Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Programs (HEP): Institutional Service: Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.031L | ED GRANTS 071425 003

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): AANAPISI Program (ALN 84.031L) Discretionary Grants

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant competition offered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), under the Higher Education Programs (HEP) umbrella for the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Program (Assistance Listing Number 84.031L).

2) What is the main goal of the AANAPISI Program?

The basic goal is institutional capacity-building. Funds support eligible colleges and universities in improving and expanding how well they serve Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. The Department frames this as support for planning, developing, or implementing campus activities and services that contribute to student success outcomes (for example, stronger academic support structures, retention and completion strategies, and related institutional improvements).

3) Who is the federal agency offering this competition?

The agency is the U.S. Department of Education (specifically, the Office of Postsecondary Education).

4) What is the Assistance Listing Number (ALN) for this program?

The Assistance Listing Number is 84.031L.

5) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is ED GRANTS 071425 003.

6) Is this a discretionary or formula grant?

This is a discretionary grant competition.

7) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

8) What is the activity category?

The activity category is education.

9) How many awards does the Department anticipate making?

The anticipated number of awards is 12.

10) When was the opportunity posted, and when is the application due?

The posting (creation) date is July 14, 2025. The original application closing date is August 13, 2025.

11) What is the award ceiling (maximum award amount)?

The award ceiling is not specified in the provided synopsis. Applicants are expected to consult the Federal Register application notice and the official application package for funding ranges, allowable costs, and any award size limits.

12) What institutions are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to institutions of higher education (IHEs) that meet several federal requirements. The institution must be accredited or pre-accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency that the Secretary of Education recognizes as a reliable authority on educational quality. The institution must also be legally authorized by the state where it is located to operate as a junior or community college or to offer an educational program that awards a bachelor’s degree.

13) What does it mean to be an "eligible institution" under 34 CFR 600.2 for this competition?

The institution must be designated as an "eligible institution" under 34 CFR 600.2. This generally means the institution can demonstrate (1) enrollment of needy students (as described in 34 CFR 607.3) and (2) low average educational and general expenditures per full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student (as described in 34 CFR 607.4).

14) Does the Department have to determine eligibility before an institution can apply?

Yes. The Department notes that only institutions the Department determines are eligible, or those granted a waiver through the formal eligibility designation process, may apply.

15) Is there a specific eligibility designation/waiver process referenced for FY 2025?

Yes. For FY 2025, the eligibility designation and waiver process was announced in the Federal Register on March 6, 2025 (90 FR 11408), and applicants are expected to align with that process.

16) Is there an AANAPISI-specific student enrollment threshold?

Yes. At the time of application, applicants must certify their total undergraduate headcount enrollment and certify that at least 10 percent of the institution’s enrollment is Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander.

17) How is the 10 percent enrollment requirement documented?

This certification must be submitted using an assurance form included in the official application package, and it must be signed by an authorized institutional official.

18) Can an institution that is currently receiving a Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program grant also receive an AANAPISI grant?

No. If an institution is currently receiving a Developing HSI Program grant (Title V), it cannot receive a grant under any Title III, Part A program at the same time. AANAPISI is a Title III, Part A program.

19) Can a current Developing HSI grantee drop its Title V grant to become eligible for AANAPISI?

No. The rules prevent a current Developing HSI grantee from dropping its Title V grant just to become eligible for AANAPISI or another Title III, Part A award.

20) What if an institution is HSI-eligible but not currently funded under the Developing HSI Program?

An institution that is HSI-eligible but not currently funded under the Developing HSI Program may apply to the Title III, Part A competitions it qualifies for and also be considered for Developing HSI. However, if selected, it may ultimately receive only one of those grants, consistent with 34 CFR 607.2(g)(1).

21) What are the two main grant types in this competition?

The competition allows for two main grant types: Individual Development Grants and Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants.

22) Can an eligible institution apply for both grant types in the same competition?

Yes. An eligible IHE is allowed to submit applications for both types in the same competition and, if selected, may receive both in the same fiscal year.

23) Are there limits on receiving multiple Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants?

Yes. The Department will not issue a second Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant to an institution for the same award year if it already has a Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant under the AANAPISI program.

24) In a cooperative arrangement, do partner institutions or subgrantees need to be "eligible institutions"?

No. Under the cooperative arrangement option, the lead institution must be an eligible institution, but partner institutions or subgrantees do not have to be eligible institutions themselves.

25) Can an institution that already holds an AANAPISI grant participate in another cooperative project?

Yes. Institutions that already hold an AANAPISI Individual Development or Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant may still participate as a subgrantee in one or more cooperative projects led by another eligible institution.

26) Which requirements should applicants treat as controlling and official?

The synopsis emphasizes that the controlling, official requirements are in the Federal Register application notice, not in the brief description.

27) What topics should applicants expect to find in the official Federal Register notice?

Applicants are directed to review the official notice for the full set of requirements, including pre-application and application procedures, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and program contact details.

28) Are there standard application instructions that apply to this opportunity?

Yes. Applicants are pointed to the Department’s "Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs," published December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528), which contains standardized directions on how and where to obtain and submit applications.