Adult Education and Literacy Basic Competitive Grant – WIOA Title II AEFLA( APC 507)
🏛 Illinois Community College Board
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Aug 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations serving adults needing literacy, employment skills, English language instruction, or secondary education completion. Eligible applicants include school districts, community colleges, nonprofits, libraries, CBOs, and consortia. Organizations must demonstrate fiscal capacity and past effectiveness under WIOA. Services must align with regional workforce demand and career pathways within Illinois.
Individual participants must be age 17+, not enrolled in high school, and either lack a high school diploma, be English language learners, or have basic skills deficiencies. Eligible agencies typically serve low-income adults transitioning to employment or post-secondary education.
Organizations can apply individually or as consortia. Lead agencies coordinate for consortia partners and manage fiscal accountability. Partnerships with regional Area Planning Councils are encouraged.
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Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity is offered to solicit applications for federal and state adult education funds. The purpose of adult education services is to assist:
1. adults in becoming literate and obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency.
2. adults who are parents or family members in obtaining education and skills that are necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children, and lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family.
3. adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in transitioning to post-secondary education and training, including through career pathways; and
4. immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in a. improving their:
a. reading, writing, speaking and comprehension skills in English. mathematics skills; and
b. acquiring an understanding of the American system of Government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.
Through this competitive process, ICCB seeks to strengthen Area Planning Councils through accountability, improve regional coordination, and ensure adult education services are aligned with career pathways, workforce demand, and measurable outcomes. (Illinois Policy).
Eligible applicants for funding under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) are organizations that meet the definition of an “eligible provider” under Section 203(5) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Eligible providers include, but are not limited to:
• Local educational agencies
• Community-based organizations
• Volunteer literacy organizations
• Institutions of higher education
• Public or private nonprofit agencies
• Libraries
• Public housing authorities
• Nonprofit institutions that are not described above and have the ability to provide adult education and literacy activities
• Consortia of eligible providers
Eligible applicants must demonstrate the capacity to deliver adult education and literacy activities in accordance with WIOA Title II requirements, applicable state and federal regulations, and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Adult Education and Literacy Provider Manual.
As this is a competitive funding opportunity, eligible applicants must demonstrate fiscal, administrative, and programmatic capacity; past effectiveness as required by WIOA; and the ability to coordinate services within the Area Planning Council (APC) structure.
Consortia and partnerships with Area Planning Councils are strongly encouraged and applicants proposing consortia arrangements must identify a lead agency responsible for fiscal, programmatic, and data accountability on behalf of all consortium partners. They must also identify the role and responsibilities of each partnering agency.
An eligible individual to receive Adult Education and Literacy services is an individual:
• who has attained 17 years of age.
• who is not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law; and
• who:
o is basic skills deficient.
o does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not achieved an equivalent level of education; or
o is an English language learner. WIOA allocation includes Federal and State. Federal Assistance Listing: 84.002. Administered by the Illinois Community College Board via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 684-01-1625).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative and program description
- Budget and budget narrative
- Evidence of past effectiveness and outcomes
- Fiscal and administrative capacity documentation
- Area Planning Council coordination plan
- Consortium structure and partner agreements (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Rupa Sameer
- 📧 rupa.sameer@illinois.gov
- 📞 217-785-0213
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.002 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$116,770,172
-
$116,708,120
-
$110,916,830
-
$78,217,666
-
$76,552,636
-
$74,934,815
-
$69,703,055
-
$61,525,547
-
$51,873,800
-
$51,418,967
Top States by Funding
- CA 5 awards $461.4M
- TX 5 awards $302.2M
- NY 6 awards $258.3M
- FL 4 awards $152.3M
- NJ 5 awards $93.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
School districts, community colleges, nonprofits, libraries, CBOs, and consortia of eligible providers can apply. Organizations must show fiscal and programmatic capacity and past effectiveness.
What populations do adult education programs serve?
Adults 17+ who lack a high school diploma, need English language instruction, or have basic skills gaps. Participants must not be enrolled in secondary school.
Is a consortium arrangement possible?
Yes, consortia are encouraged. One lead agency manages fiscal and programmatic accountability for all partners.
What outcomes matter most?
Employment readiness, credential attainment, English proficiency gains, and alignment with regional workforce demand and career pathways are priorities.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is September 15, 2026. Check with Illinois Community College Board for any rolling or extended deadlines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate clear links between program activities and local workforce demand. Include data on employer needs and career pathways in your region.
- If applying as a consortium, establish clear roles and fiscal responsibilities for all partners upfront. Name the lead agency explicitly.
- Show past effectiveness with measurable outcomes. Document prior program success, participant completion rates, and employment/credential attainment.
- Align activities with WIOA requirements and the Illinois ICCB Adult Education Provider Manual. Use standard terminology and performance metrics.
- Include letters of support from Area Planning Councils or regional partners to demonstrate coordination and buy-in from the regional system.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack clear alignment with regional workforce priorities or career pathways. Consortia fail to define lead agency roles and fiscal accountability structures upfront. Weak documentation of past program effectiveness or participant outcome data undermines competitiveness.
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