Michigan School Grants for Time Tracking

What Grants Are Available in Michigan?

Section 31aa
- What it is: Michigan’s Section 31aa Per-Pupil Mental Health & Safety Payment provides $194 per student in FY2025 to every district and ISD, totaling $328.5 million statewide. These formula dollars are intended to support school safety and student mental health, giving districts flexibility to invest in secure environments and effective supports.
- Why it matters: Because these funds are recurring and formula-based, every district has a guaranteed safety budget each year. SmartClocks can be positioned as safety and accountability infrastructure — wall-mounted devices that help districts track staff presence, enhance secure entry, and strengthen operational compliance. This makes Section 31aa one of the most reliable and scalable pathways for Michigan schools to fund SmartClock deployments.
Section 97
- What it is: Gives every district and nonpublic school dedicated dollars for safety improvements. In FY2022–23, the state appropriated $168 million in per-pupil, formula-based funds. Allowable uses include coordination with law enforcement, staff and student safety training, and safety infrastructure like cameras, access controls, hardened vestibules, firearm detection software, and other products “necessary to improve or maintain security in buildings.
- Why it matters: Because Section 97 funding is broad and flexible, it allows districts to make direct investments in physical security infrastructure. SmartClocks can be positioned as safety and accountability devices — fixed, wall-mounted infrastructure that strengthens secure entry, staff accountability, and emergency readiness. Unlike smaller, competitive grants, Section 97 gave every district a share of a large statewide pool, making it one of the most accessible and equitable safety funding streams for Michigan schools to upgrade infrastructure like SmartClocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use safety grants for SmartClocks?

Yes. Many federal and state-level school safety grants allow funding for secure entry systems, visitor management, and accountability technology. Attendance kiosks and time-collection devices often qualify when tied to improving building safety, student supervision, and emergency preparedness.

Do federal funds cover staff training for new systems?

Absolutely. Federal programs like Title II-A and Title IV-A explicitly permit the use of funds for professional development and training. This means districts can not only purchase new compliance or attendance systems, but also train staff to use them effectively.

Which grants require local matches?

Most formula-based federal funds (such as Title I–IV, IDEA, Perkins) do not require a local match. However, some competitive safety and security grants (for example, COPS SVPP or certain state-level safety funds) may require a partial cost share. Districts should review the application guidelines for each program.

What’s the best fit for rural or small districts?

Rural and small districts often benefit most from flexible funding streams such as the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP/RLIS), smaller targeted state safety grants, and regional cooperative programs (like service agencies or intermediate units). These sources are designed to give smaller districts the flexibility to cover essential needs like attendance or HR compliance technology.

Can foundations or private donations support pilot projects?

Yes. Across the U.S., local education foundations, community foundations, and corporate giving programs frequently support pilot programs, innovative technology, or attendance improvement initiatives. Many states also have tax-credit donation programs where businesses fund local education foundations. These funds can help districts test attendance or HR tools before scaling them district-wide.

Michigan K-12 Education Grants & Funding Resources