Back to Federal guidance
Application for final WIA Section 503 incentive grants
Summary ETA explained how eligible states could apply for WIA Section 503 incentive grants based on Program Year 2013 performance and how they could use the awards. The letter identified three eligible states and said this was the final WIA incentive grant year. ETA now labels the change Canceled.
Document
Federal guidance
Agency
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Document number
TEGL No. 20-01, Change 13
Date issued
May 1, 2015
Status
Withdrawn
ETA lists this change Canceled as of 2026-10-24; its PDF prints Expiration Date: Continuing and Rescissions: None. The letter says Program Year 2013 was the final WIA Section 503 incentive award year.
Status last verified October 24, 2026
Is this still the rule?
This document has been withdrawn. Ezel checks what federal law requires today, under current federal labor law, and answers your situation with citations.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.
Letter
Official PDF: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEGL/2015/TEGL%2020-01%2CChange%2013_Acc.pdf
CLASSIFICATION
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION WIA/Performance Measures
ADVISORY SYSTEM CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DSPP/OPDR
Washington, D.C. 20210 DATE
May 1, 2015
ADVISORY: TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 20-01,
Change 13
TO: STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS
STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
FROM: PORTIA WU /s/
Assistant Secretary
SUBJECT: Application Process for Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) Section
503 Incentive Grants Based on Program Year (PY) 2013 Performance
1. Purpose. This guidance letter provides the procedures states should follow to apply for WIA
Section 503 Incentive Grants and reminds states of the authorized use of these grant funds.
2. References.
• WIA (Pub. L. 105-220) Sections 211 and 503, (20 U.S.C. §§ 9211, 9273);
• Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 (Perkins III) (20 U.S.C.
2301 et seq.);
• 20 CFR part 664, 666.200 - 666.230, and 666.205(c);
• Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) (20 U.S.C.
2301 et seq. as amended by Pub. L. 109-270, and its predecessor);
• Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA); Notice of Incentive Funding Availability Based
on Program Year (PY) 2012 Performance (79 FR 72);
• Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 9-07, Revised Incentive and
Sanction Policy for Workforce Investment Act Title IB Programs (October 10, 2007); and
• TEGL No. 09-14, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program Year (PY) 2013 Annual
Report Narrative (October 8, 2014).
3. Background. Section 503 of WIA provides for incentive grants to reward states for
successful performance in workforce and education programs. The provisions authorizing
incentive grant awards are found in WIA Sections 503 (20 U.S.C. § 9273) and 211 (20
U.S.C. § 9211). A total of $9 million will be made available for incentive grants based on
PY 2013 performance. You can find the Department of Labor’s (Department or DOL)
regulations on incentive awards at 20 CFR 666.200 through 666.230. The Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law on July 22, 2014, Public Law 113-
RESCISSIONS EXPIRATION DATE
None Continuing
128, eliminates incentive awards for state performance. PY 2013 is the last year that
incentive grants will be awarded to states under WIA.
4. Eligibility. The list of states eligible to receive incentive grant awards based on PY 2013
performance, and the amount of the award for which each are eligible was published in the
Federal Register on May 1, 2015. Only applications from the state agencies will be accepted;
all other entities are ineligible to apply for incentive grants. The Department determined
eligibility for a Section 503 incentive grant award by state performance under WIA Title IB
and Title II programs. (WIA Title II is also known as the Adult Education and Family
Literacy Act.) States that are eligible for incentive grant awards have 45 calendar days from
May 1, 2015, as stated in the Federal Register notice, to submit their application for these
awards.
5. Amount of Incentive Awards. WIA Section 503(c)(1) sets the range of incentive grant
awards from $750,000 to $3 million, depending upon the amount of appropriated funds
available. If the total amount available for grants is insufficient to award the minimum grant
to each eligible state, the minimum and maximum grant amounts will be adjusted by a
uniform percentage as required by WIA Section 503(c)(2). For PY 2013 incentive awards,
the criterion for determining the amount of the incentive grant within this range was the size
of the state’s programs, as measured by the state’s relative share of the combined Title IB
and Title II formula grants awarded to that state. The Department divided the total award of
$9 million among three eligible states. See the list of eligible states and their respective
award amount below:
• Minnesota $3 million
• North Dakota $3 million
• Rhode Island $3 million
6. Authorized Use of Funds. Regulations at 20 CFR 666.210 authorize the state to use its
incentive grant award to carry out an innovative program consistent with the requirements of
any one or more of the programs within Title IB or Title II of WIA or the Perkins Act. This
provides states greater flexibility in using these funds, and governors and state agencies are
not limited to only one type of innovative program.
The Department will identify incentive grant funds awarded to states as WIA Title V PY
2014 funds. States must expend the funds by June 30, 2017. 1 Since this timeframe differs
from the typical program timeframes used by WIA Title II and Perkins IV programs,
cooperation among state agencies to ensure timely expenditure of these funds is strongly
encouraged.
