Eligibility

All Indiana public school districts receive Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment) formula funds. Title IV-A is one of the most flexible federal funding streams for STEM and CS in Indiana. It funds well-rounded educational opportunities (including STEM and CS), safe and healthy students programs, and effective use of technology. CS kits, coding curriculum, and AI literacy tools are explicitly allowable technology purchases under Title IV-A. Contact your district's federal programs coordinator to access these funds.

Program Goals

Title IV-A — Student Support and Academic Enrichment is one of the most flexible federal funding streams for Indiana K-12 STEM and CS programs. Indiana school districts receive Title IV-A formula funds annually with no competitive application required. Title IV-A's three pillars — well-rounded education, safe and healthy students, and effective use of technology — all support STEM, CS, and AI literacy programs. Physical computing kits, coding curriculum, and AI literacy tools are explicitly allowable technology purchases. Indiana districts must spend at least 20% on well-rounded educational opportunities and 20% on effective use of technology.

Application and Distribution

Title IV-A funds flow to Indiana school districts through the annual ESEA application process administered by IDOE. There is no competitive application — funds flow by formula. Contact your district's federal programs coordinator or curriculum director to understand how Title IV-A funds are allocated and what purchases are allowable under your district's plan. For small Indiana districts receiving less than $30,000, the allocation may be used for a single pillar rather than split across all three.

Cycle Notes

Title IV-A funds are allocated annually through the ESEA/ESSA federal funding process. Indiana districts receive allocations each fall for the current school year. Minimum allocation for small districts is $10,000. Contact your district's federal programs coordinator for your current Title IV-A allocation and allowable expenditure categories. CS and AI literacy tools are a strong fit for the technology and well-rounded education pillars.

Grant Award Amount

Indiana school districts collectively receive tens of millions in Title IV-A funds annually. Small districts receive a minimum of $10,000. Individual district allocations scale with enrollment. Contact your district's federal programs coordinator for your current Title IV-A allocation amount.

Allowable Purchases

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Indiana districts use Title IV-A for STEM and coding tools?

Yes. Title IV-A's technology pillar and well-rounded education pillar both support CS kits, coding curriculum, and AI literacy tools. Document alignment to your district's Title IV-A plan before purchasing.

How do Indiana schools access Title IV-A funds?

Contact your district's federal programs coordinator. Title IV-A funds flow by formula to Indiana districts — there is no competitive application.

What is the minimum Title IV-A allocation for small Indiana districts?

Small Indiana districts receive a minimum of $10,000 in Title IV-A funds. Larger districts receive more based on enrollment.

Are CS kits and AI literacy tools allowable Title IV-A purchases?

Yes. Physical computing kits, coding curriculum, and AI literacy tools are explicitly allowable under the technology and well-rounded education pillars of Title IV-A.

How can Forward Education help Indiana districts use Title IV-A for CS programs?

Forward Education provides Title IV-A alignment documents, official pricing letters, and letters of support for Indiana districts purchasing CS kits through Title IV-A. Contact us before purchasing.