Here’s how to take advantage of federal AI grant money just announced
On July 22, the U.S. Department of Education unveiled guidance to channel federal dollars into AI-driven college and career pathway initiatives, advising tools and student support systems. The guidance clarifies that Title III/V, FIPSE, TRIO/GEAR UP, and other federal funding sources can support AI-based advising, career pathway tools, high-impact tutoring, and ethical AI initiatives if they adhere to privacy, equity and responsible-use principles.
This wave of AI grant opportunity signals a pivotal moment for institutions ready to harness cutting-edge technology and enhance student outcomes while driving operational efficiency.
Seizing AI grant opportunities to future-proof enrollment
University presidents and provosts know that attracting and retaining students today demands more than traditional outreach. By acting now and aligning institutional strategy with the new AI education grants, organizations can secure the resources needed to expand current engagement methods, close achievement gaps, and accelerate student success with AI.
Not sure where to start? Here are some tips:
1. Assess your readiness
Review grant criteria and determine where existing systems might have potential to meet requirements. Then consider how you can embed AI into your roadmap, looking at where new solutions or expansions with proven ROI could help qualify for AI education grants.
2. Convene a power team
Get together a decision committee with representatives from academic affairs, enrollment management, financial aid and equity offices. Consider software partners who offer expertise specific to AI implementation in higher education as they can help you best understand where to focus for maximum impact.
3. Develop a data-driven proposal
Case studies, analytics and pilot program results can be critical in illustrating the impact of a potential AI project – something policymakers are looking for when assessing where funds are appropriated. It’s also important to look at solutions that can scale quickly, integrating with existing SIS and CRM systems to minimize time to ROI.
Practical guide to AI adoption for institutional success
Today’s students expect instant answers, personalized support and a seamless experience. But admin teams are facing burnout and shrinking budgets. With the right AI tools, your team can break down silos and scale support.
In this guide:
- Real-world use cases across departments
- Tips for building buy-in and overcome blockers
- Roadmap to a scalable AI program
How to capture Title III, FIPSE & other funding
With federal AI grant funding on the horizon, Gravyty stands ready to be your strategic partner. Our team is comprised of higher education experts who have walked in your shoes during the grant process, while Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty is uniquely positioned to operationalize new funding opportunities including:
Title III/V: Elevate advising & retention with AI
What it funds: Grants to strengthen academic programs, student services, and retention efforts at minority-serving, Hispanic-serving, and low-income-serving colleges.
How we fit: Our 24/7 AI assistants engage students over SMS, WhatsApp, chat and Telephony—guiding them through financial aid applications, enrollment steps, and academic deadlines. Multilingual support and predictive analytics catch at-risk learners early and keep them on track.
FIPSE & AI innovation
What it funds: Seed funding for creative projects that improve teaching, learning and student persistence through innovative models, practices, and technology.
How we fit: Our integrated platform unifies admissions, advising, financial aid and career services into one data-rich ecosystem. Real-time dashboards surface trends and measure persistence outcomes, giving teams the evidence they need to secure and sustain FIPSE support.
TRIO/GEAR UP: Powering first-gen student success with AI
What it funds: Programs that prepare and support low-income, first-generation students from middle school through college completion with tutoring, mentoring, counseling and academic guidance.
How we fit: Configurable chat journeys and proactive nudges automate routine questions about enrollment, aid, and success planning for low-income, first-generation students. By freeing staff from repetitive tasks, campuses can deliver high-touch guidance exactly where it matters most.
Discretionary AI priorities: Ethical, traceable support
What it funds: Competitive grants for developing or expanding responsible AI applications in advising, peer mentoring, mental-health check-ins and AI literacy initiatives.
How we fit: Our compliance-ready architecture (FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, TX-RAMP, WCAG 2.1) ensures every AI interaction is transparent, auditable, and free from hallucinations, aligned with the Department’s responsible AI guidance.
Don’t wait to capture funding support to strengthen your institution
Are you ready to seize this moment to advance student success? Reach out today to learn how we can help guide you through every step of proposal development, implementation, and impact measurement to operationalize your AI vision, maximize new funding initiatives and future proof your institution.
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