States may expend funds for activities authorized under WIA Title IB or Title II, and/or the
Perkins Act. While DOL administrative provisions apply to the statutory life of the funds,
the individual program provisions apply to the use of funds. For example, if states use the
incentive funds for a WIA Title IB activity for youth services, the applicable program
Typically, states would have three years to spend a program year’s funds. However, because incentive grants, taken from Fiscal Year 2015
funds, will be awarded at the end of PY 2014, states will be given through June 30, 2017, to expend the funds.
requirements for youth programs in 20 CFR 664 and WIA Title IB would apply to that
portion of the funds. If innovative WIA Title II and/or Perkins IV programs are planned, the
provisions of WIA Title II and/or Perkins IV would apply to that portion of the funds.
States are encouraged to plan activities that promote cooperation and collaboration among
the agencies administering WIA Title IB and Title II, and Perkins Act programs. The
Secretaries of Labor and Education encourage governors and their state agency
representatives to take advantage of the broad flexibility Congress intended for these funds
by planning for activities that are:
A. Innovative — Services and activities beyond those the state conducts with its regular
funds from these programs, particularly activities that are authorized through more than
one program, that align Federal, state and local workforce, education, economic
development services and activities for innovative job-driven training strategies. The
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) strongly advises states to use their
incentive grant award for planning and implementation of WIOA and work based
training. Workforce system leaders are asked to re-envision how they conduct business
and restructure activities accordingly to comply with the new requirements under
WIOA. Innovative approaches incorporating sector strategies, where training and
services are closely targeted to specific occupations and industries, and career pathways
are desirable as well. Funds may also be used to enhance performance and reporting
systems.
B. Comprehensive and coordinated — Combined activities and services that are authorized
by different programs.
C. Targeted to improving system performance — Activities that serve needs and
populations that are likely to result in improving state systems of employment, training,
and education, including those linking to career pathways and high-growth industries.
Additionally, activities and programs focusing on sub-populations such as veterans,
those with disabilities, and long-term unemployed are also favorable.
As states plan how they will make use of Section 503 incentive funds, ETA encourages them
to take an expansive view of how the funds can be integrated into efforts to improve the
effectiveness of the public workforce system. State Workforce Agencies can work together
to focus on workforce education and training projects that will facilitate innovative
workforce and education policies within a state.
7. Application Process. To receive award grant funds, states that qualify must apply by
submitting an application for an incentive grant to DOL. The electronic application must
include an electronic signature of the state’s designee authorized to submit the application.
DOL will work with the Department of Education to review the applications. The
application may take the form of a letter from the governor to DOL’s Assistant Secretary for
Employment and Training (address is listed below), and must include the following:
A. Assurances
The application, developed by the State Board, must include assurances that:
i. The state legislature was consulted with respect to the development of the
application;
ii. The application was approved by the governor, the eligible agency for adult
education (as defined in Section 203(4) of WIA (20 U.S.C. 9202(4)), and the state
agency responsible for career and technical education programs (as defined in
Section 3(12) of Perkins IV (20 U.S.C. 2302(12)); and
iii. The state and eligible agency, as appropriate, exceeded the state adjusted levels of
performance for WIA Title IB and the state adjusted levels of performance for
WIA Title II in PY 2013.
B. Additional Information
The state must provide a description of the planned use of incentive grants as part of the
application process to ensure that the state’s planned activities are authorized under
WIA Title IB or Title II, and/or Perkins Act, as required by WIA Section 503(a). When
describing the planned activities in response to number ii below, the state should note
under which program the authorized activities fall.
The state’s incentive grant document should include other descriptive information in the
state’s plan (see numbers iii and iv below). The Departments of Labor and Education
will use this information in monitoring the use of incentive grants and in reports to
Congress on state performance.
i. Identify the state agency and contact person that will receive and administer the
funds on behalf of all the state’s agencies. The agency may be the State
Workforce Agency or another state agency that receives funds under the WIA
Title II or Perkins IV grants. This agency will be responsible for reporting on the
use of all funds. If agencies other than the grant recipient will be undertaking
program activities with the funds, please identify the sub-grantee(s) and the
amount(s) they will be provided.
ii. Describe the planned activities. This information should include the statutory
authority for the activity and a description of how the activities are innovative,
comprehensive and coordinated, and targeted to improving system performance in
accordance with the major objectives set forth in the state’s current WIA Strategic
Plan, WIA Title II State Plan, or Perkins IV State Plan, as appropriate. Include
information on how services build on, rather than duplicate, services offered
under the state’s plans for Perkins IV or WIA Titles IB or II. Describe how these
funds are being used collaboratively with other partner programs to benefit
service to clients.
iii. Describe ways in which the activities are related to improving performance levels
on the state indicators of performance for each different activity planned. For
example, describe how the activities will strengthen the state’s ability to improve
literacy levels, increase employment, increase transitions to further education and
training, and/or improve technical and academic skills.
iv. Describe any state consultation with stakeholder groups and the public on the use
of incentive award funds. States are encouraged to seek public input on the use of
state incentive funding, including that of representatives of adult education, career
and technical education programs, and other workforce system partners. States
should provide a summary of all issues raised during consultation with
stakeholder groups and the public and how issues on the use of award funds were
addressed.
