PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Education is supporting out-of-school time programs statewide. Such programs are encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) grants.

The learning centers will provide academic enrichment opportunities and activities during afterschool and summer programs to students from high-poverty and low-performing schools. Grant award amounts range from $50,000 to $300,000 per year. The length of a grant is five years. 

Funding comes from the federal government in the form of formula grants to the states. Programs that provide care for students outside of the normal school day are encouraged to apply.

The grant application will be online. Applicants must first submit a Notice of Intent to Apply to the South Dakota Department of Education by Jan. 31, 2024. Applicants will then receive the information needed to access the online system. The deadline for the full application is March 22, 2024.

While funds are often awarded to schools, other organizations are also eligible to apply. The grants must specifically support programs offered outside of regular school hours.

The Notice of Intent to Apply and guidelines for filling out the application are now available and can be found at https://doe.sd.gov/21CCLC/.