Description

The purpose of AEFLA is to create a partnership among the federal government, states, and localities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and literacy activities, in order to—

1. assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
2. assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that—
   a. are necessary to becoming full partners in the educational development of their children; and
   b. lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
3. assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including through career pathways; and
4. assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in—
   a.    improving their—
          i.    reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; and
          ii.    mathematics skills; and
   b.   acquiring an understanding of the American system of government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) must use a competitive process to award eligible local providers/applicants subgrants for the development, implementation, and improvement of adult education and literacy activities within South Carolina. Each eligible provider receiving a subgrant must use the funding to establish or operate programs that provide adult education and literacy activities, including programs that provide such activities concurrently.

Program Office

Office of Adult Education

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants (i.e., eligible providers) are organizations that can prove evidence of demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy activities. Eligible applicants may include—

1. a local educational agency (LEA, i.e., school district);
2. a community-based organization or faith-based organization;
3. a volunteer literacy organization;
4. an institution of higher education;
5. a public or private nonprofit agency;
6. a library;
7. a public housing authority;
8. a nonprofit institution not described in any of items 1. through 7. that has the ability to provide adult education and literacy activities to eligible individuals;
9. a consortium or coalition of the agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or authorities described in any of items 1. through 8.; and
10. a partnership between an employer and an entity described in any of items 1. through 9.

See the Request for Proposals for more information on demonstrated effectiveness.

Total Funding Available

$450,000

Funding Detail

Approximately 15 subgrants will be awarded ranging from $5,000 to $60,000. Note: a 1:1 match is required.

Project Term

July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030

Application Due Date

March 31, 2025

Technical Assistance Session

The Office of Adult Education presented a pre-application technical assistance session on February 12, 2025. Email adultedgrants@ed.sc.gov for access to the recording.

Documents

Request for Proposals (DOCX, 3.71mb - 2/5/2025) 
Note: This Request for Proposals contains instructions for subgrant applications for the Adult Education program, Corrections Education program, Family Literacy program, and Integrated English Language/Civics Education program.

AEFLA Main Application Online Form 
Family Literacy Program Specific Attachments Online Form
AEFLA FY 2025-26 Budget Planning Form updated (XLSX, 36.6kb – 3/3/2025)
AEFLA Partners and Partnership Coordination (DOCX, 87.7kb – 1/31/2025)
2025-30 AEFLA Frequently Asked Questions (DOCX, 344.kb - 3/4/2025)
Partner Identification and Funding Request Form (DOCX, 85.9kb – 1/31/2025)
Past Effectiveness Chart (DOCX, 89.0kb – 1/31/2025)
Recruitment and Retention Action Plan (DOCX, 91.5kb – 1/31/2025)
Weekly Schedule (DOCX, 87.7kb – 1/31/2025)
Family Literacy Program Partner Verification Form (DOCX, 83.4kb – 1/31/2025)
Family Literacy One to One Match Verification Form (DOCX, 87.5kb – 1/31/2025)
Early Care and Education Career Pathway Site Information (PDF, 68.71kb – 1/31/2025)
Four Component Family Literacy Site Information (PDF, 1.90MB – 1/31/2025)
Reviewer’s Scoring Rubric (PDF 514.27kb – 2/4/2025)
Local Workforce Development Board Scoring Rubric (212.61 kb – 2/4/2025)
 

Program Web Page

Adult Education