C. Grantees must also provide:
i. Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance. The SF-424 must
clearly identify the applicant, be signed by an individual with authority to enter
into a grant agreement, and include the applicant’s Universal Identifier and
Employer Identification Number (EIN). The Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number is 17.267, Incentive Grants - WIA Section 503. The current
version of SF-424 is available at:
http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf.
ii. SF-424A, Budget Information Form and Budget Narrative. Applicants must
include a SF-424A. The current version of SF-424A is available at:
http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf.
iii. Brief Budget Narrative. Applicants must include a budget narrative to support the
funding request. See attachment C for the Budget Narrative Checklist/Template.
Please use the checklist below to confirm that all portions of the SF-424 and SF-424A
are complete. If one or more section(s) is incomplete, the application will be returned,
affecting the ability to process the application on time.
SF-424 signed by the authorized representative
Universal Identifier number and EIN entered on SF-424
No match funds should be listed on SF-424A
Line items must add up to the total amount of the award on SF-424A
Line items in the budget narrative match the SF 424A
8. Inquiries. Please direct questions concerning the WIA incentive grant application process to
Luke Murren at [email protected] (202-693-3733) or Caterra Castile at
[email protected] (202-693-3849) in the Division of Strategic Planning and
Performance, Office of Policy Development and Research.
9. Action Requested. As explained in 20 CFR 666.205(c), states have 45 days from the
publication date (May 1, 2015) of the Federal Register notice announcing eligible states and
incentive amounts, to submit the required application materials. The Department advises
applicants that mail in the Washington, D.C. area may be delayed due to mail
decontamination procedures. Therefore, the Department encourages states to submit
applications electronically. To ensure funds can be appropriately allotted by the end of the
program year, application materials are due by June 15, 2015, and should be sent
electronically to Luke Murren at [email protected] and Caterra Castile at
[email protected].
The street address follows:
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Attn: Luke Murren
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-5641
Washington, D.C. 20210
A courtesy copy should also be sent to the Regional Performance Specialists in your
respective ETA regional office.
States are encouraged to submit their applications prior to the due date. The Department
must obligate funds to states by June 30, 2015. ETA regional staff will be available to
provide any technical assistance to states in preparing and expediting the applications.
10. Attachments.
• Attachment A - Standard Form 424
• Attachment B - Standard Form 424A
• Attachment C - Budget Narrative Checklist/Template
Attachment A
Official PDF: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEGL/2015/TEGL%2020-01%2CChange%2013_Attachment_A.pdf
OMB Number: 4040-0004
Expiration Date: 8/31/2016
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
* 1. Type of Submission: * 2. Type of Application: * If Revision, select appropriate letter(s):
Preapplication New
Application Continuation * Other (Specify):
Changed/Corrected Application Revision
* 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant Identifier:
5a. Federal Entity Identifier: 5b. Federal Award Identifier:
State Use Only:
6. Date Received by State: 7. State Application Identifier:
8. APPLICANT INFORMATION:
* a. Legal Name:
* b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): * c. Organizational DUNS:
d. Address:
* Street1:
Street2:
* City:
County/Parish:
* State:
Province:
* Country: USA: UNITED STATES
* Zip / Postal Code:
e. Organizational Unit:
Department Name: Division Name:
f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application:
Prefix: * First Name:
Middle Name:
* Last Name:
Suffix:
Title:
Organizational Affiliation:
* Telephone Number: Fax Number:
* Email:
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
* 9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type:
Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type:
Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type:
* Other (specify):
* 10. Name of Federal Agency:
11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:
CFDA Title:
* 12. Funding Opportunity Number:
* Title:
13. Competition Identification Number:
Title:
14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.):
Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment
* 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project:
Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions.
Add Attachments Delete Attachments View Attachments
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
16. Congressional Districts Of:
* a. Applicant * b. Program/Project
Attach an additional list of Program/Project Congressional Districts if needed.
Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment
17. Proposed Project:
* a. Start Date: * b. End Date:
18. Estimated Funding ($):
* a. Federal
* b. Applicant
* c. State
* d. Local
* e. Other
* f. Program Income
* g. TOTAL
* 19. Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process?
a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on .
b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review.
c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.
