TANF Employment & Training - Special Projects - College Scholarship Program (26-444-80-2877-01)

1. - Basic Information (444-80-2877)

Items 1(A) - 1(E) are in the CSFA Data Table Below:

Awarding Agency Name (1-A)	Illinois Department of Human Services
Agency Division Name	Family and Community Services Office of Workforce Development Bureau of Employment and Training
Agency Contact	Charles Hopkins Charles.Hopkins@illinois.gov  (217) 299-8295
Announcement Type (1-C)	Competitive
Funding Opportunity Title (1-B)	TANF Employment and Training - Special Projects - College Scholarship Program
Funding Opportunity Number (1-D)	26-444-80-2877-01
Application Posting Date	March 26, 2025
Application Closing Date	April 28, 2025
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number	444-80-2877
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Name	TANF E & T College Scholarship Program
Assistance Listing Number(s) (1-E)	93.558
Awarding Source	Federal
Estimated Total Program Funding Amount	$573,000.00
Anticipated Number of Awards	2
Award Range	Up to $350,000.00
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?	No
Indirect Costs Allowed?	Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs?	No
Technical Assistance Session Offered	No

1. - Basic Information Continued - Section F through I

6. Funding Details
   1. Total Amount of Funding
      1. The Department expects to award approximately $573,000.00
      2. The source of funding for this program is Federal funds
   2. Number of Grant Awards
      1. The Department anticipates funding approximately 2 grant awards to provide this program
   3. Expected Dollar Amount of Individual Grant Awards
      1. The Department anticipates that the dollar amount of individual awards will be $350,000.00.
   4. Average amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years.
      1. Average funding amount for this grant award program in previous years was $286,000.00.
   5. Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility.
      1. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new State awards
      2. Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on sufficient appropriation and performance criteria including, but not limited to:
         1. Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period
         2. All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division/Department
         3. No outstanding issues are present (e.g., in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements and no outstanding corrective action, etc.)
   6. Sub-Recipient Agreements 
      1. Sub-Recipient Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department.  Sub-recipients are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility  for the performance and monitoring of the sub-recipient.
   7. Funding restrictions
      1. Pre-Award Pre-Award costs are not allowable for this award
         1. IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records.
      2. Indirect Costs
         1. Indirect Costs (may/may not) be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES)
   8. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award
7. Key Dates
   1. Application Posting Date March 26, 2025.
   2. The Department must receive the Full Application:  Due on April 28, 2025 by 11:59 pm CST
   3. Anticipated Award Date May 15, 2025
   4. Anticipated Start Dates and Periods of Performance for new grant awards.
      1. Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than July 1, 2025 and will continue through June 30, 2026.
8. Executive Summary: 
   • This program provides TANF and other low-income students who are also the guardian of 1 or more children, an opportunity to obtain a degree and employment. The program is primarily a supportive services program allowing TANF families who need extra support to enroll and stay in school to better their employment opportunities and increase their economic self-sufficiency.
   • The Scholarship fund is to be used as an additional funding source for eligible students to reduce or eliminate financial barriers to their successfully obtaining a degree. In addition, the Provider must ensure that eligible students apply for and receive all other possible financial assistance available through the completion of the FAFSA form.
   • The Scholarship funds are to be administered to meet the student's educational financial needs, such as payment of tuition, required books, University sponsored meal plans, housing, childcare and transportation costs. Additional services that may be needed to help the student transition to college and succeed academically like mentoring, tutoring, special prep classes and time management workshops are also allowed under this initiative.
9.  Agency Contact Information.
   1. If you have questions about this NOFO, please contact the E&T NOFO mailbox at DHS.ETNOFO@illinois.gov.
   2. A frequently asked Question and Answer page is posted on the DHS website. Questions submitted up to 5 business days prior to the end of the NOFO posting period, will be posted on the website.
10. Indirect Costs (for more information, refer to Indirect Costs)

2. - Eligibility

3. - Program Description

This section contains the full program description of the funding opportunity.

