Section 6 - The Local Application
Local Application Process
To receive funds under Perkins V, a consortium must develop and submit an annual local application, including a budget to expend their allocated basic and reserve funds, addressing the requirements identified in Section 134 of the Perkins V Act.
The local application, due May 1, must include signatures from each college president and each participating school district superintendent representing consortium member institutions and districts. Signatures are collected using the Statement of Assurances & Certifications document. The plan must also include strategies to meet the state-determined performance levels required under the law. If, in the previous reporting year, the consortium failed to meet state-determined performance levels on one or more core indicators, the local application must also include appropriate improvement plan(s).
The approved local application, with statement of assurances signatures, serves as the consortium’s formal application for Perkins funding.
Important: The local application is due May 1 each year.
Submission of the Local Application
Local Perkins applications are submitted through the MN Perkins Portal Teams site. The application consists of several documents, allowing consortium users to respond to narrative and budget questions separately. All document files and instructions are available on the Minnesota State CTE website.
Application Components
The Perkins local application consists of the following:
Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA)
Perkins V requires a comprehensive local needs assessment to be completed prior to application submission every two years. Results of the CLNA must be incorporated into the local consortium application and will drive consortium spending decisions.
The comprehensive local needs assessment must include the following: (Sec.134(c)(2))
- An evaluation of student performance with respect to state-determined and local levels of performance, including an evaluation of performance for special populations and subgroups
- A description of how CTE programs offered are of sufficient size, scope, and quality–and aligned to in-demand industry sectors
- An evaluation of progress toward the implementation of CTE programs and programs of study
- A description of how local recipients will improve recruitment, retention and training of CTE teachers, faculty and specialized instruction support personnel
- A description of progress toward implementation of equal access to high-quality CTE courses and programs of study
Consortia will report the needs assessment results and identify the priorities and strategies that will be addressed with Perkins funding in the CLNA Results and Priorities template. Outcomes will also be identified to measure progress on addressing the priorities.
Perkins V Local Application Narrative
Consortia will complete questions in the Perkins V Local Application Narrative template that address the specific requirements identified in section 134(b) of the Perkins V Act. These requirements include:
- Consortium Member List
- CTE course offerings and activities provided with Perkins V funding
- Workforce Center Collaboration: Career exploration, development, and guidance in collaboration with local workforce development boards and other local workforce agencies
- Improve academic and technical skills of CTE students
- Prepare special populations for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations, provide equal access, ensure they are not discriminated against, and prepare students for nontraditional fields
- Work-based learning opportunities available to students and how they will be developed or expanded
- Postsecondary credit opportunities for high-school students
- Recruitment, preparation, retention, and training of CTE professionals
- Gaps or discrepancies in performance
Minnesota Additions
In addition to the requirements in section 134, Minnesota adds questions to address the following:
- Consortium governance structure
- How Reserve Funds will be used to reduce performance gaps or develop or improve programs of study
Programs of Study
Each consortium must submit with the application the POS Spreadsheet identifying the state-recognized and funding programs of study.
Review Section 5: High Quality CTE Programming for definitions and requirements of POS.
The following information is required in the POS Spreadsheet:
- Career field, cluster, and pathway program of study as identified in the Minnesota Career Fields and Clusters resource (Minnesota Career Wheel).
- All applicable MDE approved program codes
- The postsecondary institution, CTE program, and academic award (certificate, diploma, AAS or AS degree)
- The college and up to 3 of the most significant college programs affiliated with the POS. This does not limit funding to only those 3 college programs. If supported by the CLNA, additional college programs in that POS may also be funded.
- Work-based and experiential learning opportunities at the secondary and/or postsecondary levels
- Dual Enrollment opportunities
- POS Status: State-Recognized, Funding, or Both (SR-POS that are also being funded)
- Licensure, certification, or industry-recognized credentials offered as part of the program of study
Combined Budget
Budgets must be submitted annually. The budget total must match the total allocation amount provided to the consortium by state staff. Consortia can budget up to 5% of their allocation for administrative expenses. This must be reflected separately under basic and reserve funds. The budget submitted with the local consortium application must include both secondary and postsecondary expenditures. Keep in mind that this is a planning budget and must reflect your best estimate of how awarded Perkins funding will be expensed during the year. Be as specific in the budget as you can, given the understanding that specific details may not be available when the budget is due for submission. You may not know, for example, which specific equipment items your consortium will purchase for the year, but you should at a minimum identify programs of study you will support and the total amount budgeted for equipment.
Budgeting decisions should be driven by the comprehensive local needs assessment. Funds do not need to be budgeted for every element or narrative. Consortia determine which CLNA priorities will be funded. When your consortium’s application is reviewed, the budget may generate questions for further clarification. Be sure to enter, as specifically as possible, a description for each budget line item. You should always be able to justify your budget line items by tying them back to the comprehensive local needs assessment.
Combined Secondary and Postsecondary Budget Spreadsheet
Each consortium will complete the required Combined Secondary and Postsecondary Budget spreadsheet. This Excel spreadsheet includes tabs for Secondary and Postsecondary to budget Basic and Reserve funds. Instructions for completing the combined budget are provided on the first tab of the file.
Consortium Consolidated Equipment Inventory
Each consortium is required to submit a single, consolidated equipment inventory with the local application. This inventory must include both secondary and postsecondary equipment assets purchased with Perkins funds in past years. Because a single, consolidated inventory is required, consortia should determine one individual who will be responsible for creating and updating this document to keep it current. This will require coordination between secondary and postsecondary consortium leaders. Although the state does not provide a specific format for this inventory, federal law requires specific property management standards for equipment acquired with federal funds. Refer to the information in Section 9 Equipment (Capital Assets) for additional information.
