Office of Educational Services & Support

21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Application:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 21st Century Community Learning Center?

A Community Learning Center is an entity within a public elementary, middle or secondary school building, or equally accessible and available building, that (1) provides educational, recreational, health, and social service programs for students from high poverty schools and the families of those students within a local community, and (2) is operated by the grantee in conjunction with local governmental agencies, businesses, vocational education programs, institutions of higher education, community colleges, local educational agencies (LEA), and cultural, recreational, and other community and human service entities. An LEA—usually synonymous with a school district—is an entity that is legally responsible within a state for providing public education to elementary and secondary students. The full definition of this term is set out in section 9101(26) of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Who is eligible to receive grants?

Eligible applicants are those who primarily serve students (and the families of those students) that attend high poverty schools or schools that are eligible for schoolwide Title I programs. 21st Century Community Learning Centers Programs must by statutory definition be located in public school facilities or in facilities that are at least as available and accessible to the students to be served as if the program were located in an elementary, middle, or secondary school. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the statutory program requirements of primarily serving students from:

1. Schools eligible for schoolwide Title I programs; or
2. Schools with 40% or greater poverty based upon free and reduced lunch numbers as determined using verified information.