© 2012, Region One Education Service Center
Unlike a formula grant, a discretionary grant awards
funds on the basis of a competitive process. The
department reviews applications, in part through a formal
review process, in light of the legislative and regulatory
requirements and published selection criteria established
for a program. The review process gives the department
discretion to determine which applications best address
the program requirements and are, therefore, most
worthy of funding.
Ed. Gov U.S. Dept of Education.
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center
Formula grant programs are noncompetitive awards
based on a predetermined formula. These programs are
sometimes referred to as state-administered programs.
The OSEP-administered Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) has three formula grant programs,
the Grants to States program authorized by Part B Section
611 for children ages 3 through 21; the Preschool Grants
program authorized by Part B Section 619 for children
ages 3 through 5; and the Grants for Infants and Families
program authorized by Part C for infants and toddlers,
ages birth through 2 and their families.
◦ ED.gov. U.S. Dept. of Education
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center
Federal Entitlements, Division of Grants Administration
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=5047&menu_id=2147483678
Formula Funding Program Information (lists Federal Programs and State
Programs
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=5047&menu_id=2147483678
Entitlements for State Program, Division of Grants Administration
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=8139&menu_id=2147483678
Competitive Grant Selection List, Division of Grant Administration
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=2147487872#2012-2014
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center



All state and Federal grants will have a 20% threshold of total
grant award per month, with the percentage aggregated each
month
All expenditures above 20% will require amendments. Additional
information may be needed by TEA to justify.
Previously- different percentages were allowed per month.
(depending on type of grant, some were aggregated across
months others did not)
Applies to:



Formula grants, state funded
Discretionary competitive, state funded
Formula grants, federally funded
Discretionary competitive, federally
funded
Discretionary noncompetitive, state funded Discretionary noncompetitive,
federally funded
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center


No amendment needed in either formula or discretionary grant
application as long as amounts do not exceed 25% of total approve
budget and no line item is being added.
If Discretionary grantees decides to change the scope or objectives of
the program, grantee will still amend the application.

Previously- some grants had different variances of 25% of total
budgeted amount while others had the 25% in the class/object code.

Applies to:



Formula grants, state funded
Discretionary competitive, state funded
Formula grants, federally funded
Discretionary competitive,
federally funded
Discretionary noncompetitive, state funded Discretionary noncompetitive,
federally funded
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center



No amendment will be required to be submitted for changes
made to the approved application for most state-funded formula
and state-funded discretionary noncompetitive grants,
However, on certain types of programmatic changes it may
require notification and or discussion with TEA program office.
This Flexibility does not apply to any grant over $1M; to new
nonprofit grantees; or to new charter school grantees.

Previously, all budgetary changes required amendments.

Applies to:

Formula grants, state funded

Discretionary noncompetitive, state funded
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center



When entering the estimated number of positions, district will
not be required to amend as long as the actual number of
positions is not increase or decrease by more than 20%
Specific types of positions must be approved, otherwise an
amendment needs to be submitted to add new position.
Previously- Any change in positions or number of positions
required an amendment.
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center





Applies to:
Formula grants, federally funded
Formula grants, state funded; for grantees with
NOGAs over $1M, new charter schools, and new
nonprofit grantees.
Discretionary noncompetitive, federally funded
Discretionary noncompetitive, state funded; for
grantees with NOGAs over $1M, new charter
schools, and new nonprofit grantees.
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center

A budget minimum in any class/object code will be allowed.

This will allow the grantee a flexibility to implement the 25% budget
amendment variance discussed earlier.

Items requiring specific approval are required to be budgeted in the original
application or added via an amendment before grant funds may be expended on
the item.

Previously; Placeholder flexibility existed in some grant programs but not
other.
Applies to:



Formula grants, state funded Formula grants, federally funded
Discretionary competitive, state funded Discretionary competitive federally funded
Discretionary noncompetitive, state funded Discretionary noncompetitive federally
funded
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center
Omar Chavez
Migrant/Title I Coordinator
(956) 984-6240
ochavez@esc1.net
© 2012, Region One Education Service Center