Perkins-Funded Positions
Consortia will provide the names and duty titles of all employees whose salaries are partially or fully funded with Perkins funds in the Perkins V Local Application Narrative document. In addition, the percentage of an employee’s work time spent on Perkins-related tasks will be reported along with the amount budgeted for their salaries.
Position Descriptions for Perkins-Funded Positions
Consortia must provide current position descriptions (PDs) for all personnel whose salaries are supported with Perkins grant funds. These PDs are submitted as part of the Perkins application.
- If a PD was submitted in a prior year and remains current, it does not need to be resubmitted annually.
- Consortia must submit new or updated PDs when:
- A position is newly funded with Perkins dollars;
- The percentage of Perkins funding increases for an existing position;
- The duties change, or the PD has been revised since the previous year.
All PDs must clearly reflect duties related to Perkins grant administration or allowable Perkins activities. Because Perkins funding is intended to support innovation and improvement in Career and Technical Education (CTE), the long-term funding of positions is generally not supported. An exception exists for designated consortium leader (coordinator) positions, which may be funded on an ongoing basis.
If an individual’s duties change over time, continued support of the position with Perkins funds may no longer be justified. Consortia are encouraged to consult with state staff to discuss specific circumstances. Under no circumstances may Perkins grant funds supplant state or local funding.
Statement of Assurances & Certifications
The Statement of Assurances & Certifications form must be signed by all members of the consortium, that is, each college president and each school district superintendent. Once all signatures have been collected, the form should be scanned into a single PDF document. Electronic signatures are acceptable.
Required certification statement by subrecipients (2 CFR 200.415(b)): “I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that the information provided herein is true, complete, and accurate. I am aware that the provision of false, fictitious, or fraudulent information, or the omission of any material fact, may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative consequences including, but not limited to violations of U.S. Code Title 18, Sections 2, 1001, 1343 and Title 31, Sections 3729-3730 and 3801-3812.”
Improvement Plans
Minnesota State and the Minnesota Department of Education are responsible for annually reviewing each consortium Perkins program based on its performance on federally determined accountability indicators. Minnesota will monitor compliance with this requirement by preparing annual consortium performance reports showing the state-determined performance level and actual performance for each Indicator by grant year. If a consortium’s actual performance falls below 90 percent of the state-determined performance levels for any core indicator of performance, the consortium must submit an improvement plan for that indicator. A separate plan must be submitted for each indicator that requires an improvement plan. The Improvement Plan template provides detailed information to enable state staff to assist the consortium in identifying resources and interventions appropriate to address the gap. The Improvement Plan template and instructions will be provided to the consortium.
Local Application Approval Process
Once consortium applications are completed and submitted through the Minnesota State grant management system, a full review of all application components is conducted by MDE and Minnesota State staff. The purpose of this review is to ensure the grant application meets all requirements under the Perkins V legislation. State staff work with consortium leaders to guide revisions, if necessary. Meetings may be scheduled with a consortium to allow state staff to discuss the application with consortium leaders and to ask clarifying questions. Once the application is approved by state staff and funding is available, the State Director will officially notify the consortium by email that they may begin implementing their approved plan and spending the awarded funds.
Local Application Budget Changes Within the Fiscal Year
Two types of budget modifications require pre-authorization by state staff before expenditure occurs. Secondary and postsecondary consortium leaders must submit budget change requests for the following:
1. Purchasing Equipment over $10,000 that was not specified in the approved budget
For example, $55,000 was budgeted for equipment in the manufacturing POS, but the specific equipment item was not indicated.
Purchase requests for equipment over $10,000 should include:
- Specific name and detailed description of the equipment
- Plan-based justification for the request. Where was this use of funds planned for in the approved budget? What POS/approved program is the equipment for?
- For secondary requests: name of the high school and licensed teacher FFN
- Cost of the equipment
2. Changing the current budget
This includes:
- Reassigning an approved budget item to a new or different use when the amount exceeds $10,000
- Secondary budget change of 10 percent or more within a UFARS line item
Budget Change Requests should include:
- Original purpose and amount of allocated funds budgeted
- Proposed change in expenditure items and revised amount
- Alignment with CLNA results
- Rationale for the change, including justification from the consortium governance team
How to Submit Budget Requests
- Postsecondary submits the Postsecondary Budget Request Form. The same form is used for both types of requests. Form questions will change based on the type of request. Submit a separate form for each budget change or pre-approval request. An automated confirmation email will be sent after the form is submitted.
- Secondary submit requests to the CTE Coordinator using the Secondary Perkins Budget Change Request document. Approved changes must be documented in MEGS and are retained in the secondary Perkins V file.
Budget Review Timeline
The state must review the request for a budget or program plan revision and notify the consortium whether the revisions have been approved within 30 days of receipt of the request. If the review will take more than 30 days, the state must inform the consortium in writing when a decision can be expected (2 CFR 200.308(d))
Annual Performance Report
Consortia are required to submit an Annual Performance Report (APR) in October of each year to detail the progress and results of the previous year’s local application for Perkins Funding. This report identifies the progress made in implementing the strategies and outcomes outlined in the local consortium application. State staff will provide guidance to consortium leaders on APR requirements and submitting the report. Input from consortia on APRs is used by state staff to complete the state Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) required by the federal government every January.
Policy & Procedure History
Date of Implementation: 07/01/2026
Date of Last Review: 0/0/0