How to Navigate the Eligibility and Waiver Process for Title III, Title V Funding

The Department of Education’s latest federal register outlines the eligibility requirements, application process, and waiver request procedures for institutions applying for funding under the Higher Education Act. Specifically, it discusses programs such as Strengthening Institutions Programs (SIP) and Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), which are classified under Title III and Title V. Schools have until April 7, 2025, to submit an “Application for Designation” to be considered eligible if they are not automatically designated.

Program Overview

1. Title III, Part A Programs
   • Strengthening Institutions Program (Part A SIP)
   • Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (Part A ANNH)
   • Predominantly Black Institutions (Part A PBI)
   • Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (Part A NASNTI)
   • Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (Part A AANAPISI)
2. Title III, Part F Programs
   • Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM and Articulation (Part F HSI STEM and Articulation)
   • Predominantly Black Institutions (Part F PBI)
   • Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (Part F ANNH)
   • Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (Part F NASNTI), and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (Part F AANAPISI)
3. Title V, Part A Programs
   • Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Part A HSI)
4. Title V, Part B Programs
   • Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (Part B PPOHA)

Eligibility Requirements

1. Student Enrollment Requirements
   • Institutions are required to have a certain percentage of needy students enrolled to qualify for federal program funding based on their family’s income levels
2. Core Expenses per Full-Time Equivalent
   • A specific amount of funding must be allocated toward core expenses and proportionate to the amount of full-time equivalent (FTE) students enrolled
3. Institution Type and Size
   • The size and type of institution will also determine their eligibility for federal funding.
   • Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and minority-serving institutions are qualified if they meet the enrollment and financial criteria
4. Low-Income Definition
   • “Low-income” is classified as families who earn up to 150% of the federal poverty line, which is determined by the U.S. Census Bureau
   • Eligibility is also impacted by the family size and the federal register has specific figures to determine who qualifies
5. Waiver Eligibility
   • Institutions who are unable meet enrollment or core expense criteria can request a waiver and must electronically submit additional documentation to support their application

Institutional Waiver Process

1. Online Application
   • Visit the HEPIS website to complete an electronic waiver application
   • If you remain ineligible based on your application, you will choose the waiver option(s) on the website to submit the required information and supporting documentation
2. Paper Application
   • Paper applications can be submitted if electronic submission is not possible
   • You must submit a written statement that you intend to submit the application
   • This written statement must be postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline date (14 calendar days or, if the 14th calendar day before the application deadline date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the next business day following the weekend or Federal holiday)
   • If you submit a paper application, you must mail your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
     • U.S. Department of Education
     • Attention: Nemeka Mason-Clercin, Institutional Service
     • U.S. Department of Education
     • 400 Maryland Avenue SW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20202
   • You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
     • A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
     • A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service
     • A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier
     • Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education
   • If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
     • A private metered postmark.
     • A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service

Non-Federal Share Waiver for Title III and Title V Institutions

1. Title III or Title V Designations 
   • Certain schools participating in the SEOG and FWS programs can apply to have the non-federal share requirement waived if they are eligible for Title III or Title V funding
   • Designation as a Title III or Title V institution for the 2025-26 academic year by the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education
   • Qualifying schools will automatically receive a waiver for the non-federal share of the program funding
2. Waiver Eligibility and Deadline
   • Institutions must submit an “Application for Designation as an Eligible Institution” by April 7, 2025 to be considered if they are not automatically designated
   • Tribal College and Universities (TCCUs) and HBCUs will automatically qualify for the waiver if they actively receive Title III or Title V funding
3. Important Reminders
   • This waiver does not impact the 50% federal share limitation for FWS wages paid to students employed by a for-profit, private organization
   • It also does not affect the 80% federal share limitation for administering the Job Location and Development program (JLD).
   • To qualify for a Title III or Title V waiver of the FWS/FSEOG non-federal share requirement, any institution with a unique 6-digit OPEID (with a 2-digit extension of “00”) must submit its own annual Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP).
   • Its FISAP cannot be submitted as part of an affiliated institution’s FISAP.

To read the complete the federal register, click here.

SOURCE:

• Eligibility Designations and Applications for Waiving Eligibility Requirements; Programs Under Parts A and F of Title III and Programs Under Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended (HEA)
• (CB-25-05) Apply by April 7, 2025 for Designation as a Title III or Title V Institution and Waiver of the Non-Federal Share Requirement for FWS and FSEOG