEAs must maintain descriptions of all funded activities and programming locally; these must be available upon request for audits or TEA monitoring.

Public Reporting of Progress

TEA is required to publicly report how LEAs use Title IV, Part A funds and track their progress toward program goals. Consequently, recipient LEAs must maintain annual records documenting their progress, making them available to TEA and auditors for review and public disclosure. TEA publishes each LEA’s prior-year progress annually, and statewide data is available on the TEA Title IV, Part A webpage.

Resources

TEA Federal Grant Trainings & Video Resources

TEA provides many grant-related trainings throughout the year. As available, corresponding documents will be provided in this section.

View Resources

TEA Statewide Training Series Webpage

This website houses an annual series of virtual training opportunities provided by TEA's Federal Program Compliance Division

Learn More

TEA Supplement, Not Supplant Handbook v. 7.0

A Guide for Grants Administered by the Texas Education Agency

Download

Frequently Asked Questions

Have additional questions? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help!

  • Applicant Designation and Certification (ADC): Before accessing the eGrants application, LEAs must submit the ADC form to indicate if they are applying independently, as a fiscal agent, or as a member of a Shared Services Arrangement (SSA). This choice is binding for the entire project period.

    This is a mandatory preliminary step for applying for ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Funding.

  • Updates will be shared through district communications and public reports.

Timeline

For district planning purposes, key deadlines are provided below ending at the September application deadline.

Late May

Campus information (number, name, and grade span) in the SC5000 schedule is prepopulated from AskTED.

Early June

Deadline for districts to submit applications for Individual Programmatic Waivers.

September

Deadline to submit the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application.

Approach the Title IV, Part A application as your district’s strategic roadmap, where turning meaningful community voices into evidence-based actions creates a direct path toward well-rounded student excellence and safer, more innovative schools.