(from the Mississippi Department of Education)

The Rural Education Initiative is designed to address the unique needs of small, rural local education agencies (LEAs) that frequently lack the personnel and resources needed to compete effectively for Federal competitive grants and receive formula grant allocations under other programs in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes.

There are two programs under the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) that an eligible LEA may be able to receive funds:

• Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program 
• Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) Program

Dual eligibility occurs when an LEA meets the eligibility requirements for both REAP grants: SRSA and the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) grant. Dual-eligible LEAs must choose one grant under which to receive funds each fiscal year.

Dual-eligible LEAs that choose to participate in RLIS may exercise the Alternative Fund Use Authority. All grantees wishing to use the Alternative Fund Use Authority must notify SEAs by the date established by the SEAs.  LEAs eligible only for RLIS cannot exercise the Alternative Fund Use Authority.

NOTE: Funds made available under the RLIS Program shall be used to supplement, not supplant, any other Federal, State or local education funds.