DOL Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP): eligibility, deadline, and how to apply (2026)
Key Facts
- Agency
- Department of Labor (DOL)
- Award Range
- $100,000 - $10,000,000
- Deadline
- Varies (4-year grant cycles)
- CFDA Number
- 17.235
The DOL Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a federal funding opportunity administered by Department of Labor (DOL). This guide covers everything you need to know to determine whether you qualify and how to submit a competitive application before the Varies (4-year grant cycles) deadline.
Use our free Grant Finder to discover additional programs you may be eligible for based on your organization type and location.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the DOL Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), applicants must meet the following criteria:
State agencies, tribal organizations, and national nonprofit organizations. Programs must serve unemployed low-income individuals who are 55 years of age or older and have poor employment prospects.
Eligibility requirements can change between funding cycles. Always verify the current criteria on the official Grants.gov listing before beginning your application.
If you are not sure whether your organization qualifies, review our guide on best small business grants for alternative programs that may be a better fit.
How to apply: step by step
- Register on SAM.gov. Every federal grant applicant needs an active SAM (System for Award Management) registration. Allow 2-4 weeks for new registrations to process. Existing registrations must be renewed annually.
- Get a UEI number. Your Unique Entity Identifier is assigned through SAM.gov and replaces the old DUNS number. You will need this on every federal application.
- Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Download the full NOFO from Grants.gov. Pay close attention to review criteria, budget limits, and required attachments.
- Prepare your application package. Most federal grants require a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capacity statement, and supporting documents. Follow the page limits and formatting rules exactly.
- Submit through Grants.gov. Create a workspace, upload all required forms and attachments, and submit before the Varies (4-year grant cycles) deadline. The system timestamps your submission, and late applications are automatically rejected.
- Confirm receipt. You will receive a tracking number and confirmation email. Check back in 1-2 business days to verify your application passed the Grants.gov validation checks.
For detailed guidance on writing a winning narrative, see our grant writing tips article.
Grant details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant Name | DOL Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) |
| Funding Agency | Department of Labor (DOL) |
| CFDA Number | 17.235 |
| Award Minimum | $100,000 |
| Award Maximum | $10,000,000 |
| Deadline | Varies (4-year grant cycles) |
| Category | Workforce |
| Matching Required | Yes, grantees must provide 10% non-federal share (cash or in-kind) |
| Application Link | Apply on Grants.gov |
Federal grant budgets and priorities shift each fiscal year. The amounts listed above reflect the most recent funding cycle. For the latest figures, check the official program page.
If you are exploring business financing beyond grants, the team at CeoCult covers loans, lines of credit, and alternative funding for founders.
What Applicants Should Know
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is the only federal workforce program specifically designed for older Americans. Authorized under Title V of the Older Americans Act, SCSEP serves adults aged 55 and older whose household income does not exceed 125% of the federal poverty level. The program provides part-time community service assignments averaging 20 hours per week at nonprofit organizations and public agencies, where participants receive at least minimum wage (or the highest applicable wage) while gaining skills and work experience to transition into unsubsidized employment.
SCSEP operates through two grant channels. National grantees, which include organizations like AARP Foundation, National Council on Aging, National Indian Council on Aging, SER-Jobs for Progress National, and Senior Service America, receive roughly 78% of program funds and operate across multiple states. State grantees receive the remaining 22% and administer the program at the state level. Both grant types run on 4-year cycles, and competition for national grantee slots is intense because the number of designated organizations is limited.
A key program rule is the individual durational limit of 48 months. Participants can remain in SCSEP for a maximum of 48 months total, after which they must transition to unsubsidized employment or exit the program. Grantees are evaluated on their placement rates (the percentage of participants who move into unsubsidized jobs), retention rates, and earnings outcomes. Applicants proposing to become national or state grantees must demonstrate deep experience serving older workers, established relationships with local employers willing to hire program participants, and the administrative capacity to manage federal reporting requirements including quarterly performance data submitted through the SPARQ system. Grantees must provide a 10% non-federal share, which can be met through cash or in-kind contributions.
We track new federal funding weekly. Get alerts when new Workforce grants open.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the DOL Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)?
State agencies, tribal organizations, and national nonprofit organizations. Programs must serve unemployed low-income individuals who are 55 years of age or older and have poor employment prospects.. Requirements can change between cycles, so always verify on the official Grants.gov listing before applying.
What is the deadline for DOL Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)?
The current deadline is Varies (4-year grant cycles). Many federal grants operate on annual or rolling cycles. If this deadline has passed, check Grants.gov for the next funding opportunity.
Does DOL Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) require matching funds?
Yes, grantees must provide 10% non-federal share (cash or in-kind). Matching requirements can vary by fiscal year and applicant type, so confirm with the funding agency before committing resources.