FY 2027 Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program
FY 2027 Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program funds education, housing, and transportation services for Illinois students experiencing homelessness to improve school participation and achievement.
Funder: Illinois State Board of Education
Due Dates: November 16, 2026 (FAQ questions) | November 23, 2026, at 4 p.m. Central Standard Time (Proposals)
Funding Amounts: $10,000–$500,000 awards; $1.5 million estimated total funding; planned three-year funding cycle
Summary: Supports expanded educational, housing, and transportation services that improve enrollment, attendance, and achievement for Illinois children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Key Information: Each eligible applicant may participate in only one proposal, individually or through a consortium.
Description
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) administers this competitive state-funded program to facilitate the enrollment, attendance, and educational achievement of children and youth experiencing homelessness throughout Illinois. It parallels and supplements, but operates independently of, the federal McKinney-Vento grant program. Grant-supported services must expand upon or improve existing services rather than replace a school’s regular academic program or supplant other funded efforts.
Eligible activities include rental and utility assistance, transportation, emergency shelter and temporary hotel stays, housing stability case management, housing locator services, and collaborative housing strategies. The program also supports McKinney-Vento activities such as tutoring, early childhood education, mentoring, health referrals, staff development, parent engagement, school supplies, and emergency assistance needed for school participation.
