Intervention for College Attendance Grants

 

Intervention for College Attendance (ICAP) grants provide funding to programs offered to encourage college attendance of historically underserved students, bridging the gap between K12 education and the student’s first year of postsecondary education. The Office of Higher Education administers ICAP, which was established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2001 under Minnesota Statutes 136A.861.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible applicants include the following organizations, located in Minnesota, that provide eligible services to eligible participants:

• Public and private postsecondary institutions
• School Districts    
• Professional organizations
• Community-based organizations

What are Eligible Services?

The following are eligible services established in statute 136A.861.Grants must be awarded to programs that provide precollege services, including, but not limited to:

• Academic counseling
• Mentoring
• Fostering and improving parental involvement in planning for and facilitating a college education
• English as a second language services
• Academic enrichment activities
• Tutoring
• Career awareness and exploration
• Orientation to college life
• Assistance with high school course selection and information about college admission requirements
• Financial aid and literacy education/counseling

Who are Eligible Students?

Eligible students are in grades six through 12 who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Are counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Title I);
• Are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Act;
• Receive assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Law (Title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996); or
• Are a member of groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education.

Eligible undergraduate students, for the purpose of this program, are considered those who met the student eligibility criteria as sixth through 12th graders and are soon-to-be entering into their first semester of college or are currently in their first year of college. 

How Much Money Can a Grantee Receive?

A grantee can receive up to $120,000 for a biennium; $60,000 per year. Grantees are required to match the grant dollar-for-dollar either through cash or in-kind contributions.

In fall of 2023, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education awarded $2,700,480 ($1,350,240 per fiscal year) among 26 grantees.

Request for Proposal

• FY2026 Request for Proposal
• Grants Management System

Fiscal Year 2026 Request for Proposal Timeline

Request for Proposal posted on the OHE website: March 4, 2025
Request for Proposal workshop (2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT): March 6, 2025 Join Workshop
Grants Management System Technical questions due no later than 4:00 p.m. CT: March 24, 2025
Proposals due no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) CT: April 7, 2025
Committee begins review of proposals: April 14, 2025
Committee recommendations submitted to OHE for review: May 2, 2025
Applicants notified of award decisions: May 16, 2025
Grantees publicly announced: May 30, 2025
Mandatory grantee orientation (2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT): May 28, 2025
Project Period: July 30, 2025 through August 31, 2027

Who do I Contact with Questions?

For ICAP questions, please contact the Minnesota Office of Higher Education at GWI.OHE@state.mn.us. 

Reports

• Intervention for College Attendance Program: 2017-2018 Report
  [48 pgs; release date: February 11, 2019]
• Intervention for College Attendance Program: 2015-2016 Report
  [95 pgs; release date: January 17, 2017]
• Intervention for College Attendance Program: 2013-2014 Report
  [89 pgs; release date: January 15, 2015]
• Intervention for College Attendance Program: 2011-2012 Report
  [97 pgs; release date: January 15, 2013]
• Intervention for College Attendance Program: 2009-2010 Report
  [103 pgs; release date: January 18, 2011]
• Intervention for College Attendance Program: 2007-2008 Report
  [74 pgs; release date: January 28, 2009]