Title II Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and Answers about the Title II Grant Program
Are conferences sponsored by a religious group covered by the Title II grant?
Yes.
- The grant can only pay the secular percentage of the costs.
- The conference must also be part of the secular training plan for the private school teacher.
FCPS will contact the conference organizer to determine the percentage of secular versus non-secular content.
Can FCPS reimburse the private school for expenses related to an approved training?
No.
Public school districts cannot repay private schools for costs related to approved training. Public school districts can only repay the private school educator for approved costs.
A teacher would like to attend training in Denver, where her sister lives. The teacher would like to stay with her sister instead of the conference hotel. Can Title II funds pay the conference registration and other costs related to this travel?
Maybe.
FCPS needs more information about the training and travel costs. Is this training in the school’s Equitable Service Agreement? Is this training offered locally? Is this training the most cost-effective option?
A best practice is to use fewer federal dollars toward travel expenses. FCPS will consider the value of the training vs. the costs associated with the travel. The grant does not allow excessive and unnecessary travel costs.
Private schools must follow government travel policies. If the travel is approved, the teacher can only travel at most a day before and a day after the conference.
Who can serve as the official representative for the private school?
The principal is the representative of the private school.
The principal may choose another school leader to serve as the representative. A school leader can include an assistant principal or a director.
Can a teacher email FCPS requesting use of grant funds to attend a training?
No.
Only the school’s representative can request the use of grant funds for training.
The representative approves the request at the school first. Then, forwards the request for FCPS to approve. FCPS may contact the teacher for information.
May private schools within Fairfax County “pool” their funds for training activity?
Yes.
Independent private schools can “pool” their grant funds together to purchase training. If “pooling” funds together, each school must agree to the training and who will manage the activity.
Catholic schools in Fairfax County can “pool” their grant funds together to cover the costs of a joint training activity. However, it is acceptable for a Catholic school to choose not to “pool” its funds with the other schools.
Funds cannot be pooled across schools outside of Fairfax County.
A teacher is asking to drive to a training that will require several days of travel. The teacher is also asking for a hotel suite because their family is traveling with them. Can Title II funds be used to pay for this training?
No.
Title II funds are public funds and cannot be used to pay for personal travel.
Do not mix personal travel with travel for business.
Our school is considering a training package, but the cost is more than our grant award. Our school has the funds and can pay the amount over our grant award. Can we use our Title II funds to help pay for this training?
No.
Title II funds are supplemental and can only be used in the absence of funding. If your school can pay the difference, then you have not met the supplemental requirement of the grant.
FCPS Federal Grants Contacts