FAQ

What is an Authorized Public Chartering Agency?
An Authorized Public Chartering Agency is a state educational agency, local educational agency, or another public entity that has the authority under state law to approve or authorize a charter school.

What is a Charter School Support Organization?
A nonprofit, nongovernmental entity that provides assistance to charter school developers during planning and implementation and offers technical support to operating charter schools.

What is a Charter Management Organization (CMO)?
A nonprofit organization that operates or manages multiple charter schools under a centralized system for support, operations, and oversight.

Who is considered a Developer?
A Developer is an individual or group—including teachers, administrators, school staff, parents, or community members—who initiates a charter school project.

Who qualifies as an Eligible Applicant for the CSP grant?
An eligible applicant is a Developer who has applied to an authorized public chartering authority and provided proper notice to that authority.

What defines a Charter School under federal guidelines?

A charter school must:

1. Be authorized under state law and exempt from significant state/local rules.
2. Operate under public supervision and direction.
3. Provide an elementary or secondary education program.
4. Be nonsectarian and tuition-free.
5. Comply with federal civil rights and disability laws.
6. Admit students through a lottery if oversubscribed.

What is a High-Quality Charter School?
A high-quality charter school demonstrates strong academic performance, financial and operational stability, and success in increasing student achievement, particularly among underserved student subgroups.

What does it mean to Expand or Replicate a Charter School?

• Expand: Significantly increase student enrollment or add new grade levels.
• Replicate: Open a new school or campus based on an existing high-quality charter school’s model.

What does "activities" mean in the statement found in the RFA: 'Charter schools applying for a subgrant may not have already begun their activities or be more than 18 months prior to their activities commencing'?
In this context, “activities” refers to the key implementation steps outlined in your CSP grant proposal. These include major milestones such as launching the school, hiring staff, developing curriculum, recruiting students, preparing facilities, and other efforts funded by the subgrant.

This requirement ensures that CSP funding supports new or early-stage implementation efforts — not work that has already been substantially completed.

Are online or virtual schools eligible for this grant funding?
Standalone or supplemental online programs that don’t meet these criteria are not eligible. If the online or virtual school is a full-time charter school authorized under Colorado statute, meets all CSP eligibility requirements, and fully participates in the state accountability system

I completed the Eligibility Quiz but received a message saying our school is not eligible. Can I revise my responses if there was an error or new information?
Yes, you can revise your responses. If you've identified an error or have updated information—such as confirming that disaggregated student performance data can be made available—you can request to have the Eligibility Quiz form returned to you in Foundant. From there, you can review and update your responses before resubmitting.

Please note that the Eligibility Screener is intended to guide technical assistance and support during the pre-application phase; your responses do not automatically disqualify you from applying for the Great Schools Colorado CSP subgrant. The compliance check to determine eligibility begins after which the full application is submitted and throughout the life of the grant award cycle. 

How can I stay informed about upcoming Great Schools Colorado cohort meetings and receive Zoom invites?
You can find all upcoming meeting registrations and past recordings on the League’s Learning Communities page, located under the Resources menu on our website. For quick access, you can also visit the GSC-CSP Prospect group page directly. Please note: participants must register themselves to receive meeting links. For regular updates, you can also subscribe to the Great Schools Colorado monthly newsletter by visiting our Contact Us page.

Can you confirm if this RFA competition is the same as the Charter School Start-Up Grant that used to be offered by CDE?
Yes, this RFA aligns with what was previously known as the Charter School Start-Up Grant under CDE’s Colorado Charter Schools Program (CCSP). While there are differences in administration and specific parameters, both are funded through the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) and support new, replicating, and expanding charter schools. The League now administers this grant through the Great Schools Colorado CSP program, with two current subgrant competitions: one for previously funded schools (launched April 4) and one for new applicants (launching April 11).

How should I format Narrative Sections A–J, and how do I show tracked changes?
All Narrative Sections A–J should be compiled into one document to maintain consistent pagination. Use Microsoft Word to turn on “Track Changes” as you make edits. New sections should be inserted with tracking on, and copied sections can remain as-is (you may add a comment like “No changes made” for clarity). Add page numbers, save the document with tracked changes visible, and then export it as a PDF for submission.

What should we do if we can't finalize all required supporting documents (like the charter agreement, facilities agreement, or MOU/MOA) before the CSP Grant application deadline?
You can still apply if you meet eligibility criteria and are within 18 months of starting expansion activities. Submit a clear timeline and explanation for any pending documents with your application. No grant-funded activities can begin until after the award is made and final approval is obtained.

