In FY 2008, the program will serve approximately 7,400 students in 44 projects.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Project funds may be used to recruit and provide academic and support services (including counseling, health services, stipends, and placement) to migrant students to obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and to subsequently gain employment or be placed in an institution of higher education or other postsecondary education or training.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Institutions of higher education or private nonprofit agencies in cooperation with institutions of higher education may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Persons who are engaged or whose parents are engaged in migrant and other seasonal farmwork or who have participated or have been eligible to participate in the Title I, MEP. Eligible beneficiaries are 16 and older or beyond the age of compulsory school attendance, and lacking a high school diploma.

Credentials/Documentation

To be eligible to participate in HEP: the applicant or their parents must: (1) Have worked a minimum of 75 days during the past 24 months in migrant on seasonal farmwork, or have been eligible to participate or have participated within the past 2 years in Title I, Migrant Education Program; (2) not have earned a secondary school diploma or its equivalent; (3) not be currently enrolled in an elementary or secondary school; (4) be 16 years of age or older, or above the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the project is located; and (5) be determined by the grantee to need the academic and supporting services and financial assistance provided by the project.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No.

A-102 must be used for this program.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

Application forms are available from the Department of Education. An applicant submits its application to the Department of Education no later than the date announced by the Department in the Federal Register. An application must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the regulations, instructions, and forms included in the grant application package. Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a panel for selection of possible funding.

Award Procedures

The Department of Education notifies a successful applicant of its award. Actual negotiation and awarding of grants is done by the Department of Education's Office of Migrant Education staff.

Deadlines

Contact the Department of Education for application deadlines.

Authorization

Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 5, Section 418A, 20 U.S.C. 1070d-2.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately three months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Grants are awarded for up to 5 years. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds and recipient performance.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The project period is up to 60 months. Funds are awarded for 12-month budget periods. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds and recipient performance.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual continuation applications showing satisfactory performance are required each year and a final performance report is required 90 days after completion of a project.

Audits

In accordance with the Education Department General Administration Regulations in the Appendix to 34 CFR 80, State and local governments that receive financial assistance of $100,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $100,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with the Appendix to Part 80, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate.

Records

In accordance with the General Education Provisions Act and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (34 CFR 74, 75, and 80), grantees must maintain certain project records for three years.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0900-0-1-501.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $18,550,000; FY 08 est $18,226,000; and FY 09 est $18,226,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

For FY 2008, the range of awards is expected to be $310,000 to $475,000; the average award is expected to be $417,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 85, 86, and 206.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Office of Migrant Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Room 3E227, Washington, DC 20202. Contact: David De Soto. E-mail: david.de.soto@ed.gov Telephone: (202) 260-8103. Toll-Free Telephone: (800) 872-5327.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Migrant Education High School Equivalency Program regulations (34 CFR 206) include the following criteria for selecting proposals, as follows: need for project (15 points); quality of project design (20 points); quality of management plan (20 points); quality of project services (15 points); quality of project personnel (10 points); adequacy of resources (10 points); project evaluation (10 points); and prior experience (15 points).