The Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) is designed to help rural districts that may lack the personnel and resources to compete effectively for Federal competitive grants. Historically, rural districts receive grant allocations in amounts that are too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes.

The U.S. Department of Education (USED) awards SRSA grants each year directly to eligible LEAs based on a statutory formula. SRSA program grantees must be small and rural, and LEAs must apply directly to the Department each year. An LEA may use its funds on a range of authorized activities and has the ability to use some or all of its ESEA Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A formula funds more flexibly under the Alternative Fund Use Authority (AFUA). For more information and resources please visit, Small, Rural School Achievement Program - Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

• The primary contact for the SRSA grant at USED is Eric Schulz and can be contacted at eric.schulz@ed.gov. When reaching out to USED, please CC reap@ed.gov.

Rural and Low-Income School Program (RLIS)

The RLIS program provides grant funds to rural LEAs that serve children from low-income families. Under RLIS, the U.S. Department of Education awards funds to State Education Agencies (SEAs), which make sub-grants to LEAs. An SEA has the choice to award the RLIS grant funds to eligible LEAs via a formula or via a competition. The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) awards via a formula. RLIS funds support a range of authorized activities in order to assist students in meeting challenging State academic standards.

• The primary contact for the RLIS grant is Priya Miller, REAP State Director, priya.miller@doe.nv.gov.

The Alternative Fund Use Authority (AFUA)

The Alternative Fund Use Authority (AFUA) is a flexibility provision that allows eligible LEAs to flexibly spend Title II-A and Title IV-A allocations to carry out local activities.

• For technical assistance for AFUA please reach out to the REAP State Director, Priya Miller at priya.miller@doe.nv.gov.

In Nevada, school districts are coterminous with county borders, which is why there are only seventeen school districts or Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) defines a ‘rural LEA’ by utilizing the U.S. Census Bureau’s definition of rural which is informed by its definition of urban. A rural LEA in Nevada encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area. https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-06180/p-69.