* 20. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes," provide explanation in attachment.)
Yes No
If "Yes", provide explanation and attach
Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment
21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements
herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to
comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may
subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001)
** I AGREE
** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency
specific instructions.
Authorized Representative:
Prefix: * First Name:
Middle Name:
* Last Name:
Suffix:
* Title:
* Telephone Number: Fax Number:
* Email:
* Signature of Authorized Representative: * Date Signed:
Attachment B
Official PDF: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEGL/2015/TEGL%2020-01%2CChange%2013_Attachment_B.pdf
BUDGET INFORMATION - Non-Construction Programs OMB Number: 4040-0006
Expiration Date: 06/30/2014
SECTION A - BUDGET SUMMARY
Grant Program Catalog of Federal
Estimated Unobligated Funds New or Revised Budget
Function or Domestic Assistance
Activity Number Federal Non-Federal Federal Non-Federal Total
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)
1. $ $ $ $ $
2.
3.
4.
5. Totals $ $ $ $ $
Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97)
Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 1
SECTION B - BUDGET CATEGORIES
6. Object Class Categories GRANT PROGRAM, FUNCTION OR ACTIVITY Total
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
a. Personnel $ $ $ $ $
b. Fringe Benefits
c. Travel
d. Equipment
e. Supplies
f. Contractual
g. Construction
h. Other
i. Total Direct Charges (sum of 6a-6h) $
j. Indirect Charges $
k. TOTALS (sum of 6i and 6j) $ $ $ $ $
7. Program Income $ $ $ $ $
Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97)
Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 1A
SECTION C - NON-FEDERAL RESOURCES
(a) Grant Program (b) Applicant (c) State (d) Other Sources (e)TOTALS
8. $ $ $ $
9.
10.
11.
12. TOTAL (sum of lines 8-11) $ $ $ $
SECTION D - FORECASTED CASH NEEDS
Total for 1st Year 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter
13. Federal $ $ $ $ $
14. Non-Federal $
15. TOTAL (sum of lines 13 and 14) $ $ $ $ $
SECTION E - BUDGET ESTIMATES OF FEDERAL FUNDS NEEDED FOR BALANCE OF THE PROJECT
(a) Grant Program FUTURE FUNDING PERIODS (YEARS)
(b)First (c) Second (d) Third (e) Fourth
16. $ $ $ $
17.
18.
19.
20. TOTAL (sum of lines 16 - 19) $ $ $ $
SECTION F - OTHER BUDGET INFORMATION
21. Direct Charges: 22. Indirect Charges:
23. Remarks:
Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97)
Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 2
Attachment C
Official PDF: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEGL/2015/TEGL%2020-01%2CChange%2013_Attachment_C.pdf
Attachment C
WIA Incentive Award
Budget Narrative1
The below budget narrative template provides a crosswalk between a grantee’s budget
narrative and the corresponding line items on the SF 424A. It is very important that the
dollar amounts entered on the SF 424A exactly match what is described in the narrative.
Please use the descriptions of each category below when drafting your budget narrative;
these items should accompany a general statement about what project(s) are envisioned to
be funded with the incentive grant.
Line Object Class Categories
No.
6a Personnel
Description: List all staff positions by title. Give the annual salary of each person, the percentage of
each person’s time devoted to the project, the amount of each person’s salary funded by the grant and
the total personnel cost for the period of performance.
6b Fringe Benefits
Description: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs
such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.
6c Travel
Description: Specify the purpose, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips
and other costs for each type of travel.
6d Equipment
Description: Identify each item of equipment to be purchased which has an estimated acquisition cost
of $5,000 or more per unit and a useful lifetime of more than one year. List the quantity and unit cost
per item. Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies.
6e Supplies
Description: Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment.” The detailed
budget should identify categories of supplies (e.g. office supplies). List the quantity and unit cost per
item.
The budget narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A.
6f Contractual
Description: Identify each proposed contract and specify its purpose and estimated cost. If applicable,
identify any sub-recipient agreements, including purpose and estimated costs.
6g Construction
Description: Construction costs are not allowed and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to
adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration) may be allowable. The
Department does not consider this as construction and the costs must be shown on other appropriate
lines such as Contractual.
6h Other
Description: List each item in sufficient detail for the Department to determine whether the costs are
reasonable or allowable. List any item, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere here.
6j Indirect Charges
Description: If indirect charges are included in the budget, include the approved indirect cost rate with
a copy of the Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, a description of the base used to calculate indirect costs
and total cost of the base, and the total indirect charges requested.
What does federal law require today?
This guidance has been withdrawn. Ezel checks current federal labor law as it stands now and answers your situation with citations.
Opens in Ezel Pro.
- Checks the law as it stands today, not only this page
- Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
- Chat, drafting and research in one workspace