The fog is lifting and clear vision is in sight for 2020. The education landscape is giving way to plenty of funding opportunities just waiting for your solutions. As 2019 came to a close, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 ushered in a sunny outlook.

Set your sights on the Department of Education’s discretionary funding of $72.8 billion, up $1.3 billion from FY 2019. Among the formula funds seeing bright increases are:

• Title I grants to school districts (up $450 million, to $16.3 billion);
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B grants to states (up $400 million, to $12.8 billion);
• Title II-A Supporting Effective Instruction grants (up $76 million, to $2.1 billion);
• Title III English Language Acquisition grants (up $50 million, to $787 million);
• Title IV-A Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants (up $40 million, to $1.2 billion);
• Title IV-B 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants (up $28 million, to $1.2 billion); and
• TRIO programs (up $30 million, to $1.1 billion).

Don’t be far sighted because the bill also boosts the maximum federal Pell Grant award per student by $150 to $6,345 for the 2020-21 academic year, as well as increases for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grants (up $25 million, to $865 million) and Federal Work-Study grants (up $50 million, to $1.2 billion).

The sun continues to shine through for other vital education-related programs at the Department of Health and Human Services, including Head Start (up $550 million, to $10.6 billion), the Child Care and Development Block Grant (up $550 million, to $5.8 billion), and Preschool Development Grants (up $25 million, to $275 million).

The warmth we are about to experience also comprises two other education bills. The Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act makes permanent $255 million in annual funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSI). The Building Blocks of STEM Act modifies several National Science Foundation (NSF) programs that provide grants to institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education research focused on early childhood.

Keep your sunglasses handy, because the competitive funds are also glowing. Magnet Schools, Teacher and School Leader Programs, Supporting Effective Educator Development Program, Education and Innovation Research, Migrant Education, and Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants are just a few where the fog is lifting and opportunities emerging.

This is all good news. There is new excitement for a bright year in funding. The rays are coming down making it possible for schools to purchase your solutions. Are you ready to bask in the sun? Grab your sunscreen and get to know which of these funds match your solutions, help your schools understand and take advantage of them, and position your products and services now to be fully ready for the sunshine!