After$chool Funding: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title I, Part A

Welcome to our series on funding and sustainability for afterschool and summer learning programs! We will be sharing information about top funding streams and how to access them every Friday during this campaign. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to make sure you get regular updates.

TItle I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides funds to schools and local education agencies (known as LEAs or school districts) that serve a high number or percentage of students from low-income families to help ensure all children’s educational needs are being met.

Title I, Part A is a tremendous source of funds, and is likely the best path for school districts to sustain afterschool and summer programs supported by American Rescue Plan pandemic relief dollars. For afterschool and summer program providers, seeking partnerships with schools that receive Title I funds is critical. The flexibility and the amount of funds available in Title I – more than $18 billion nationally – present strong opportunities to support students in out-of-school hours. Some potential uses of Title I, Part A funds include:

• Programs that target supplemental support for students from low-income families, including those struggling academically

• Supplemental supports can be part of summer learning and afterschool programs that include academic and non-academic enrichment activities

• Supplemental services can be provided directly or by partnering with nonprofit and community organizations

While community-based organization (CBO) providers cannot directly access these funds, if a strong partnership is in place with schools and districts, it is possible for funding to be shared with CBOs and other partners.

• Who controls the funding: The federal government allocates funding to state education agencies (SEAs) based on Census data; SEAs then award money to LEAs based on participation and eligibility in Free and Reduced Price Lunch.

• Who is eligible: Schools in which children from low-income families make up at least 40% of enrollment.

• How to get funding through Title I, Part A: Afterschool and summer programs operated by schools and districts can make the case to use these funds through the normal budgeting process. Community-based providers can make connections with schools and school districts in the area.

  • Work with school principals to ensure they are aware that funding can be used to support school-wide afterschool programming, and ensure parents advocate for quality, affordable afterschool opportunities.

• How much is a typical award: Amounts vary depending on need and enrollment; total appropriation in FY24 was more than $18B. A state-by-state breakdown is available on the U.S. Department of Education’s Title I, Part A webpage.

• How long do grants last: Title I funds are issued annually; the amount school districts receive depends on the annual budget approved by Congress.

In Montgomery County, Maryland, Extended Learning Opportunities Summer Adventures in Learning (ELO SAIL) is a four-week summer program for rising K - 8th grade students enrolled in selected Title I schools for the 2024-2025 school year. Selected Title I elementary and middle schools have a 4.5-hour student day, where they engage in hands-on, exciting, and enriching literacy, mathematics, and science or STEM instruction, social studies, and social-emotional learning. Their purpose is to provide all students in Title I schools with access to high-quality learning experiences to mitigate learning loss in core content, deepen curiosity in STEM, strengthen collaboration through speaking and listening, and develop social-emotional character. This program is provided to students enrolled in Title I schools free of charge.

To learn more about ESSA Title I, Part A, visit our ESSA Legislation Overview. For more opportunities to fund your afterschool program, check out our sustainability page!