School-Based programs engage students in service-learning programs that allow young people to apply academic content knowledge to meet critical - community needs. Participants may be youth between the ages of 5 and 17 and children with disabilities, as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, who receive services under that Act.

School-based service-learning programs promote service-learning as an educational strategy. Learn and Serve America funds—

1. support high-quality service-learning projects that engage students in meeting community needs with demonstrable results, while enhancing students’ academic and civic learning; and
2. support efforts to build institutional capacity, including the training of educators, and to strengthen the service infrastructure to expand service opportunities.

Funds are allocated to each State by a formula that considers each State’s school-age population and Title I allotment. Grants are awarded on a non-competitive basis to States through State Education Agencies (SEAs) that then provide subgrants to Local Educational Agencies, public or private schools, nonprofits, and higher education institutions that implement programs. Grantees provide monitoring, training and technical assistance, curriculum development, evaluation and develop a statewide network. Eligible SEAs may choose to designate a statewide entity to apply for the State’s allotment and carry out allowable activities.

• Learn about Learn and Serve America grant opportunities

In addition, the Corporation reserves an amount of 2 to 3 percent for grants to Indian tribes, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.