Is this the first time awards for the College Program have been distributed? 
No. When the EAC College Program was established in 2004, it issued $600,000 in grants. In 2006, the program awarded another $350,000. 

Who is eligible to apply for the College Program grants? 
State and private higher education institutions, community colleges, nonpartisan student organizations, and nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community-based and tribal organizations). 

How can an organization apply for the College Program funding opportunity? 
To download the application for the 2008 College Program funding opportunity, go to www.eac.gov/grants.  

Where can I find more information about obtaining a DUNS number? 
Any organization interested in applying for a federal grant must have a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number. You may acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at (866) 705-5711, or you may request a number online at www.dnb.com.  

How many awards will be granted? 
The total amount of funds authorized for distribution for the 2008 College Program is $750,000. Approximately 25-50 awards will be granted. The maximum amount of individual awards will be $35,000 and the minimum $10,000. 

What can the funding be used for? 
Funds must be used to encourage students enrolled at institutions of higher education (including community colleges), to assist state and local governments in the administration of elections by serving as poll workers or assistants. Funds can only be spent on appropriate and allowable projects and activities that are carried out without partisan bias or without promoting any particular point of view on any issue; each grant recipient should be governed in a balanced manner that does not reflect any partisan bias. 

What is the deadline for submitting a grant application? 
Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 21, 2008. Late applications will not be considered. 

If needed, will an extension to the deadline be granted? 
The EAC may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.). Determinations to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Notification of any deadline extensions will be posted on the EAC’s Web site. 

Is there a matching funds requirement for this funding opportunity? 
No. There is not a matching funds requirement. 

Do funds have to be spent in Fiscal Year 2008? 
No. Funds are available until December 31, 2008, unless the EAC approves the extension of remaining funds (to further the goals of the program), in which case the funds may be used until June 30, 2009. 

Are there any funding restrictions? 
Yes. Pre-award costs, construction costs and costs associated with voter registration and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts are not allowable expenditures under this program.

Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is $35,000. Applications exceeding the $35,000 threshold will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this announcement unless the application represents a joint program.

Grant applicants from educational institutions should be aware that they are subject to the cost principles outlined in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-21. 

Grant applicants from nonprofit organizations should be aware they are subject to the cost principles outlined in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-122. These circulars establish principles for determining costs applicable to federal grants. 

Are there any reporting requirements for this funding? 
Yes. They include the following:

• Narrative Reports: Due 30 days after the close of the grant period. A format for the narrative report will be sent to all grantees after the grants are awarded.
• Financial Reports: An SF 269 must be submitted on August 30, 2008, for the period ending July 30, 2008, and 30 days after the close of the grant period.
• Other Reports: To obtain grant funds, grantees will be required to submit SF 270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement.
  The required standard forms 269 and 270 are located here.
   

What additional educational information on college poll worker recruitment is available? 
The EAC has a Guidebook for Recruiting College Poll Workers that offers a collection of practical and successful methods of recruiting, training and retaining college students.

How should my organization structure our college poll worker program? 
Your program does not need to follow any particular formula. Its design should be informed by the needs of the election jurisdiction, the composition of the student body available for recruitment, and the role the college or university is able and willing to play. See the EAC's Guidebook for Recruiting College Poll Workers for additional guidance. 

Whom can I contact for more information? 
For additional information on the College Program, please contact Juliana Milhofer or Edgardo Cortés at (202) 566-3100, or toll-free at (866) 747-1471. Additionally, you can submit questions via e-mail to HAVACollegeProgram@eac.gov.