The Alternative Fund Use Authority (AFUA) allows Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA)-eligible Local Education Agencies (LEAs) greater flexibility in spending funds they receive under Title II-A and Title IV-A to best address the LEA’s particular needs. LEAs are strongly encouraged to consider how funds used under AFUA can support implementation and strengthening of their local education plans. The LEA may use Federal program funds, in support of other allowable Federal program activities, referred to as “alternative uses”. Specifically, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Sec. 5211(c), permits the LEA to use all or part of the formula funds the LEA receives for Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A funds to pay for activities under any of the allowable uses for SRSA grant funds which includes:

1. Title I, Part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs)
2. Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction)
3. Title III (Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students)
4. Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment); and
5. Title IV, Part B (21st Century Community Learning Centers).

When an LEA notifies the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) they intend to exercise AFUA, the Title II-A and/or Title IV-A formula funds no longer follow the rules and requirements of Title II-A and/or Title IV-A, instead the funds exercised under AFUA follow the rules and requirements of SRSA funds.

The LEA is not bound to the rules or requirements for any of the above Federal programs if the LEA determines to carry out local activities authorized by one of these programs (see section III-F-5 in the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) Informational Document). For example, an LEA using AFUA on its Title IV, Part A funds would not be subject to the Title IV, Part A content area spending requirements in Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) section 4106 (e)(2)(C)-(E), which require that an LEA that receives a Title IV, Part A allocation of at least $30,000 to spend at least 20% of the funds on “well-rounded education,” at least 20% of the funds on “safe and healthy students,” and some portion of the funds on “effective use of technology”.

• Nevada Rural Designations FFY27
• Funding Application Instructions for LEAs Exercising AFUA.
• SRSA Allowable Uses of Funds
• FAQ for dual-eligible LEAs

All LEAs in Nevada who are SRSA-eligible are allowed to exercise AFUA. This information can be found on the Master Eligibility Spreadsheet (MES)* which the United States Department of Education (USED) makes available annually. The MES details which Nevada LEAs are eligible for the SRSA program. If an LEA is SRSA eligible, even if their final allocation is $0, those LEAs are allowed to exercise AFUA. If an LEA is dual eligible and chooses the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) grant, those LEAs are allowed to exercise AFUA. If an LEA is dual eligible and chooses the SRSA grant, those LEAs are also allowed to exercise AFUA.

*Master Eligibility Spreadsheet (MES) (External Site Download)