For the initial GSC grant submission, does the budget spreadsheet need to include detailed information for all three years or just Year 1?
A detailed budget is required for all three years of the grant. Be sure to complete each of the three year-specific tabs in the budget worksheet with itemized planned expenditures. This applies to both the budget narrative and the Excel worksheet.

Can the Great Schools-CSP grant be used to expand and improve a school’s nutrition or food service department, such as renovating a kitchen or purchasing equipment?
While the CSP grant is focused on supporting the planning, design, and early implementation of charter schools, it does not cover initiatives solely focused on food service or nutrition. Renovations, kitchen equipment, and similar expenses fall outside the scope of allowable uses. However, if the expansion of nutrition services is part of a broader school design or growth initiative, we can discuss how that might align with the grant’s goals.

Would a turf soccer field be an allowable cost if it's not permanently affixed?
No, a turf soccer field would not generally be considered an allowable cost under the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant, even if it’s not permanently affixed. CSP funds are intended for initial implementation costs that are necessary and reasonable for the efficient implementation of the grant.

What constitutes a “significant increase in enrollment” for the grant, and can we use funds for expanding our preschool?
A significant increase means a minimum 25% increase in enrollment for a specific grade or schoolwide, or the addition of one or more grades. If you’re adding preschool, CSP funds can cover costs associated with those added grades but not overall enrollment increases unless it meets the expansion criteria. For renovations, funds cover necessary repairs (e.g., fixing leaks, replacing windows), but not construction or upgrades that extend property value. Staff and lunch service costs are eligible if directly tied to the new grades.

Is the Ratio of Reserve Cash on Hand to Operational Budget calculated by network or by individual charter school?
It is calculated by the individual charter school.

Is the cost of professional development (PD) itself an allowable expense, beyond travel and registration?
Yes, the cost of professional development (PD) itself is an allowable expense under the GSC grant. In addition to travel and registration, schools can use funds to cover the cost of PD, as long as it supports their PD goals and aligns with national staff development standards. Be sure to clearly outline these plans in the respective Narrative Sectionand applicable Appendix of your application.

Please note: costs for initial licensure, licensure renewal, and continuing education credits from colleges or universities are not allowable.

We realized that the EIN number entered is incorrect. The organization attached to the EIN in our information is for our foundation, not our school. How do we get this corrected?
To resolve this, please contact [email protected] to provide the corrected EIN number. Alternatively, we can return the application to you so that you can make the necessary correction.

Are schools responsible for signing up for Foundant and doing the technical work in the system, or is CSI (as the Fiscal Agent) handling this work, and will additional support be provided?
The school is responsible for establishing the account on Foundant and completing all CSP grant-related tasks administered by the League, with the school being the primary user. Additional guidance and technical assistance will be provided during the Post-Award phase for continuation applicants and new subgrantees to support this process.

Is it acceptable for a school to apply for the CSP Expansion grant with a proposed enrollment expansion beginning in August 2026, given that the application deadline is May 12, 2025?
Yes, your proposed timeline is acceptable. All applicants must be no more than 18 months from the start of their proposed expansion activities as of the subgrant award due date. Since your expansion is planned for August 2026 and the application deadline is May 12, 2025, your timeline falls within the eligible window. Just ensure that the planning period does not exceed 18 months and all grant-funded activities start after the award is granted.

When should we submit our Great Schools Grant application if we plan to write our charter in August 2025 and potentially open in 2026 or 2027?
We recommend submitting your application for the Great Schools-CSP grant during the cycle that aligns with your anticipated planning or implementation phase, as long as it falls within the 18-month window. If there’s uncertainty about your timeline, it’s a good idea to apply in the current cycle to secure eligibility and avoid missing an opportunity.

If we bypass the remainder of the Planning Year and begin spending for Implementation Year 1, what would the grant timeline look like?
If you choose to bypass the remainder of your Planning phase (applicable to the 2024–2025 school year), your grant would move directly into Implementation Year 1 with the following timeline:

• Implementation Year 1: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
• Implementation Year 2: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

Please note that spending for Implementation Year 1 cannot begin until October 1, 2025.

If you choose to begin with the Planning phase, the grant period would begin upon final approval and run through September 30, 2025.

