Online Consolidation Application available in April

South Dakota is moving into the electronic age with its Consolidated Application process. In March, a small group of school districts across the state will test the new e-grant system. Following the test period, the department expects to open up the online Consolidated Application to all school districts sometime in April.  

“Because this is a brand-new system, we know that we will have some challenges,” said Dr. Rick Melmer, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education. “This test-period will give us a chance to work out some of those kinks.”

An electronic grant system should result in a number of benefits to schools, including the following:

• The e-grant system is expected to improve the turnaround time for approval of applications. The electronic system will help to ensure that information being provided via the application is complete. It also allows for interaction between schools and state-level program representatives as schools fill out the application. Both of these features should reduce the amount of follow-up required once an application has been submitted.

• The e-grant system also should make it easier for schools to budget. With the e-grant process, the district’s fund balances will be preprogrammed into the system. The system will not allow an application to be sent if the budget has exceeded the preprogrammed amount.

• Finally, the e-grant system will eliminate paperwork.