Purpose
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) 2021 authorizes states to use 1% of their total ARP allocation ($15.4 million) for comprehensive out-of-school time programs. Comprehensive OST programs will use Evidence-based Improvement Strategies (EBIS) designed to address learning loss and social, emotional and academic needs of students most impacted by COVID-19.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Committee on Joint Finance allocated, through Motion 57, an additional $5 million for OST programs and expanded the eligibility for these funds to include community-based organizations.
Funds are to be allocated through a competitive grant process.
Grant Opportunity Overview VideoGrant Competition Announcement
The ESSER III Out-of-School Time Grant competition has been completed. This grant is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) 2021 in the amount of $15.4 million. The Wisconsin Committee on Joint Finance also allocated an additional $5 million through Motion 57.
Eligible applicants for the $15.4 million allocation include Local Education Agencies (LEAs) (districts and independent charter schools) eligible for Sparsity Aid, and if funds remain, a second round for all remaining LEAs. Eligible applicants for the $5 million allocation included LEAs not funded in the $15.4 million allocation and Community Based Organization applicants.
All applicants were required to receive an average score of 3 (or 48 average total score) to be considered for funding. 79 total applications were submitted, with 67 applications meeting the average score requirement.
In all, 44 applicants will receive funding from the $15.4 million allocation, and 17 will receive funding from the $5 million allocation.
Application Deadline
The application period is closed.
Eligibility and Funding
Eligibility requirements and funding disbursement mandated through Motion 57, and the provision of the additional $5 million requires a multi-level award process. All eligible applicants will apply via one competition process.
Funding will be awarded as follows for Eligible Applicants:
| Round One | Round Two (if funds remain from Round 1) | Round Three |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Local Education Agencies (LEAs) (Districts and Independent Charter Schools) eligible for Sparsity Aid under Wis Stat 115.436 | All Wisconsin Public School LEAs (Districts and Independent Charter Schools) |
Wisconsin LEAs (Districts and Independent Charter Schools) Community Based Organizations (CBOs) |
Applicants may choose the amount of funding, from the available tiers, necessary to implement their action plan. The funding tiers are based upon student enrollment, or in the case of CBOs number of students to be served. Each tier provides a minimum and a maximum amount of funding. Applicants will need to demonstrate, through their application, that the amount of funding requested is reasonable and necessary and commensurate with their action plan.
Project Period
December 1, 2022 - September 30, 2024
These are one time funds that must be expended by 9/30/24
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Grant Writing Webinars |
|
| Grant Applications Due |
October 14, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. |
All applications must be submitted via the application portal by the due date and time noted above. Applications must be complete in order to be reviewed.
Application Materials
We are no longer accepting applications.
-
Application (Word Copy) - This copy of the ESSER III OST grant application is for preparation purposes only. Applications submitted in Word will not be considered for funding.
Additional Resources
- ESSER III OST Grant - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- ESSER III Out-of-School Time (OST) Grant Sequence and Timeline
- Building and Using Evidence in Summer, Afterschool and other out-of-school time settings from the Institute of Education Sciences - This website provides information and tools that will be helpful to both completing your application and in implementing your program.
Grant Writing Resources
For questions about this information, contact ESSER3ost@dpi.wi.gov