1. Required Information:
   1. The general purpose of the funding is to provide TANF and other low-income students who are also the guardian of 1 or more children, an opportunity to obtain a degree and employment. The program is primarily a supportive services program allowing TANF families who need extra support to enroll and stay in school to better their employment opportunities and increase their economic self-sufficiency. 
   2. The State agency's funding priorities or focus areas.
      1. IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.
      2. IDHS intends to prioritize applications from eligible applicants who provide services in geographic regions where other services are not offered and/or are in high need areas, having a disproportionate amount of economic hardship or food insecurity.
   3. Goals and objectives of the Program.
      1. Provide TANF and other low-income students (annual income below 200% of the Federal poverty level) who are Illinois residents, enrolled full-time (minimum 12 hours) and have minor children, an opportunity to receive funding to assist them in obtaining a college degree and employment.
   4. Program Deliverables
      1. The Scholarship funds are to be administered to meet the student's educational financial needs, such as payment of tuition, required books, University sponsored meal plans, campus housing, childcare and transportation costs. Additional services that may be needed to help the student transition to college and succeed academically like mentoring, tutoring, special prep classes and time management workshops are also allowed.
   5. Performance Measures and Standards
      1. The Grantee must track and report the following information monthly (or as specified by the Department) for students receiving scholarships during the program year as outlined below and submit via the Periodic Performance Report monthly:
         1. Number of students (unduplicated) receiving scholarships during the month;
         2. The name of each student; student's DHS case number;
         3. Amount of money spent on scholarships issued;
         4. Details of all issuance provided, i.e. tuition, books, etc.;
         5. Total amount of issuance provided;
         6. Number and type of outreach/recruitments events held to advertise scholarship availability
         7. Number of students that maxed out their PELL and/or MAP eligibility and received a scholarship;
         8. Number of students receiving scholarships that were employed;
         9. Number of students that received scholarship that graduated during program year;
         10. Number of students that have used their last semester of eligibility;
         11. If the referral came from a local FCRC, please document and which FCRC the referral originated and if not, where did the referral originate;
         12. Status of student's participation, suspension or termination (including probation, suspension, termination from program, etc.)
      2. On the subsequent monthly Periodic Performance Report (PPR) after the conclusion of each semester, additionally the Grantee is to report:
         1. Verification of student's continued eligibility;
         2. Student grades, GPA and progress.
      3. Upon Graduation the Provider is to report on the following monthly Periodic Performance Report (PPR):
         1. Any Major or Minor degree earned and if employment has been obtained and details regarding the new job, including:
         2. Employer's name, if the degree held is relevant to the job, starting salary, and skills sector (such as: healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, etc.)
      4. 100% of stipends are issued to TANF eligible students;
      5. 100% of the required reports (EDFs, PFRs and PPRs) are submitted timely;
      6. 50% of students attain a degree or credential.
      7. 30% at least, are employed 90 days after earning a degree.
      8. As needed, Corrective Action Plans will be initiated to address unmet Performance Standards, which may result in a reduction or termination of funding.
   6.  For cooperative agreements, the "substantial involvement" that the State agency expects to have are (or are located) N/A
   7. Specific unallowable costs for this program include the following: N/A
   8. Program beneficiaries or program participants must meet the following requirements: meet the TANF eligibility criteria, i.e. dependent child and under 200% of poverty level.
   9. Authorizing statutes and regulations for the funding opportunity include the following: 305 ILCS 5/Art. IV and 45 CFR 200.

4. - Application Contents and Format.

This subsection must identify the required content of an application and the forms or formats an applicant must use. If any requirements are stated elsewhere, this section should refer to where those requirements may be found. This section also should include required forms or formats as part of the announcement or state where the applicant may obtain them.

