In FY 2026, the Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) solicited applications in support of the administration of the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Secretary of Education (Secretary).
Administered by DOL’s Employment and Training Administration on behalf of ED, the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program is fully aligned with America’s Talent Strategy and the reindustrialization agenda of the Trump Administration. As described in the March 16, 2026 Dear Colleague letter, ED and DOL developed this partnership through an interagency agreement to better employment and earnings outcomes for postsecondary students.
Program Description
The purpose of the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program is to advance systemic and sustainable solutions to student basic needs insecurity through support programs that address the basic needs of students and to report on practices that improve outcomes for students.
FY 2026 Applicant Information
Pre-Application Webinar
FY 2026 Pre-Application Technical Assistance Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
Who May Apply
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education (IHEs) (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)(20 U.S.C. 1001)), consortia or systems of eligible IHEs, and public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies. An applicant that is applying as a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing:
- Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- A statement from a state taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual.
- A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or
- Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
Note: State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies are eligible as public agencies.
Funding
FY 2026 Funding
- Appropriations: $10,000,000
- Type of Award: Discretionary grants
- Estimated Available Funds: $10,000,000
- Estimated Range of Awards: $1,000,000-$5,000,000 for the 48-month project period
- Average Award: $1,000,000 for the 48-month project period
- Maximum Annual Award: $5,000,000 for the 48-month project period
- Estimated number of awards: 2-10
- Project Period: 48 months
Legislation
- Program authority: 20 U.S.C. 1138-1138d; the Explanatory Statement accompanying Division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. 119-75).
Applicable Regulations
- The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99.
- Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
- Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.
- The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.
- The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) 2025 Supplemental Priorities.
Performance Reports
Grantees under this program must ensure that they have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170. This does not apply if a grantee has an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
At the end of the project period, grantees must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If a grantee receives a multiyear award, the grantee must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c).
Grantees submit reports through the FIPSE Grant Database. The Department provides grantees with the required password and other information needed to access the FIPSE database system. The database also includes a publicly accessible searchable catalog of abstracts of projects funded under OPE's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education programs..
Performance Measures
ED developed the following program performance indicators to evaluate the overall effectiveness of this program. These measures constitute the indicators of success for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant under this program to give careful consideration to these measures in conceptualizing the approach and evaluation for its proposed project. If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your project's annual performance report (34 CFR §75.590).
- Program Performance Measure 1: The percentage of low-income students at the institution(s) served by any direct student service supported by the grant.
- Program Performance Measure 2: The annual persistence rate at the institution(s) for all students who are served by any direct student service supported by the grant.
- Program Performance Measure 3: By the end of the grant period, the rate of degree or certificate completion at the institution(s) for all students served by any direct student service supported by the grant.
- Program Performance Measure 4: The change in the level of basic needs insecurity among all students served by any direct student service supported by the grant, measured before and after implementation of the grant.
- Note: For purposes of Program Performance Measure 4, “low-income student” means a student:
- Who is eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination is made; or
- Who would otherwise be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination is made, except that the student fails to meet the requirements of section 484(a)(5) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(5), because the student is in the United States for a temporary purpose.
- Note: For purposes of Program Performance Measure 4, “low-income student” means a student:
Past Awards
FY 2024
- Project Abstracts: FY 2024 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
- Total appropriation: $10,000,000
- New competition: Yes
- Funded down the FY 2023 slate of new awards: No
- Total new award funding: $9,704,876.00
- Cut-off score for funding: 109.67 (total points possible-110)
- Number of new awards: 11
- Individual Development Grant Awards: 11
- Cooperative Development Grant Awards: 0 (not offered in the 2024 competition)
- Average new award: $882,261 (total funding for 3-year performance period)
- Number of continuation awards: N/A (Awards under this program are front-loaded.)
Total continuation funding: N/A
FY 2023
- Project Abstracts: FY 2023 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
- Total appropriation: $10,000,000
- New competition: No
- Funded down the FY 2022 slate of new awards: Yes
- Total new award funding: $9,993,637.00
- Cut-off score for funding: 109.5 (total points possible-110)
- Number of new awards: 11
- Individual Development Grant Awards: 11
- Cooperative Development Grant Awards: 0 (not offered in the 2022 competition)
- Average new award: $908,512.00 (total 3-year award)
- Number of continuation awards: N/A (Awards under this program are front-loaded.)
- Total continuation funding: N/A
FY 2022
- Project Abstracts: FY 2022 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
- Total appropriation: $8,000,000.00
- New competition: Yes
- Total new award funding: $7,45,727,609
- Cut-off score for funding: 110 (total points possible-110)
- Number of new awards: 8
- Individual Development Grant Awards: 8
- Cooperative Development Grant Awards: 0 (not offered in 2022)
- Average new award: $938,267.00 (total 3-year award)
- Number of continuation awards: N/A (Awards under this program are front-loaded.)
- Total continuation funding: N/A
FY 2021
- Project Abstracts: FY 2021 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
- Total appropriation: $5,000,000.00
- New competition: Yes
- Total new award funding: $4,941,916.00
- Cut-off score for funding: 110.00 (total points possible-110)
- Number of new awards: 6
- Individual Development Grant Awards: 6
- Cooperative Development Grant Awards: 0 (not offered in 2021)
- Average new award: $823,652.00 (total 3-year award)
- Number of continuation awards: N/A (Awards under this program are front-loaded.)