Do I need to submit Appendix 14 with my CSP Continuation Application?
Appendix 14 (Minor Repair/Renovation Request Form) is optional overall. However, it must be submitted if your school:

1. Previously requested funds for minor facility repairs, or
2. Plans to request facility repair or technology funds for the upcoming subgrant period.

If neither of these applies, you may omit Appendix 14. This aligns with past guidance from CDE’s CCSP grant and reflects flexibility based on your school's evolving needs.

Do we need to submit Appendix 14 – Minor Facility Repair Plan for the CSP Continuation Grant application? The RFA says it's optional, but the application lists it as required.
Appendix 14 is optional unless your school either (1) previously requested funds for minor facility repairs or (2) is requesting facility or technology funds in the upcoming subgrant period. If either applies, you must include Appendix 14 with your application. Otherwise, it can be omitted.

If we skip the rest of the Planning Year and start Implementation Year 1 now, would the timeline be:

Implementation Year 1: now through September 30, 2026

Implementation Year 2: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027?
Not quite—if you bypass the Planning Year, Implementation Year 1 officially begins October 1, 2025, and runs through September 30, 2026. Implementation Year 2 would follow from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. You cannot begin Implementation Year 1 spending before October 1, 2025.

Is this RFA competition the same as the Charter School Start-Up Grant that CDE previously offered?
Yes, the current RFA competition under the Great Schools Colorado CSP grant aligns with what was previously known as the start-up grant administered by CDE through the Colorado Charter Schools Program (CCSP). While there are some differences in parameters and administration, both are part of the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) and support new, replicating, and expanding charter schools.
Under the 2024–2029 grant, the League now administers CSP subgrants in Colorado. There are two current competitions:

• Continuation Schools Competition (launched April 4): For schools previously funded by CDE’s CSP.
• New Competition (launching April 11): Open to all eligible new, replicating, and expanding charter schools.

How much CSP funding can we apply for, and how does the 36-month grant period work if we already received funds under a previous grant?
Schools can receive up to $2 million total, including any prior CSP funds from CDE. So, subtract your previous award from that cap to determine what’s still available.
The CSP grant allows for up to 36 months of implementation, even if you’ve already received funds for part of that time. You may resume your timeline from your final approval date (plus a possible 90-day lookback), and continue through Implementation Year 2 if eligible.
Check the Grant Budget Worksheet technical assistance event (held on April 14th)  for more details, or reach out for support with planning.

In the Authorizer section of the continuation grant, it says “School District/CSI Authorized Rep (Charter School Contact).” Should the charter school contact [at the school] or the district person be listed?
The field in the Authorizer section should list the charter school contact chosen to support charters, including those schools awarded the CSP  at the district or CSI. The district or CSI fiscal contact (if different) can be specified in a separate field.

Can we go back to October 1, 2024, to capture expenses, or is the 90-day lookback the limit?
Unfortunately, we cannot go back to October 1, 2024. The 90-day lookback only applies to the period before the subgrant approval date, not the start of the grant. For the invoices with goods delivered before 9/30/24, those expenses are not eligible for reimbursement since they pre-date the subgrant approval and 90-day lookback window.

In Appendix 7, the 'Action Plan' section says, "in the table below, provide a brief overview..." but there is no table provided. Are we expected to create a table for this information?
Yes, if a table is not provided in your previous application, we recommend creating one to present the overview of activities. Example table headers could include: Activity/Description, Goal/Objective Addressed, Date(s), Cost, Staff Involved, Source/Provider, How This Supports Professional Growth.

In Appendix 9, the 'Activities/Measures/Targets' section refers to completing a table, but no table is provided. Are we expected to create one?
Yes, similar to Appendix 7, if no table is provided, we suggest creating one to organize the 'Activities/Measures/Targets' section. Example table headers could include: Goal/Objective, Activity/Measure, Target, Evaluation Benchmark, Responsible Party/Provider, and Timeline/Date.

In Appendix 15, should we provide new waiver requests, or just list the waivers we already have (similar to Appendix K in the previous grant)?
This section should focus on new waiver requests or any additional waivers that you believe are necessary for the successful operation of your school. Be sure to specify the federal or state statute or regulation for which you are requesting the waiver and provide a clear justification for why it is needed.

If we are not requesting funding for a specific area (such as the Performance Management Plan), should we still address it in our application?
Yes. Even if you're not requesting funding now, you should complete Appendix 9 to describe your current plan. This keeps you eligible for future funding related to data tools, assessments, or support services and ensures your application aligns with the RFA guidelines.