1. Content and Format Requirements
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
   1. Pre-applications, letters of intent, or white papers are not required.
   2. Required Content of Application
      1. Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. The Department will not contact applicants for missing items listed below. Applicants that do not include all the following documents will be considered substantially incomplete and will not be considered for funding. Refer to Section 5 (iii)B for details.
   3. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments
      1. Program Narrative: IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a significantly reduced score the applicant organization will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.
      2. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments: Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will consider content contained within that specific section.
         1. Executive Summary (2 pages maximum) - 5 points
            1. The Executive Summary will serve as a stand-alone document for the successful applicant that will be shared with various state-level stakeholders and others requesting a brief overview of the funded project. Therefore, applicants should be concise and direct in their description and provide an overview of the services proposed with these funds and the outcomes that will be achieved.
            2. The description should include:
               1. Agency history
               2. A brief overview of the services that will be delivered
               3. Service area
               4. Need for the services
               5. Capacity to provide the services and;
               6. Projected numbers to be served within each program component.
         2. Need (2 pages Maximum) - 15 points
            1. The purpose of this section is for the applicant to provide a clear and accurate picture of the need for these services and benefits gained. State and describe the service area, the target population and the need for services in your community. Information in this section should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
               1. Identification of service area. Include description and demographics of communities served.
               2. Description of accessibility and availability of services that reflect your client and communities' needs. Include evidence if the service area is being described as a transportation desert.
               3. Identification of unserved, underserved or inadequately served populations and any special needs in the service area. Explain how they were identified.
               4. Identification of proposed or established partnerships with other agencies providing services to underserved populations. Describe the nature of the partnership, i.e. subawards, Memorandum of Understanding or linkage agreements and highlight collaborative efforts.
               5. Describe current trends or issues, service gaps or unmet needs in the community or target population.
         3. Capacity (9 pages - maximum attachments do not count toward page maximum) 35 points
            1. The purpose of this section is for the applicant to present an accurate picture of the agency's capacity, qualifications and ability to provide the program as described in this Funding Notice. Information in this section should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
               1. Convincing evidence that the applicant agency is capable of carrying out the proposed program, including fiscal, administrative and programmatic ability to manage grant. This should include experience, staffing patterns and qualifications to comply with GATA fiscal and administrative requirements. Highlight any recent changes in policies and procedures to improve fiscal, administrative or programmatic capacity.
               2. An organizational chart of the applicant organization, showing where the program and its staff will be placed. If subawards will be used, include the relationship with those organizations in the chart. (Label Attachment A).
               3. Identify key staff positions that will be responsible for the program and their qualifications to implement the program deliverables.
               4. A description of your agency's current programs and activities relevant to the services described in this NOFO.
               5. Describe the capacity of your program to meet the needs of the target populations you will be serving and respond to emerging community needs. Describe your program's strategy to enhance services to unserved, underserved and inadequately served populations in the service area. At a minimum, staffing and linkage/working agreements or collaborations with community partners that primarily serve these populations and the leadership role played by those representing and serving the underserved populations in question.
               6. Identify service locations, hours of operation, service type and staffing. (Attachment B)
               7. Detail service provision numbers or estimates. (Attachment C)
               8. Describe agency oversight by Board of Directors and available resources for fiscal, administrative, and programmatic areas.
               9. Describe the agency capacity to provide a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment.
               10. Describe the means by which the grantee will provide meaningful access for limited English proficient individuals.
               11. Describe the means by which the grantee will provide meaningful access and effective communication for individuals with disabilities.
         4. Quality (9 pages maximum) - 35 points
            1. Provide an overview of service delivery model or standards for providing transportation services.
            2. Provide a description of each required service component in the selected grant type. Include process for initiating services, eligibility criteria, identification of service needs and service planning.
            3. Describe how your pickup and drop off sites are selected and how they meet participant needs. Where are drop off sites. How many people do drop off sites (employer sites) employ and how many (estimate if needed) are low income.
            4. Describe how the program design has direct correlation to the needs identified in the needs section of the application. Include identification of the underserved populations that are being targeted for outreach and services and how services are promoted to those people.
            5. Describe what resources and other knowledge, skills, or abilities are available to implement quality programming.
            6. Describe your program staff's qualifications and training. Include education and/or experience, initial and ongoing training, staff supervision, training budget, certifications.
            7. Describe how your program will achieve the targeted performance standards. List any additional outcomes your program will target to achieve. Customer satisfaction must be included in performance metrics.
   4. Budget and Budget Narrative
      1. Applicants must enter a budget electronically in the CSA system (Refer to Appendix A: CSA Budget Information for more information and a link to budget forms). The Budget entered into the CSA system will include a narrative or detailed description/justification for each line in the budget and will describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation and how you arrived at the particular amount. Please include cost allocations as necessary. This narrative must also clearly identify indirect costs, direct program costs, direct administrative costs, and match within each line item as appropriate. The Budget (including MTDC base exclusions as appropriate) should clearly describe how the specified resources and personnel have been allocated for the tasks and activities described in your plan.
      2. The Budget must be electronically signed and submitted in the CSA system. The Budget must be signed by the Provider's Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer.
      3. IMPORTANT: Please be sure the budget status in CSA says "GATA Budget signed and submitted to program review." This status will appear after the budget is electronically signed by the agency CEO or CFO and submitted to IDHS. See IDHS CSA Tracking System webpage for additional information on CSA at IDHS: CSA Tracking System (state.il.us)
      4. The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and demonstrate that all proposed costs are:
         1. Reasonable and necessary
         2. Allocable, and
         3. Allowable as defined herein and by program regulatory requirements and the Uniform Guidance (2CFR 200), as applicable.
   5. Required Forms
      1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (pdf): The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance is a three-page document used to formalize organization's request to apply for funding. The document requires the signature and email address of the organization's authorized representative. This email address will be used for official communication between the Department and the applicant organization for matters regarding this application. 
      2. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure - The grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure is a required for all grant award programs. The document requires agencies to identify actual or potential conflicts of interest. The form must be signed by a representative of the organization.
      3. W-9 form (pdf)
   6. Required Format
      1. The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the format outlined or points may be deducted.
      2. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.

