Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education -- Postsecondary Student Success Grants Program (PSSG)

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education -- Postsecondary Student Success Grants Program (PSSG) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Education (administered by U.S. Department of Labor). This program aims to improve postsecondary student outcomes by leveraging data and implementing evidence-based strategies, including those that use AI technology to improve developmental education and create on-ramps to career pathways and workforce readiness through work-based …

Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program (84. 116M) | U.S. Department of Education Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program (84.

116M) Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) State Higher Education Agencies Estimated Total Grant Funding Expected Number Of Awards 06/29/2026 - 11:59 PM EDT Applicant Info and Eligibility The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) – Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Secretary of Education (Secretary).

The purpose of the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program is to equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, upward transfer, and completions of value, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data-driven decisions and actions that lead to credentials that support economic success and further education.

FY 2026 Application Information Application Notice and Instructions: FY 2026 Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program Application Available: May 28, 2026 Application Deadline: June 29, 2026, 11:59 p. m. (EDT) Application Tips and Technical Assistance Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 1 p.

m. (EDT) Institutions of Higher Education Consortium of institutions of higher education Statewide systems of higher education Public and private nonprofit agencies or organizations; or Any of the preceding entities in partnership with a non-profit or business.

FY 2026 Funding Information Estimated Total Grant Funding: $45,000,000 ($22,500,000 for Early Phase grants and $22,500,000 for Mid Phase grants) Expected Number of Awards: 6 in Early Phase; 3 in Mid Phase Award Ceiling: $4,000,000 for Early Phase and $8,000,000 for Mid Phase Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title VII, Part B The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008.

This law reauthorizes and extends the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The Higher Education Act (HEA) provides the statutory authority for most of the programs administered by OPE, as well as for the Federal Student Aid Programs. 2022: The Explanatory Statement accompanying Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 ( Pub.

L. 117-103 ). 2023 and 2024: House Report 117-403 and the Explanatory Statement accompanying Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 ( Pub.

L. 117-328 ). The 2024 Notice of Final Priorities (NFP), 89 FR 66225 , August 15, 2024.

There are no program-specific regulations. Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) , 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99 Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.

If you receive for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170. 110(b).

At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75. 118.

The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75. 720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please review the Grant Application and Other Forms page.

For the purpose of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.

110, the Department has established a set of required performance measures (as defined in this notice): First-year credit accumulation Annual retention (at initial institution) and persistence (at any institution) rates Success rates including graduation and upward transfer for two-year institutions Time to credential among completers Number of credentials conferred All measures should be disaggregated by Pell grant recipient status and should be inclusive of all credential-seeking students (e.g., full-time and part-time, first-time and transfer-in.)

For purposes of these performance measures, “credential” has the same meaning as “Recognized postsecondary credential. ” Project-Specific Performance Measures Applicants must propose project-specific performance measures and performance targets (both as defined in this notice) consistent with the objectives of the proposed project. Applications must provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.

110(b): Performance measures. How each proposed performance measure would accurately measure the performance of the project and how the proposed performance measure would be consistent with the performance measures established for the program funding the competition. Baseline (as defined in this notice) data.

(i) Why each proposed baseline is valid; or (ii) if the applicant has determined that there are no established baseline data for a particular performance measure, an explanation of why there is no established baseline and of how and when, during the project period, the applicant would establish a valid baseline for the performance measure. Performance targets.

Why each proposed performance target is ambitious yet achievable compared to the baseline for the performance measure and when, during the project period, the applicant would meet the performance target(s). Applications must also provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.

110(c): Data collection and reporting The data collection and reporting methods the applicant would use and why those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data; and The applicant's capacity to collect and report reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data, as evidenced by high-quality data collection, analysis, and reporting in other projects or research.

Depending on the nature of the intervention proposed in the application, common metrics may include the following: college-level math and English course completion in the first year (developmental education); unmet financial need (financial aid); program of study selection in the first year (advising); post-transfer completion (transfer); and re-enrollment (degree reclamation).

These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for an award under this program to consider the operationalization of the measures in conceptualizing the approach and evaluation for its proposed project. If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your project's annual performance report (34 CFR 75.

590).

