Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program?

The Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education designed to help charter schools obtain more affordable financing for school facilities by strengthening their credit position.

Does this grant directly pay for a charter school building project?

No. The central purpose is not to directly fund a building project. Instead, the grant supports credit enhancement strategies that reduce lender risk and improve borrowing terms so charter schools can access private-sector and other non-federal capital for facilities acquisition, construction, or renovation.

What types of facility activities can be supported indirectly through credit enhancement?

The program is intended to make it easier and less expensive for charter schools to secure financing that can be used to acquire, construct, or renovate school facilities. The grant itself supports mechanisms that improve access to that financing rather than paying contractors directly.

What does "credit enhancement" mean in this program?

In this context, credit enhancement refers to strategies and mechanisms that strengthen the credit position of charter schools, reduce risk for lenders, and improve the terms under which charter schools can borrow (for example, more favorable interest rates or conditions) from private and other non-federal sources.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity, and how should it be searched on Grants.gov?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 84.354. While it may be referenced as 84.354A in the notice, applicants are instructed to search Grants.gov using 84.354 (without the letter suffix).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants fall into three broad categories: (1) public entities (such as state or local governmental agencies), (2) private nonprofit entities, and (3) consortia made up of eligible public and nonprofit entities.

Does the Department intend to make awards across different types of eligible applicants?

Yes. The notice indicates the Department will try, if possible, to make at least one award in each of the three eligibility categories: public entities, private nonprofit entities, and consortia of eligible public/nonprofit entities.

Are institutions of higher education mentioned as eligible applicants?

The broader eligibility list associated with the posting includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, along with state governments and nonprofits. However, the official Federal Register notice is described as the controlling source for the final and precise eligibility rules.

Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?

The posting references nonprofits including those with 501(c)(3) status and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, but it also notes that the official Federal Register notice governs the final, precise eligibility requirements.

How many awards were expected for the funding cycle described?

For the specific funding cycle reflected in the notice, the Department anticipated making about four awards.

What was the estimated total funding amount for the cycle described?

The estimated total funding amount for the cycle described was $36,611,000.

When were applications available and when were they due for the cycle described?

Key dates listed included an application availability date of December 12, 2008 and an application submission deadline of February 10, 2009.

Was there a pre-application meeting?

Yes. A pre-application meeting was listed for January 12, 2009.

What was the intergovernmental review deadline for the cycle described?

The intergovernmental review deadline listed was April 13, 2009.

Was cost sharing or a matching requirement required?

No. The listing states there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.

How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the downloadable application package and uploading it through the portal. Applicants were instructed not to submit applications by email.

Can an application be emailed to the Department of Education?

No. The posting explicitly instructs applicants not to email an application and to submit through Grants.gov.

Where should applicants go for technical support with Grants.gov?

The posting directs applicants to use the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support.

What if an applicant cannot access the full announcement?

The posting indicates applicants can contact the program office for official assistance if they cannot access the full announcement.

What document contains the authoritative requirements and details for applying?

The authoritative requirements, priorities, and performance measures are contained in the official Federal Register notice. The public synopsis is described as a condensed summary and not the controlling document.

Why is the Federal Register notice so important for applicants?

Because it contains the exact application content requirements, selection criteria, priorities, performance measures, and reporting requirements. The synopsis explicitly directs applicants to rely on the Federal Register notice for full and controlling details.

What is the primary barrier this program is designed to address for charter schools?

The program is aimed at addressing a common barrier charter schools face: limited access to reasonably priced facility financing.

What is the intended impact of funding credit enhancement mechanisms?

The Department’s intent is to help charter schools leverage significantly more non-federal capital than they could typically secure on their own, and to do so on terms that make facility projects more feasible and sustainable over time.

Does the program emphasize scale or demonstration of impact?

Yes. The Department emphasizes that funded projects should be large enough and well-designed enough to demonstrate meaningful impact, with an expectation that grantees will implement effective, scalable approaches to unlocking facility financing.