School Counselor Corps Grant Program (SCCGP) Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

SCCG Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Grant Basics

• Who can apply?
  • Local Education Providers (LEPs) including school districts (on behalf of one or more schools), a Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), a Charter School authorized by a School District; or a Charter School authorized by the Charter School Institute are eligible to apply for this opportunity. 
• Can I apply for SCCG if my district has been previously awarded?
  • Applicants that have previously received funds from SCCG may apply for sites that were not awarded in the last five years. Previously awarded school sites must wait one year from completion of the SCCG to reapply.
  • No more than 25% of previously participating school sites will be awarded in each competition.
  • Review previously funded site list (XLS).
• Is the grant only for high schools?
  • ​No, elementary, middle, junior and high schools are eligible to receive SCCG funds. Elementary schools were added in 2017 through SB17-068. 
• How much funding do schools receive for the SCCG?
  • Funding is contingent upon enacting pending appropriations to the SCCG program each fiscal year. Historically, funds have followed the following model:​
    • Year one (development year): awards range between $30,000 and $50,000 per application.
    • Years two through four (implementation years): successful grantees may request up to $90,000 per funded school site. 
• What can I use funds for?
  • ​Funds may be used to supplement and not supplant any monies currently being used to provide school counseling positions and/or activities. 
  • Allowable activities include: 
    • Grant related travel to in-person required trainings and professional development; 
    • Licensed school counselor salaries and benefits;
    • Career awareness and postsecondary preparatory services;  
    • Professional development;  
    • School counseling program development and implementation; and 
    • Consulting services.
• Are there any prohibited expenses?
  • ​Funds may not be used for: ​
    • Capital equipment; 
    • Building improvements, construction, or maintenance; or 
    • Indirect costs, or incentives for students and or staff; or
    • FTE related to non-school counseling positions (i.e. school psychologists, social workers, clinical counselors).​
• Who decides which school districts get awarded SCCG? 
  • With support from the CDE Competitive Grants Office, the School Counselor Corps Grant Advisory Board reviews received grant applications and makes recommendations for funding per C.R.S. 22-91-104 (1). 
• Is SCCG a competitive grant?
  • ​SCCG is a highly competitive grant. In FY2025-26, the SCCG had approximately $750,000 available to award and received nearly $1.9 million in requests.

Application Questions 

• What is the award period?
  • Pending annual legislative allocations, the SCCG is a four-year grant program. 
  • Typically, applicants complete a Request for Application (RFA) in December-January, the applications are reviewed in March-April, and initial notifications are made in May-June.
  • Grant funds are available once a Grant Award Letter (GAL) is received, funds have been disbursed, and budgets have been approved. Grantees then have the ability to spend funds through the annual deadline on June 30th.
• How will the application process work this year?
  • Applicants must formally apply through the GAINS grant management system each year.
  • ​Learn more about the grant application process on the SCCG Funding Opportunity webpage. The website is updated in December and January to reflect the most recent application cycle. 
• Who will need to sign/approve the application?
  • ​Approvals occur in GAINS from the applicant's Authorized Representative and Fiscal Manager.
  • The Authorized Representative is the Superintendent, Charter School Institute, or BOCES Executive Director. The Fiscal Manager is the district, CSI, or BOCES fiscal contact. The application itself may be submitted by the intended program contact/manager.

Hiring Grant Funded Positions

• I have posted the position for a grant funded school counselor but the applicant is not a licensed school counselor. Can I still hire the individual?
  • ​SCCG funds can only be used for licensed school counselor salaries. If an education provider has a qualified applicant that is committed to pursuing a school counseling license, they can reach out to the School Counseling Specialists to discuss alternative licenses and supports. 
    • Education providers must contact SCCG program support before making an employment offer as these guidelines should be used only when hiring a licensed school counselor is not a possibility and do require CDE support documents for assurance.
    • The SCCG program requires education providers to ensure the candidate obtains a Temporary Educator Eligibility (TEE) or Special Services Intern license from CDE. 
    • The SCCG Hiring Assurances form must be completed and approved each year of the grant.
• I worked with SCCG Program and was approved to hire an applicant that is on a Temporary Educator Eligibility (TEE) or Special Services Intern license from CDE. Can I utilize grant funds to support the individual's coursework in the Master's of School Counseling Program?
  • Yes, awarded SCCG grantees may be approved for utilizing grant funds to support tuition for approved grant-funded professionals hired under SCCG with the appropriate CDE emergency licensure.
    • The SCCG Tuition Stipend/Reimbursement Assurances form must be completed and approved each year of the grant.