Stronger Connections Grant (SCG)
About the Stronger Connection Grants
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) provides $1 billion in funding to State educational agencies (SEAs) to be distributed under Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The BSCA specifies that SEAs must make competitive subgrants to high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), as determined by the SEA, for activities to support safe and healthy students under section 4108 of the ESEA. The Department has designated BSCA section 4108 funds as the Stronger Connections grant program to distinguish it from the regular Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) received a total allocation of $17,246,895 for a three-year performance period, ending on September 30, 2025. SEAs must use at least 95 percent of Stronger Connections funds to make awards on a competitive basis to high-need LEAs, as determined by the SEA, to support activities related to safe and healthy students under section 4108 of the ESEA and may reserve up to 5 percent of their allocation for State purposes. Specifically, an SEA may reserve up to 1 percent of its allocation for SEA administration of the program and may use any remaining reserved funds for State-level activities to support safe and healthy students.
The BSCA bill includes a requirement for SEAs to distribute funds on a competitive basis to “high-need” LEAs to implement allowable Title IV, Part A activities aligned with the Safe and Healthy Students program purpose.
Grantee Information
Application Process Resources
- Stronger Connections Grant Application (ZIP/XLSM)
- Stronger Connections PowerPoint Presentation - June 1, 2023 (PPT)
- Stronger Connections Grant Award Opportunity - Superintendent's Memo 091-23
- Stronger Connections Grant Award Package - Superintendent's Memo 091-23, Attachment A
Federal Guidance
- Public Law 117 - 159 - Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
- Bipartisan Safer Communities Act - Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Equitable Services to Private School Students
Under Section 8501 of Title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), private, nonprofit elementary and secondary school students, teachers, and other educational personnel are eligible to participate in federally-funded programs as authorized under the Act. Each school division is obligated to inform officials of private schools located within the division's boundary, that private, nonprofit elementary and secondary schools are eligible to participate on an equitable basis.
Refer to Title VIII: General Provisions for more information.