2024 Dual Credit Program Grants

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) is soliciting proposals from Kentucky’s public universities, the 16 Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) campuses and the member institutions of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) for grants of up to $5,000 to support dual credit programs focused on supporting students participating in and taking dual credit courses and transitioning to postsecondary courses. These funds are made available to support new and/or existing efforts or expand the depth and scope of dual credit programs and their implementation efforts currently supported across the state. An additional award up to $1,000 may be requested for student transportation provided in partnership with the local school district.

These funds should be considered seed or preparation program funds to prepare for the institution's 2024 Dual Credit Bridge Programming and Dual Credit Programs that will take place in the spring, summer and/or fall semesters of 2024. This funding should be a collaborative effort between postsecondary institutions to host in-person “Dual Credit Bridge” programs for high school students in collaboration with K-12 partners.

Background

CPE established an ambitious goal to raise the percentage of adults with a postsecondary degree or credential to 60% by the year 2030. Achieving this goal is critical if Kentucky hopes to remain economically competitive with surrounding states and attract more high-skill, high-wage employers. To accomplish this goal, CPE prioritizes the “creation of opportunities for historically underrepresented populations to have equal access to and participate in educational programs.” Intentional efforts to expand existing or develop new bridge programs will help achieve the Council’s goals, mitigate the on-going impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and make postsecondary education more accessible to Kentucky’s students.

Dual Credit programming eases the transition to college and supports postsecondary success by providing students with the academic skills and social resources needed to succeed in a college environment. Reports from 2023 Dual Credit Bridge programs 2023 suggest positive outcomes.

Northern Kentucky University stated, “This made a big impact on our ability to deliver organized, effective, and meaningful experiences to our students and families. We are grateful for your support!”

Hazard Community & Technical College was able to expand the support for dual credit students. “This gave us an opportunity to pilot an expansion of these events to include high school dual credit SEEK students as well.”

Henderson Community College has seen positive indicators that they credit to Dual Credit Bridge programming, “...we have seen lower withdrawal rates at this point in the term.”

The dual credit “bridge” period begins as students express interest, complete a dual credit college application, and/or register for a dual credit course at a Kentucky 2-year or 4-year institution, and may extend throughout the first academic year. Although the content of dual credit bridge programs can vary across institutions and by the population served, the summer activities typically last from one day to six weeks and involve:

1. an orientation to college life and resources
2. academic and career advising
3. training in skills necessary for college success
4. accelerated academic coursework

Funding Opportunity

Funding is available from CPE through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The priority must be to provide the academic support necessary to improve college success and completion rates through dual credit program development and activities.

Program Outcomes

Purpose

For Students: The purpose of the bridge programs is to increase student understanding of dual credit basics, such as:

• applying for admission and eligibility requirements
• selecting and enrolling in appropriate courses
• completing courses using technology
• communicating with advisors and instructors
• transferring credits
• paying for courses, including available scholarships

For Institutions: The purpose of the bridge programs is to provide institutions of higher education the opportunity to:

• Communicate early with students
• Ensure students have strong start through Face-to-Face, on-campus orientation
• Orient students to college life
• Clarify postsecondary expectations (i.e., deadlines, self-advocacy, independent work, executive functioning)
• Explain admissions, course transferability, and how to access postsecondary advising, tutoring and/or support services

High Schools (optional pathway): The purpose of the bridge programs is to increase understanding of the high school’s roles and responsibilities related to dual credit, including:

• Admissions and eligibility requirements
• Advising students about courses and pathways
• Understanding the learning management system
• Communication expectations with advisors and instructors
• Transferability of credits
• Dual credit and work ready scholarships aligned to courses offered by IHE
• Applicable processes required by institution

Elements of Institutional Proposals

Postsecondary institutions are invited to submit proposals to develop or expand dual credit bridge programming with the intent of supporting the transition to postsecondary coursework. This funding should support students who plan to or are registered for dual credit courses.

Elements of the proposal may include some or all of the following :

• Promote face-to-face college readiness and transition skills, academic readiness skills, social and emotional resources and development and advising for dual credit students needed to succeed in a college environment
• Encourage students’ sociocultural adjustment to postsecondary education through community-building and developing a sense of campus belonging
• Provide opportunities for career exploration and planning with a focus on in-demand academic and career pathways
• Incorporate financial literacy topics such as college affordability, financial aid resources and opportunities, and personal finances
• Introduce students to the rigors of accelerated academic coursework
• Offer near-peer support from student staff members and/or volunteers
• Engage college and community partners such as employers, faculty, alumni, and community-based organizations
• Commit to ongoing support and incentives for participating students

Process

• One-day event(s) must be hosted on a college campus by one postsecondary institution or a group of postsecondary partners
• Postsecondary institutions are encouraged to collaborate with local high schools to promote student attendance at the event, including student permissions and/or transportation, as needed
• The postsecondary institution must be identified as the fiscal agent for the reimbursement grant
• Events must be completed by June 14, 2024
• Invoices for reimbursement must be submitted to CPE by June 21, 2024
• Student participants should be enrolled or be planning to enroll in a dual credit course during SY2024-25
• This opportunity is a reimbursement grant with CPE
• Institutions may request a total of up to $5,000; funds may be used for:
• Student materials, snacks, and incentives (not to exceed $20/student)
• Breakfast and/or lunch for participants (not to exceed $15/person)
• student academic resources, such as dual credit course fees, supplies, digital or print textbooks, assessments (excluding tuition)
• Staff travel and stipends
• An additional award up to $1,000 may be requested for student transportation provided in partnership with the local school district

Dual Credit Bridge Project proposals must include a narrative and a budget.

