Some grants lose funding the first year because the school or agency which was awarded the grant does not begin providing service in a timely manner.

• It must be a priority to hire quality staff quickly. You can not provide services without staff.
• You must set up your facilities immediately.
• You must begin serving students quickly. You still have to serve 120 veterans even if you do not get up and running for several months. It is imperative not to waste time after that funding letter arrives.
• You must meet your approved objectives even for the first year when you might have start-up delays. The fastest way to lose funding is to not meet your objectives.
• The Director should immediately form a relationship with the program officer in the U.S. Department of Education who watches over your program. They do not seek you out; you must seek them.
• You must immediately develop a good data base or record system. An electronic data base is important because all your data has to be submitted electronically to the U.S. Department of Education. USDE will provide a document that lists the precise fields of data which you must report and then you, or your technology people, can design your database.
• You must have copies of EDGAR and other regulations so you do not break the law as you begin running your program. There are regulations restricting budget spending and criteria to meet to assure eligibility of students, including financial income restrictions, and much more.

General Information | Grant Seekers | Important Concerns