Rural and low-income schools

The Department of Education Iowa received a $422,331 formula grant award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Rural Education program (CFDA 84.358) for the period July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award supports the Rural and Low-Income Schools (RLIS) program, which provides financial assistance to rural school districts to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

As the State Educational Agency (SEA) recipient, the Department of Education Iowa will distribute these funds to eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) within the state on either a formula or competitive basis. The RLIS program targets LEAs meeting specific rural and low-income criteria—specifically, those where at least 20 percent of school-age children come from families below the poverty line and all schools are designated as rural by the National Center for Education Statistics. The grant enables participating school districts to enhance educational resources, infrastructure, and instructional capabilities to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.