Submit a Project for Funding Consideration

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1. Is the Proposed Project Feasible? Get the SBA Staff Involved Early.

Submit a Project Preliminary Submission Form to the SBA so that we can spend time becoming aware of your present situation in an effort to make the greatest impact on you overall facilities plan. This will allow us to provide a thorough and concise evaluation of each project, and will provide both you and the SBA a greater understanding of the project scope and budget constraints prior to involving design consultants in the planning process.

• Meet the SBA Staff
• Architectural Staff County Assignments

2. ​Is the Project in the Current 10-Year Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP)?

All projects must be listed and prioritized in the current CEFP. If the specific project is not listed, a CEFP Amendment must be approved by the State Board of Education and subsequently the SBA prior to funding consideration. If your project is not included within the current CEFP, see instructions on how to Apply for a CEFP Amendment.

3. From what SBA Funding Source should we request a Grant?

All grants are subject to the procedures defined in the SBA's Policy & Procedures Handbook - Section 200 - Grants Overview.

Needs Grant Funds: Needs projects are the major capital improvement projects funded through the SBA's General Construction Fund. County Boards of Education submit capital improvement projects to the SBA for funding consideration. Projects are submitted and evaluated pursuant to the SBA's Policy and Procedures Handbook - Section 201 - School Construction Needs Grant Funds. The process involves: SBA and WVDE approval of county CEFP, SBA staff review including site visits, review and rating by the plan review team, and interviews by the authority with the County Superintendents and Board Presidents. The Authority then completes the process with their deliberation and selection of the projects.

Major Improvement Project (MIP) Funds: An MIP grant is designed to address major improvements in existing facilities that are not fundable through the local maintenance budgets. These projects must be at least $50,000.00 but cannot exceed $1,000,000. Projects are submitted and evaluated pursuant to the SBA's Policy and Procedures Handbook - Section 202 - Major Improvement Project (MIP) Grant Funds.

Multi-County/Statewide Grant Funds: A Multi-County/Statewide grant is a grant in which up to 10% of the total funds distributable are set aside to address projects that are regional or statewide in scope.  Projects are submitted to the SBA and with the cooperation of the State Board of Education are recommended to the Authority for potential funding. Projects are submitted and evaluated pursuant to the SBA's Policy and Procedures Handbook - Section 203 - Multi-County/Statewide Grant Funds.

Emergency Grant Funds: Emergency fund grants apply to projects that have been subject to an "Act of God." These include damage from such acts as floods, fires, or high winds. Projects are submitted pursuant to the SBA's Policy and Procedures Handbook - Section 204 - Emergency Grant Funds.

Distressed County Emergency Funds: Funds are available to counties that have been considered "financially distressed" meaning a county is on the most recently established watch list by the WVDE Office of School Finance.  Funds are available to counties that qualify in order to keep the school(s) or major core spaces within a school open and operational.  Projects are submitted pursuant to the SBA's Policy and Procedures Handbook - Section 205 - Distressed County Emergency Fund.

4. How Do I Submit and When are Projects Due?

If amending the CEFP is necessary to include your project, see CEFP Amendment.

For Needs Projects, use SBA 201 - Needs Grant Application. SBA 201.docx

For MIP Projects, use SBA 202 - MIP Grant Application. SBA 202.docx

For Multi-County/Statewide Projects, use SBA 203 - Multi-County/Statewide Grant Application. SBA 203.docx

For Emergency Grants, follow the procedures in Section 204.

For Distressed County Emergency Fund Grants, follow the procedures in Section 205.

To see when projects are due to the SBA, see Submission Deadlines.

Image Above: Mingo Central High School (Photo Courtesy Williamson Shriver Architects)