CTSO Grant Application Guidelines

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) invites eligible state Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) to apply for federal Perkins V funding to support programs that enhance student leadership, career readiness, and workforce development. This grant opportunity provides funding for approved CTSO activities that align with Perkins V objectives and contribute to positive student outcomes. Organizations seeking funding must complete the application process, meet eligibility requirements, and maintain compliance with federal and state grant regulations throughout the funding period.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring:

All questions are answered accurately in the online electronic system.
All required documentation is uploaded correctly in the online electronic system.
Application is compliant with Perkins V, adheres to supplement-not-supplant rule, and funds received will only support allowable activities

The online electronic submission system may be accessed here:https://scde.formstack.com/forms/career_and_technical_student_organizations_ctso_perkins_v_state_leadership_grant_application

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) State Leadership Grant Application are due annually on August 1^st.

To help you prepare and submit a complete application, a list of application questions, required supporting documentation, and the scoring criteria used to evaluate applications is provided below.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)State Leadership Grant Application Questions

SECTION 1: APPLICANT INFORMATION (10 Points)

Purpose: Verify eligibility and compliance

Organization Legal Name
Address (as listed with SAM.gov)
Primary Contact Full Name/Title>/li>
Contact Email & Phone
Unique Entity Identified (UEI) Number (as provided by SAM.gov)
Nonprofit Organization Status Documentation
List of Board Members
List of Student Officers

Scoring Criteria:

Eligibility and completeness (5pts)
Compliance Assurances (5 pts)

Please note:

To be eligible to receive this grant, the CTSO must be registered in SAM.gov AND possess a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registrations must be active, publicly viewable, and remain active throughout the grant period.

SECTION 2: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION & ALIGNMENT (20 points)

Provide a narrative addressing:

Overview of the CTSO
History (national and state presence)
Alignment to Career Clusters and CTE programs of study
Explanation of how CTSO is integrated into instruction (co-curricular, not extracurricular)

Scoring Criteria:

Strong, clear alignment to CTE programs (7 pts)
Evidence of instructional integration (7 pts)
Quality and clarity of program model (6 pts)

SECTION 3: USE OF FUNDS & BUDGET JUSTIFICATION (20 Points)

Purpose: Evaluate allowability and alignment

A. Budget Summary Provide:

Total Request Amount
Administrative Costs (must be ≤5%)
Detailed line-item budget

B. Budget Justification Narrative
Provide a narrative explaining how funds will:

Improve CTE program quality
Align to Perkins V allowable uses
Increase membership and student success

C. Allowability Assurances
Ensure that:

Funds are supplemental (not supplanting)
Funds will not be used for prohibited costs
Costs are integral for the CTSO to support CTE instruction

Scoring Criteria:

Clear and reasonable budget (10 pts)
Strong alignment to Perkins V uses (5 pts)
Compliance with allowability rules (5 pts)

Please note:
Applicant must verify that funds provided in this grant are supplemental (not supplanting), will not be used for prohibited costs, and are integral to CTE instruction.

SECTION 4: STUDENT IMPACT & OUTCOMES (20 Points)

Purpose:Prioritize measurable impact

Provide:

Number of students served (current and projected)
Expected impact on:
- Industry certification and/or technical skills attainment
- Leadership development
- Academic achievement
Membership growth/sustainability strategies

Scoring Criteria:

Clear, measurable outcomes (8 pts)
Strong focus on student impact (8 pts)
Membership growth strategies (4 pts)

SECTION 5: PARTNERSHIPS & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT (10 Points)

Purpose: Assess collaboration strength

Provide:

List of partners (industry, postsecondary, etc.)
Description of partnerships and roles
Evidence of business and industry engagement

Scoring Criteria:

Depth and quality of partnerships (5 pts)
Relevance to program outcomes (5 pts)

SECTION 6: PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (10 Points)

Purpose: Ensure quality execution

Provide:

Description of planned activities (instructional focus)
Student leadership development activities
Timeline of key activities (including dates and locations)

Scoring Criteria:

Strong implementation plan (10 pts)

SECTION 7: ADVISOR SUPPORT & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (5 Points)

Purpose: Strengthen leadership capacity

Provide a narrative addressing:

Description of chapter advisor professional development
Communication plan with chapter advisors

Scoring Criteria:

Quality of PD plan (3 pts)
Communication systems (2 pts)

SECTION 8: PROGRAM DATA (5 Points)

Purpose: Capture relevant data from previous academic year

Provide:

Key performance indicators (conference attendance, number of active chapters, number of students qualifying for national conference, students serving as national officers, etc.)

Scoring Criteria:

Comprehensive and clear program data provided (5 pts)

SECTION 9: ASSURANCES & CERTIFICATIONS (Required)

Applicants must certify:

Compliance with Perkins V
Adherence to supplement-not-supplant rule
Agreement to reporting requirements
Funds will only support allowable activities

Authorized Signature: _______________________________ Date: __________________