Notification of Intent to Apply: 21st CCLC

by ExCEL ASP | November 2025 | General News

The Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) of the California Department of Education (CDE) will be releasing the RFA for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program and After School Safety and Enrichment Teen (ASSETs) Program Request for Applications (RFAs) for funding with an anticipated release of the RFA in August 2026 with an October 2026 due date. The Cohort 16 awards will be effective July 1, 2027.

This change in the timeline will impact when the CDE can access the required data for several components of the RFA, including:

Grant Reductions: We will use the grant reduction data that will be disseminated in Spring of 2026 based off attendance in calendar year 2025.

Free and Reduced Priced Meal Data: We will acquire this data from FY 25–26 or the most recent data available on the CDE website prior to the RFA application deadline.

Title 1 status will be acquired from FY 25–26 or the most recent data available on the CDE website prior to the RFA application deadline.

The 21st CCLC funding is for elementary or middle school programs that support the creation of

community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non- school

hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools

and their families.

ASSETs funding is for high school programs that create incentives for establishing locally

driven after school enrichment programs where partner schools and communities provide

academic support and safe, constructive alternatives for high school pupils in the hours after the regular school day, and that supports college and career readiness.

San Francisco Unified School District intends to apply for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant to fund Comprehensive After School Programs at eligible, qualified school sites.

The 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant guidelines require meaningful consultation with officials from appropriate private schools that are in the geographic area to be served during the design and development of the programs. Specifically, NCLB Section 9501 (c) (1) states that applicants must “ensure timely and meaningful consultation with the LEA, consortium, or entity, and consult with appropriate private school officials, during the design and development of the programs”.

by ExCEL ASP | January 2025 | General News

The Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) of the California Department of Education (CDE) will be releasing an RFA for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program and After School Safety and Enrichment Teen (ASSETs) Program Request for Applications (RFAs) for funding late summer/Fall 2025 for funding beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

The 21st CCLC funding is for elementary or middle school programs that support the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non- school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools and their families.

ASSETs funding is for high school programs that create incentives for establishing locally driven after school enrichment programs where partner schools and communities provide academic support and safe, constructive alternatives for high school pupils in the hours after the regular school day, and that supports college and career readiness.

San Francisco Unified School District intends to apply for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant to fund Comprehensive After School Programs at eligible, qualified school sites.

The 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant guidelines require meaningful consultation with officials from appropriate private schools that are in the geographic area to be served during the design and development of the programs. Specifically, NCLB Section 9501 (c) (1) states that applicants must “ensure timely and meaningful consultation with the LEA, consortium, or entity, and consult with appropriate private school officials, during the design and development of the programs”.

The California Department of Education has released the funding results for FY24-25. The award amounts have been updated on the multi-year site allocations spreadsheet.  

Contact us at excelaspinfo@sfusd.edu if you have any questions.