May 14, 2025

ESEA Title Programs Update - Special Edition

Prior editions of the ESEA Update can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) ESEA Federal Title Programs webpage. "ICYMI" means "in case you missed it" and highlights when a topic is a repeat from a prior ESEA Update. 

In this Edition

• FFY25/SFY26 Preliminary Award Update - Title I, Part A
• ICYMI: SFY26 ESEA Consolidated Application

• ICYMI: McKinney-Vento Continuation Subgrant (FIN868) Applications Due June 20, 2025

• Upcoming Training Opportunities 

FFY25/SFY26 Preliminary Award Update - Title I, Part A

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the preliminary ESEA Title I, Part A (finance code 401) program awards for federal fiscal year 2025 (school year 2026) early on May 14. MDE has started the process to calculate local educational agency (LEA) awards and expects to load these into the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS) by the first week of June. 

Contact mde.ESEA@state.mn.us with questions. 

ICYMI: SFY26 ESEA Consolidated Application

The SFY26 ESEA Consolidated Application in the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS) is open for editing with no allocations loaded. Local educational agencies (LEAs) can begin work on the application, noting there are only three actions that are not possible while there are no dollars in the system: 

1. Transfers. LEAs cannot initiate transfers from Title II, Part A (FIN414) or Title IV, Part A (FIN433) until those awards are loaded. 
2. Enter a value greater than $0.00 in the budget. All object codes and categories can be entered and saved in preparation for loading dollar amounts as soon as funds are available. 
3. Calculate nonpublic equitable share. Since no funds are loaded, the "Nonpublic Equitable Share" tabs will not function in MEGS. LEAs are encouraged to use the Nonpublic Equitable Share Estimator to support timely conversations with nonpublic school leaders.

MDE encourages LEAs to start working on the narrative portions of the application in preparation for allocation loads in the next few weeks. The June 30 at 3 p.m. due date is still in effect. 

Student Access and Opportunity is offering four training sessions to support the completion of the SFY26 ESEA Consolidated Application: 

• Wednesday, May 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to noon
• Wednesday, June 25 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The MDE Student Access and Opportunity team will share updates as they are known. Contact MDE.ESEA@state.mn.us as questions arise. 

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ICYMI: McKinney-Vento Continuation Subgrant (FIN868) Applications Due June 20, 2025

MDE receives McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act funds from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and distributes them through a competitive, three-year grant cycle. The purpose of this grant is to improve the academic and school success of students experiencing homelessness. The most recent three-year grant cycle started in school year 2024-25 when MDE announced $1 million in federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act competitive grants to 22 districts and charter schools throughout Minnesota. Recipients are listed in a press release from August 2024.

The first year of the three-year grant cycle closes on June 30, 2025. Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) must obligate FY 2024-25 McKinney-Vento subgrant funds by that date. Subgrantees may not carry forward these funds into FY 2025-26.

The continuation grant applications for the 22 subgrantees is being prepared in the MEGS. The application will be available to the subgrantees by the end of May 2025. We invite any questions regarding the application and the submission. Please reach out to: Graham Hartley with any questions regarding the application.

If you or your district is not a McKinney-Vento subgrantee, you will not receive any additional communication regarding the application process.

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Upcoming Training Opportunities 

Join MDE Student Access and Opportunity staff for upcoming trainings. All links to join can be found on the MDE Calendar. There is no need to register unless otherwise noted.

ESEA Office Hours - ESEA Funding Topic

Join MDE Student Access and Opportunity Supervisor Alicia Waeffler throughout the month of May to seek clarification and engage in conversation related to the current status of federal ESEA Title program funding. All sessions run for 30 minutes, from 2:30 to 3 p.m.

• Join the ESEA Office Hours session on Wednesday, May 14.
• Join the ESEA Office Hours session on Friday, May 16.
• Join the ESEA Office Hours session on Tuesday, May 20.
• Join the ESEA Office Hours session on Thursday, May 22.

Completing the SFY26 ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS

Join MDE staff for an overview of the SY26 ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS. The SY26 timeline, requirements, and narrative questions will be included. Review how to create projects (see recorded session for an in-depth guide to writing projects) and how to enter budgets, including handling indirect cost. Learn tips and tricks for avoiding and resolving common consistency check messages. Links to recorded demonstrations and written guidance to support specific sections within the application will be shared. There is no need to register, email mde.esea@state.mn.us for a recording following the first session date on May 14. 

• Join the May 14 ESEA Application session from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Join the May 30 ESEA Application session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Join the June 9 ESEA Application session from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Join the June 25 ESEA Application session from 2 to 4 p.m.

English Learner (EL) Coordinator Webinar

The EL Coordinator webinars are monthly web events for new and experienced EL program leaders and coordinators in Minnesota. Monthly topics vary and are based on timely information from MDE. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions to EL education specialists and others from MDE during each webinar.

• Join the May 14 EL Coordinator session from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

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Language Access Plan

MDE will host a series of training sessions for district and charter schools during the 2024-25, school year. Based on changes in state law, districts and charter schools are required to adopt a Language Access Plan that specifies the district's process and procedures to render effective language assistance to students and adults who communicate in a language other than English. This Language Access Plan must be available to the public and included in the school’s handbook. District and charter school leaders should identify a team who will write the Language Access Plan for their district or charter to attend these training sessions.

• Join the May 15 Language Access Plan session from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Title I, Part A Targeted Assistance Program Essentials

Join MDE staff for an informative session on the essentials of Title I, Part A Targeted Assistance Programs. During this session, we'll cover the Targeted Assistance requirements and high-quality design. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and engage in discussion. This session is offered quarterly.

• Join the May 15 Title IA session from 1 to 2 p.m.

Title Tuesday

Learn about topics that apply to many ESEA Title programs. 

• Join the May 20 Title Tuesday session from 10 to 11 a.m.

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