• Project narratives are limited to two (2) pages
• A budget template is provided

Projects will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis upon approval by CPE staff and based upon availability of funds. Proposals should include:

• The name of the institution/department
• Proposed outcomes
• A description of activities, targeted audience (staff, students), and partners
• A list of any fees to be charged to students, if applicable
• A timeline of activities
• How the success and sustainability of the event will be measured

Project budgets must include a clear, concise and cost-effective budget plan that includes reasonable per person expenditures.

Allowable Expenses

Below is a list of allowable expenses that project awards may fund:

• Personnel Compensation: Compensation would generally encompass a stipend or portion of salaries, wages and benefits of personnel, including, but not limited to, project director and support staff. Allowable compensation must be additional compensation that is not included as “regular salary” or included in the institutional budget.
• Equipment Usage and Consumable Supplies
• Student/Parent Meals and Snacks

• Facilities Rental

• Other Direct Costs: Approval of expenditures for Other Direct Costs is at the discretion of the proposal approval staff. These costs must be specifically identified and justified in the project budget. Student incentives for completion of Dual Credit Bridge programs are allowable (excluding cash awards or equivalents, such as gift cards - see “Funding Restrictions” below).
• Indirect costs: Indirect costs are not permitted.

Funding Restrictions

Contractor will not use grant funds for payments to executives, administrators nor can the contractor use funds to reimburse themselves for grants to students or expenses incurred prior to the effective date of this contract.

Contractor may not use funds for administrative overhead costs often referred to as indirect costs. Indirect costs will not be allowed.

Gift cards or cash equivalent gifts or incentives are not permitted.

Submission of Proposals

1. More information and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the recording of our webinar.
2. The session will be recorded and archived, and an FAQ document will be posted following the session, as needed.
3. Applicants must submit one complete electronic version of the proposal.
4. Narrative proposals should be no more than two pages in length, excluding the budget. This document should be written no smaller than single spaced, 12 point font, and 1” margins.
5. Proposals should include a tentative agenda for the event.
6. Proposals should have a completed budget (on the form provided in the application).
7. Proposals must be received by 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, March 4, 2024.
8. Submit your Dual Credit Bridge proposal to this Google Form: https://bit.ly/DCBridgeApp24

Evaluation of Proposals

Council staff will evaluate proposals in the order in which they are received for alignment to project goals and submission requirements. Following receipt of each proposal, CPE staff will evaluate and approve the proposal or reach out to program staff via email regarding any revisions that may be necessary. The number of grants awarded is contingent upon the limited funding available. The Council reserves the right, once an initial selection has been made, to negotiate the final terms of the agreement.

Award Notification

The number of grants awarded is contingent upon the limited funding available. Institutions will be notified in writing regarding the status of their proposal as they are received and reviewed. The Council reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals in whole or in part and to negotiate any or all aspects of a proposal. The Council bears no responsibility for any costs incurred while preparing any proposal.

Additional Requirements

All recipients of this funding will be required to identify the following for the dual credit bridge program:

• a financial point of contact who will ensure that reports and reimbursement invoices are submitted according to CPE policy and timelines.
• at least one programmatic point of contact who will oversee the implementation of the Dual Credit Bridge program and ensure that final reports are satisfactorily completed and submitted on time.

Reporting Schedule

At a minimum, one final program report shall be required and contain:

• Elements and outcomes of the institutional proposal listed above
• A description of the dual credit bridge program being implemented
• The number of students participating in or served by programming
• Course/Curriculum descriptions used in the program
• Specific types of academic or social/emotional support programming provided to students in the program
• Number of faculty and staff (including student mentors/peers) participating in the program
• Descriptions of the professional learning experiences provided to faculty and staff supporting the program
• Activities that occurred to date in implementing any dual credit bridge programming
• A summary of the institution’s evaluation process and data collection, to date
• Preparation events, details and outcomes

The final report shall also include a summary or projection of the institution's sustainability plan for dual credit bridge programming.

Final project report shall be submitted to CPE no later than June 14, 2024.

Additional updates may be requested by CPE.

Other Terms and Conditions

This is a reimbursement grant and any unexpended funds remaining after the expiration of the agreement will be forfeited by the institution. Reimbursement invoice requirements will be disseminated upon award. No extensions will be permitted.

The anticipated effective date of contracts resulting from this RFP is April 1, 2024, through June 14, 2024.

Grantees may be required to participate in activities related to an external evaluation process.

Ideas for Dual Credit Bridge Programming can be found at https://bit.ly/CPE-DCBridge.