5. -  Submission Requirements and Deadlines.

1. Address to Request Application Package. This subsection MUST include the following:
   1. Actions Needed Prior to Applying:
      1. The complete application package (this Notice of Funding Opportunity, including links to required forms) is available through the Illinois Catalog of Financial Assistance and the IDHS Grants Website Page located: IDHS: Grant Funded Programs (state.il.us)
      2. Each Applicant must have access to the internet. The Department's website will contain information regarding the NOFO and materials necessary for submission. Questions and answers will also be posted on the Department's website as described in this announcement (section 1 - Alpha section I). It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor the website and comply with any instructions or requirements related to the NOFO.
2. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov). This subsection must state the requirements for unique entity identifiers and registration in SAM.gov. It must include the following:
   1. Each applicant must:
      1. Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application;
      2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and
      3. Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration.
      4. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements
      5. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.
   2. If individuals are eligible to apply, they are exempt from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(b).
   3. If the agency exempts any applicants from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d), a statement to that effect.
3.  Submission Instructions. This subsection addresses how the applicant will submit the application. It must include the following:
   1. Actions needed prior to applying:
      1. Applicants must be registered with the State of Illinois and Pre-qualified in the GATA portal prior to applying for Illinois awards. Instructions for creating an account and registering are located at the following link: Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. Additionally, detailed instructions for registration and prequalification requirements, including the expected amount of time for completion are located here: Pre-Award Requirements
   2. The methods for submitting the application:
      1. Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order:
         1. Program Narrative
         2. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (pdf)
         3. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure
         4. W-9 form (pdf)
         5. Budget (entered into the CSA system as described in section (4)(A)
      2. Applications must be sent electronically to DHS.ETNOFO@illinois.gov. The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to DHS.ETNOFO@illinois.gov. Include the following in the subject line: NOFO number and your agency name. Application submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. Applications will not be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, or thumb drive.
      3. Documents must include the following password: N/A
      4. Software or electronic capabilities required are as follows: internet access, preferably high-speed, and browser software meeting the following criteria:  Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Internet Explorer 11 or newer.
      5. Applicants are required to notify the Department within 48 hours of the deadline, if they did not receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and does not notify the Department within 48 hours, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored. The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after the 48 hours. In the event of a dispute the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above (and that the budget was submitted into the CSA system on time).
   3. Pre-application materials must be submitted as follows: N/A
   4. If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact:
      1. Name: Charles Hopkins
      2. Phone: 217-299-8295
      3. Email: DHS.ETNOFO@illinois.gov
4. Submission Dates and Times. 
5. Full applications are due on the following date April 28, 2025 at the following time 11:59PM (CST).
   1. Any preliminary submissions, such as letters of intent, white papers, or pre- applications are due on the following date: N/A
   2. Other submissions required before the award (separate from the full application) include: N/A
   3. Missed Deadlines:
      1. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding. All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be separately notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
      2. For your records, please keep a copy of your submission with the date and time the application was submitted along with the email address to which it was sent. The deadline will be strictly enforced.
      3. IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that the applicant not wait until the last minute to submit an application in case they experience technical difficulties with the submission process. Applicants should keep copies of all documentation that that may prove their application was submitted to the correct location and that it was received by IDHS on or before the deadline. Applicants should also maintain all electronic documentation, including screen shots, email correspondence, help desk ticket numbers, etc. that would document any unforeseen difficulties the applicant may have encountered regarding the timely submission of the application.
6. Intergovernmental Review. This section must include the following:
   1. This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs".

