Purpose

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has set aside a portion of the South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act of 2005 (EEDA) funds for the Preparing College- and Career-Ready Graduates Competitive Grants to help schools implement evidence-based strategies and/or models specifically designed to address the academic and career development needs of students with academic deficiencies so that, upon completing high school, these students meet the criteria defined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate codified by the General Assembly in Act 195 (2016).

Program Office

Office of Career Services

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are SC school districts proposing to serve students in grades 3–12 who are at risk.

A district may submit one or more applications that propose to serve a cohort of students in grades 3–12 attending elementary, middle, junior high, and/or high schools. School districts with sites that currently receive EEDA grants funds may apply for funding to operate projects at new sites. However, priority will be given to school districts that currently do not receive funds. Districts may propose to serve up to three schools per application.

Total Funding Available

$1.5 million

Funding Detail

10 grants; award amounts will be determined based on the quality of applications received and total funding requested.

Project Term

July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027

Application Due Date

January 16, 2026

Technical Assistance Session

The SCDE's Office of Career Services presented a pre-application technical assistance webinar on November 19, 2025. Contact Tiffany Dorsey for a link to the recording. 

Documents

Request for Proposals (DOCX, 1.27mb - 11/3/2025)
Online Application
Budget Forecast and Narrative (XLSX, 20kb - 11/3/2025)

Program Web Page

EEDA College- and Career-Ready Graduates