- Total continuation funding: N/A
In FY 2026, the Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) solicited applications in support of the administration of the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Secretary of Education (Secretary).
Administered by DOL’s Employment and Training Administration on behalf of ED, the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program is fully aligned with America’s Talent Strategy and the reindustrialization agenda of the Trump Administration. As described in the March 16, 2026 Dear Colleague letter, ED and DOL developed this partnership through an interagency agreement to better employment and earnings outcomes for postsecondary students.
Program Description
The purpose of the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program is to advance systemic and sustainable solutions to student basic needs insecurity through support programs that address the basic needs of students and to report on practices that improve outcomes for students.
FY 2026 Applicant Information
Pre-Application Webinar
FY 2026 Pre-Application Technical Assistance Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
Who May Apply
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education (IHEs) (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)(20 U.S.C. 1001)), consortia or systems of eligible IHEs, and public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies. An applicant that is applying as a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing:
- Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- A statement from a state taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual.
- A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or
- Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
Note: State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies are eligible as public agencies.
Funding
FY 2026 Funding
- Appropriations: $10,000,000
- Type of Award: Discretionary grants
- Estimated Available Funds: $10,000,000
- Estimated Range of Awards: $1,000,000-$5,000,000 for the 48-month project period
- Average Award: $1,000,000 for the 48-month project period
- Maximum Annual Award: $5,000,000 for the 48-month project period
- Estimated number of awards: 2-10
- Project Period: 48 months
Legislation
- Program authority: 20 U.S.C. 1138-1138d; the Explanatory Statement accompanying Division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. 119-75).
Applicable Regulations
- The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99.
- Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
- Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.
- The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.
- The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) 2025 Supplemental Priorities.
Performance Reports
Grantees under this program must ensure that they have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170. This does not apply if a grantee has an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
At the end of the project period, grantees must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If a grantee receives a multiyear award, the grantee must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c).
Grantees submit reports through the FIPSE Grant Database. The Department provides grantees with the required password and other information needed to access the FIPSE database system. The database also includes a publicly accessible searchable catalog of abstracts of projects funded under OPE's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education programs..
Performance Measures
ED developed the following program performance indicators to evaluate the overall effectiveness of this program. These measures constitute the indicators of success for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant under this program to give careful consideration to these measures in conceptualizing the approach and evaluation for its proposed project. If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your project's annual performance report (34 CFR §75.590).
- Program Performance Measure 1: The percentage of low-income students at the institution(s) served by any direct student service supported by the grant.
- Program Performance Measure 2: The annual persistence rate at the institution(s) for all students who are served by any direct student service supported by the grant.
- Program Performance Measure 3: By the end of the grant period, the rate of degree or certificate completion at the institution(s) for all students served by any direct student service supported by the grant.
- Program Performance Measure 4: The change in the level of basic needs insecurity among all students served by any direct student service supported by the grant, measured before and after implementation of the grant.
- Note: For purposes of Program Performance Measure 4, “low-income student” means a student:
- Who is eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination is made; or
- Who would otherwise be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination is made, except that the student fails to meet the requirements of section 484(a)(5) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(5), because the student is in the United States for a temporary purpose.
- Note: For purposes of Program Performance Measure 4, “low-income student” means a student:
Past Awards
FY 2024
- Project Abstracts: FY 2024 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
- Total appropriation: $10,000,000
- New competition: Yes
- Funded down the FY 2023 slate of new awards: No
- Total new award funding: $9,704,876.00
- Cut-off score for funding: 109.67 (total points possible-110)
- Number of new awards: 11
- Individual Development Grant Awards: 11
- Cooperative Development Grant Awards: 0 (not offered in the 2024 competition)
- Average new award: $882,261 (total funding for 3-year performance period)
- Number of continuation awards: N/A (Awards under this program are front-loaded.)
Total continuation funding: N/A
FY 2023
- Project Abstracts: FY 2023 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
- Total appropriation: $10,000,000
- New competition: No
- Funded down the FY 2022 slate of new awards: Yes
- Total new award funding: $9,993,637.00
- Cut-off score for funding: 109.5 (total points possible-110)
- Number of new awards: 11
- Individual Development Grant Awards: 11
- Cooperative Development Grant Awards: 0 (not offered in the 2022 competition)
- Average new award: $908,512.00 (total 3-year award)
- Number of continuation awards: N/A (Awards under this program are front-loaded.)
- Total continuation funding: N/A
FY 2022
- Project Abstracts: FY 2022 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
- Total appropriation: $8,000,000.00
- New competition: Yes
- Total new award funding: $7,45,727,609
- Cut-off score for funding: 110 (total points possible-110)
- Number of new awards: 8
- Individual Development Grant Awards: 8
- Cooperative Development Grant Awards: 0 (not offered in 2022)
- Average new award: $938,267.00 (total 3-year award)
- Number of continuation awards: N/A (Awards under this program are front-loaded.)
- Total continuation funding: N/A
FY 2021
- Project Abstracts: FY 2021 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
- Total appropriation: $5,000,000.00
- New competition: Yes
- Total new award funding: $4,941,916.00
- Cut-off score for funding: 110.00 (total points possible-110)
- Number of new awards: 6
- Individual Development Grant Awards: 6
- Cooperative Development Grant Awards: 0 (not offered in 2021)
- Average new award: $823,652.00 (total 3-year award)
- Number of continuation awards: N/A (Awards under this program are front-loaded.)
- Total continuation funding: N/A