School Construction Priority List Grant Process

A step-by-step breakdown of the Priority List process

The workflow on this page describes each step of the life cycle of Priority List school construction project grants. Districts considering applying for Priority List school construction projects should review this information carefully.
Learn more about the Priority List  

Lifecycle of Priority List school construction project grants

Looking for similar information for Non-Priority List grant projects? View School Construction Non-Priority List process page (CT.gov)


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Step 1: Office of Grants Administration (OGA) Posts Priority Event

Priority list events are posted on July 1 and are open through June 30 of the following calendar year.
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Step 2: Priority List Event Closes

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.
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Step 3: OGA Reviews Applications

Between July and November, OGA reviews all applications that were submitted by the June 30 deadline.
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Step 4: Communication with Districts

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).
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Step 5: DAS Submits the Priority List

By December 15, the DAS Commissioner submits the Priority List to the Governor and the legislative Priority List Committee.
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Step 6: Legislative Review and Authorization

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.
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Step 7: Plan Review Approval

The district must receive DAS approval of final designs prior to any phase of a project being let out for bid to be eligible for reimbursement. Districts should contact the DAS Plan Review team during early design stages or after receiving grant commitment.

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Step 8: Construction Begins

Per statute, construction must begin within 2 years of the effective date of the legislation (bill) authorizing the grant. 
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Step 9: Change Orders

Construction change orders must be submitted to DAS Plan Review within six months of issuance. 
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Step 10: Estimated Payments

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.

Step 11: Construction Completion

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.
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Step 12: Audit

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.
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Step 13: Final Payment / Refund Due

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.
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Step 14: Grant Complete

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.