6. - Application Review Information.

7. - Award Notices.

1. This section must address what a successful applicant can expect to receive following selection. 
   1. State Award Notices
      1. Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). The NOSA shall include:
         1. Grant award amount
         2. The terms and conditions of the awar
         3. Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative risk assessment (ICQ), programmatic risk assessments (PRA), and the Merit Review
      2. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. The signed NOSA is the document authorizing the department to proceed with issuing an agreement. The Agency signed NOSA must be remitted to the Department as instructed in the notice
      3. The notice is not an authorization to begin performance (to the extent that it allows charging to State awards of pre-award costs; pre-award costs are incurred at the non-State entities own risk unless they have received written prior approval to begin performance)
      4. The authorizing document to begin performance is the fully executed Uniform Grant Agreement (UGA) signed by the grants officer, or equivalent. This is the official document that obligates funds. The UGA is sent to the non-State entity via the CSA system. The non-State entity will print and sign the signature page of the UGA and return signature page to DHS.OCA.SignaturePages@illinois.gov.  A final signed copy of the UGA will be provided to the non-State entity via an upload into the CSA Tracking system. Note: The Department cannot issue an Agreement until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into the CSA system
      5. Applicants who are not eligible due to registration or pre-qualification issues, or late applications will receive a Notice of Ineligibility prior to the Merit Based Review.
      6. Applicants who are not selected to receive an award following the Merit Review process will receive a Notice of Denial/Non Selection.

8. - Post-Award Requirements and Administration.

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. 
   1. The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the IDHS grant agreement and shall act in accordance with all State and Federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services.
   2. Sample of the current IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement (pdf).
   3. Payment Terms:
      1. It is the policy of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) that this policy complies with 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (Procedures implementing the Cash Management Improvement Act and Treasury State Agreement (TSA)) and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods). Three different award payment methods exist, namely Advance Payment, Reimbursement, and Working Capital Advance.
2. Reporting. 
   1. Reporting upon execution of the grant agreement shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the UGA and related exhibits which include but is not limited to the following:
      1. Periodic Financial Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist
      2. Periodic Programmatic Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist
         1. On a monthly basis Provider is expected to submit the following on the Periodic Performance Report (PPR) all performance measures outlined in the Performance Measures section above.
      3. Close-out Performance Reports and Financial Reports as instructed in the UGA
      4. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in the format prescribed by the Department.
      5. If the State share of any State award may include more than $500,000 over the period of performance applicants are also subject to the reporting requirements reflected in Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200. Noncompliance with any of the identified reports may lead to being placed on the Illinois Stop-Payment List

9. - Other Information - Optional

1. Additional Information
   1. Mandatory Forms and Submission
      1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (pdf)
      2. Proposal Narrative
      3. Uniform Grant Budget in CSA
      4. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure
      5. W-9 form (pdf)