NEF provides Matching Grants to Title I School Districts/Schools to secure $750 Million Interest Free Federal Funds

February 7, 2014

McLean, VA

National Education Foundation (NEF), the national non-profit leader in bridging the academic and STEM+ divides in the nation’s schools, announced today that it will help Title I school districts/schools to secure about $750 million available across the country in Federal Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) for Title I districts and/or schools with 35% free/reduced meal students. These are NO INTEREST bonds (loans) for up to 20 years. The Federal government pays interest. See www.qzab.org.

A school district/school can spend the QZAB funds on curriculum, teacher training, renovations, equipment, technology, energy efficiency or renewable energy. Used for energy projects, QZAB loans  can become grants.

At the request of the U.S. Education Department, NEF will provide the Federally-mandated 10% match donation in terms of high quality personalized learning courses including Pearson SuccessMaker (K-8), Pearson GradPoint (9-12) and Skillsoft IT, Business and Desktop (Career Tech, Adult Education).

NEF’s academy partner, the acclaimed State University of New York (SUNY) will assist the school districts/schools in setting up the Federally-mandated academy. NEF’s STEM+ academy students advanced a grade level in a subject such as math in 24 learning hours in the CyberLearning Total Solution System during the 2012-13 school year.

A school district/school  may be able to apply for any amount of QZAB from its state education department, See www.qzab.org for the state allocations.  NEF has given matching grants for up to $40 million in QZAB for a district.

Every QZAB district, accepting the NEF match, will receive free digital literacy course for all its 8th graders, thus enabling them to pass the NCLB-mandated digital literacy test.  Such a district will also receive free IT/Business/Desktop training courses for teachers and parents. These teacher and parent academy programs are aimed at involving the teachers and parents in the QZAB academy program.

NEF Chairman Dr. Appu Kuttan, the recognized national expert in QZAB and STEM education, and NEF Vice President and former NASD national president Supt. Art Stellar have been assisting several school districts across the U.S. with their QZAB applications. The application process is simple. Interested school districts/schools can contact Dr. Kuttan or Dr. Stellar at qzab@qzab.org or 703-823-9999.