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FEDUnited States · May 25, 2026

High School Equivalency Program (HEP) FY26 Competition Announced

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The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 High School Equivalency Program (HEP) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

The Bottom Line

The Department of Education is seeking applications for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) to assist migratory or seasonal farmworkers (or their families) in obtaining a secondary school diploma equivalent.

Highlights

  • The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) aims to help migratory or seasonal farmworkers (or their immediate family members) obtain a secondary school diploma equivalent.
  • The program also intends to help participants gain improved employment, enter military service, or be placed in higher education or postsecondary training.
  • The FY 2026 competition includes one absolute priority: Providing a HEP Project.
  • Competitive preference priorities include: Consideration of Prior Experience, Expanding Education Choice, and Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness.
  • The maximum award is $550,000, and the minimum award is $180,000 for a 12-month budget period.

Key Numbers

  • $550,000 maximum award
  • $180,000 minimum award

Source Verification

Education Department | country | Federal Register Volume 91, Number 95

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Source receipt

✓ Quote-grounded
Federal Register — Education
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/18/2026-09931/notice-announcing-high-school-equivalency-program-competition
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Quoted passages this brief is built from (5)
  • "The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 High School Equivalency Program (HEP), Assistance Listing Number 84.141A, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)."
    — SUMMARY
  • "The purpose of the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) is to assist migratory or seasonal farmworkers (or immediate family members of such workers) to obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and subsequently to gain improved employment, enter military service, or be placed in an institution of higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training, which includes Registered Apprenticeships."
    — SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
  • "The FY 2026 competition includes one absolute priority and three competitive preference priorities. The absolute priority is: (1) Providing a HEP Project. The competitive preference priorities are: (1) Consideration of Prior Experience, (2) Expanding Education Choice, and (3) Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness."
    — SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
  • "Maximum Award: The maximum award an applicant may receive is $550,000 for a single budget period of 12 months."
    — SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
  • "Minimum Award: The minimum award an applicant may receive is $180,000 for a single budget period of 12 months."
    — SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION