School Construction Priority List Grant Process

Priority list events are posted on July 1 and are open through June 30 of the following calendar year.

On June 30 at 8:00 p.m., the Priority List event closes. No applications can be submitted in Core-CT after the event closes. A new event for the following year’s priority list will be created, at which point districts can apply.

Between July and November, OGA reviews all applications that were submitted by the June 30 deadline.

After the review is complete, OGA will inform applicants whether they have been placed on the Priority List, if any additional information is needed, or if the district will need to reapply the following year due to missing critical information (e.g., if a referendum for the local share was not held before November 15).

By December 15, the DAS Commissioner submits the Priority List to the Governor and the legislative Priority List Committee.

The Priority List Committee makes changes and/or approves the Priority List by February 1. Then the Priority List is incorporated into a bill by the Education Committee. Once the bill is approved by the legislature and signed by the Governor, the Priority List is authorized and OGA issues grant commitment letters to districts.

Per statute, construction must begin within 2 years of the effective date of the legislation (bill) authorizing the grant. 

Construction change orders must be submitted to DAS Plan Review within six months of issuance. 

As work on the project moves forward, the district can submit estimated payment requests for reimbursement. 5% of each payment is withheld until the audit of the project is completed and the final grant is calculated.

Once construction is complete, the district must formally accept the project as complete. The district then has one year to submit the final payment request to DAS.

After the district submits a final payment request, OGA will transmit the grant file to the DAS Audit Unit to conduct an in-depth audit of project expenses and grant requirements.

Upon completion of the audit, OGA will process either a release of the final payment for the project, or, if the audit determines the project was overpaid, a notice of refund due to the State.

Once the final payment is sent to the district or the refund is received by DAS, the grant is complete and the file is closed at DAS.