Resources to Help Project Evaluations Meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Standards Evidence Tiers and WWC Ratings Technical Assistance Materials for Conducting Rigorous Impact Evaluations Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) - Applicant and Grantee Resources Eligibility Designations and Applications for Waiver of Eligibility Requirements Key Program Staff and Contact Information Find information about how to manage your grant Explore grants training and management resources and online grants training courses Additional applicant and grantee resources from the Office of Postsecondary Education Grant Awards: Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) – Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Secretary of Education (Secretary).

The purpose of the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program is to equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, upward transfer, and completions of value, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data-driven decisions and actions that lead to credentials that support economic success and further education.

Applicant Info and Eligibility FY 2026 Application Information Application Notice and Instructions: FY 2026 Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program Application Available: May 28, 2026 Application Deadline: June 29, 2026, 11:59 p. m. (EDT) Application Tips and Technical Assistance Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 1 p.

m. (EDT) Institutions of Higher Education Consortium of institutions of higher education Statewide systems of higher education Public and private nonprofit agencies or organizations; or Any of the preceding entities in partnership with a non-profit or business.

FY 2026 Funding Information Estimated Total Grant Funding: $45,000,000 ($22,500,000 for Early Phase grants and $22,500,000 for Mid Phase grants) Expected Number of Awards: 6 in Early Phase; 3 in Mid Phase Award Ceiling: $4,000,000 for Early Phase and $8,000,000 for Mid Phase Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title VII, Part B The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008.

This law reauthorizes and extends the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The Higher Education Act (HEA) provides the statutory authority for most of the programs administered by OPE, as well as for the Federal Student Aid Programs. 2022: The Explanatory Statement accompanying Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 ( Pub.

L. 117-103 ). 2023 and 2024: House Report 117-403 and the Explanatory Statement accompanying Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 ( Pub.

L. 117-328 ). The 2024 Notice of Final Priorities (NFP), 89 FR 66225 , August 15, 2024.

There are no program-specific regulations. Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) , 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99 Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.

If you receive for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170. 110(b).

At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75. 118.

The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75. 720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please review the Grant Application and Other Forms page.

For the purpose of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.

110, the Department has established a set of required performance measures (as defined in this notice): First-year credit accumulation Annual retention (at initial institution) and persistence (at any institution) rates Success rates including graduation and upward transfer for two-year institutions Time to credential among completers Number of credentials conferred All measures should be disaggregated by Pell grant recipient status and should be inclusive of all credential-seeking students (e.g., full-time and part-time, first-time and transfer-in.)

For purposes of these performance measures, “credential” has the same meaning as “Recognized postsecondary credential. ” Project-Specific Performance Measures Applicants must propose project-specific performance measures and performance targets (both as defined in this notice) consistent with the objectives of the proposed project. Applications must provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.

110(b): Performance measures. How each proposed performance measure would accurately measure the performance of the project and how the proposed performance measure would be consistent with the performance measures established for the program funding the competition. Baseline (as defined in this notice) data.

(i) Why each proposed baseline is valid; or (ii) if the applicant has determined that there are no established baseline data for a particular performance measure, an explanation of why there is no established baseline and of how and when, during the project period, the applicant would establish a valid baseline for the performance measure. Performance targets.

Why each proposed performance target is ambitious yet achievable compared to the baseline for the performance measure and when, during the project period, the applicant would meet the performance target(s). Applications must also provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.

110(c): Data collection and reporting The data collection and reporting methods the applicant would use and why those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data; and The applicant's capacity to collect and report reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data, as evidenced by high-quality data collection, analysis, and reporting in other projects or research.

Depending on the nature of the intervention proposed in the application, common metrics may include the following: college-level math and English course completion in the first year (developmental education); unmet financial need (financial aid); program of study selection in the first year (advising); post-transfer completion (transfer); and re-enrollment (degree reclamation).

These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for an award under this program to consider the operationalization of the measures in conceptualizing the approach and evaluation for its proposed project. If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your project's annual performance report (34 CFR 75.

590).

Resources to Help Project Evaluations Meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Standards Evidence Tiers and WWC Ratings Technical Assistance Materials for Conducting Rigorous Impact Evaluations Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) - Applicant and Grantee Resources Eligibility Designations and Applications for Waiver of Eligibility Requirements Key Program Staff and Contact Information Find information about how to manage your grant Explore grants training and management resources and online grants training courses Additional applicant and grantee resources from the Office of Postsecondary Education Grant Awards: Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program Associated Federal Register Notice Federal Register Notice: FY 2026 Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program Co… Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Page Last Reviewed: June 10, 2026