Mar 06, 2025

Secure Free funds with the Charter School Facility Assistance Program (CSFAP)

Intent to Apply and Eligibility Due Mon., March 17.

GAINS Application Due Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. 

For the most current updates, visit the CDE website here.

Eligible Applicants
  • Charter schools (authorized by a School District or the Colorado Charter School Institute) benefiting from these funds must meet the "federal definition of charter school" as defined in section 4310(2) of the ESEA. This definition of a “charter school,” requires that a school be a public school operated under public supervision and direction.
  • An eligible charter school must be serving students in the 2024-25 school year and is currently authorized by an “authorized public charter agency” as defined in section 4310(1) of the ESEA. In Colorado, an “authorized public charter agency” is either a school district or the Colorado Charter School Institute and will serve as the charter school’s fiscal agent.    
  • Enrollment policy includes a lottery if more students apply than can be admitted. 
  • Must qualify to receive state funds under the Charter School Capital Construction (CSCC) Program. Online charter schools are not eligible for federal or state facility programs. 
Program Deadlines
  • Intent to Apply and Eligibility Due Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
  • GAINS Application Due Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. 
Available Funds

$11,025,000.00 is available for the 2024-2025 federal fiscal year for eligible charter schools using a per-pupil formula.  Funds must be expended by Tuesday, September 30, 2025. There will be no carryover of funds.

Available federal funds in subsequent years will decrease over time as state match increases in the state facility aid program (Charter School Capital Construction Program). Available federal funds will be the following:

  • October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025: $11,025,000
  • October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026: $ 9,800,000
  • October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027: $ 7,350,000
  • October 1, 2027 – September 30, 2028: $ 4,900,000
  • October 1, 2028 – September 30, 2029: $ 2,450,000
Matching Funds

Under section 4304(k)(2)(C) of the ESEA, Colorado must provide a state share of the total cost for the SFIG program. In 2024, the Colorado General Assembly authorized additional state funds ($65.5 Million) to the Charter School Capital Construction (CSCC) Program over the school years 2024-25 through 2028-29 to meet the state share requirement for this award through the passage of House Bill 24-1448.

NOTE: Eligible charter schools that receive funds under this federal program will use their state CSCC funds in accordance with federal and state compliance.

Allowable Use of Funds

A charter school that receives funds under the program shall use the funds for facilities in accordance with section 4304(k) of the ESEA. This program is a reimbursement program, which means awardees will be reimbursed following proof of expenditures on allowable, approved activities. The performance period for allowable activities will be from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

  • Rent.
  • Purchase of building or land.
  • Construction meaning -
    • Preparing drawings and specifications for school facilities projects;
    • Repairing, renovating, or altering school facilities;
    • Extending school facilities;
    • Erecting or building school facilities; and
    • Inspections or supervision related to school facilities.
  • Renovation of an existing school facility.
  • Leasehold improvements.
  • Debt service on a school facility.
Contact Us

For program questions, please email Kriselda Craven at [email protected].

For fiscal questions, please email Werner Hagemann at [email protected]. 

  

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