Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program CFDA 84.041 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program (CFDA 84.041C)?

The Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program (CFDA 84.041C) is a U.S. Department of Education discretionary grant program intended to help certain eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) address urgent school facility needs. The program emphasizes emergency repairs and modernization of school buildings, particularly for districts that face unusual facility burdens connected to serving large numbers of federally connected students and having limited local taxing or bonding capacity.

Is this funding awarded by formula or competitively?

This construction funding is awarded competitively as discretionary grants, not by formula. The program is tied to the broader Impact Aid framework, and applicants generally must be LEAs that receive formula Impact Aid funds.

What types of projects does the program focus on?

Based on the opportunity description, the main focus is on (1) emergency repairs and (2) modernization of school buildings, aimed at addressing urgent facility needs.

Why is the program connected to federally connected students?

The program recognizes that some LEAs serve large numbers of federally connected students and may therefore experience unusual facility burdens while also having limited ability to raise funds locally through taxes or bonding. The grant program is structured within the Impact Aid framework for this reason.

Who is generally eligible to apply?

Eligibility is targeted and technical. The description indicates that applicants generally must be LEAs that receive formula Impact Aid funds, and additional criteria apply (especially for emergency repair grants), such as thresholds for federally connected student enrollment and/or other statutory or financial capacity tests described in the official notice.

What is an "emergency repair grant" under this opportunity?

The opportunity references "emergency repair grants" as part of the program focus on urgent facility needs. The description also notes that, for emergency repair grants, eligibility can depend on federally connected student enrollment percentages and other factors. Full definitions and requirements are controlled by the official Federal Register notice.

What federally connected student groups are emphasized for eligibility?

The notice highlights federally connected children in categories including (1) students who reside on Indian lands and (2) students who have a parent on active duty in the U.S. uniformed services. These categories are specifically emphasized in relation to eligibility thresholds for emergency repair grants.

What does the "at least 40 percent" threshold refer to?

For emergency repair grants, the opportunity summary highlights "at least 40 percent" of federally connected children in average daily attendance (ADA) as a key threshold in certain cases. The official Federal Register notice is the controlling source for how the threshold is calculated and applied.

Can eligibility be based on a single school rather than the entire district?

Yes. The summary indicates an LEA may qualify if it has a particular school (not just the district overall) that enrolls a high percentage of one of the emphasized federally connected student groups (students residing on Indian lands or students with a parent on active duty in the uniformed services).

Are there additional ways to meet eligibility besides student percentages?

Yes. The summary states that eligibility may also be met by being considered a heavily impacted LEA under section 8003(b)(2) of the authorizing statute, or by meeting specific numeric requirements related to bonding capacity.

What factors does the Secretary consider when deciding which emergency grants to award?

In deciding which emergency grants to award, the Secretary must consider factors related to an LEA's ability to address facility problems locally and the seriousness of the situation. The summary lists examples including (1) the total assessed value of real property available for taxation for school purposes, (2) how the LEA uses its available bonding capacity, and (3) the nature and severity of the school facility emergency.

Does this opportunity have a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

Yes. The opportunity states that a cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources consistent with the official notice requirements.

What was the application timeline for FY 2009?

For FY 2009, the opportunity was posted on February 18, 2009. Applications were available the same day, and the deadline for transmittal was March 20, 2009.

How many awards were anticipated and what was the estimated total funding for FY 2009?

The Department anticipated making about 11 awards, with an estimated total funding level of $17.5 million for FY 2009.

What is the funding instrument and activity category?

The funding instrument is a grant. The activity category is education. The opportunity is listed as discretionary.

How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of Education's e-Application system via the e-Grants portal at http://e-grants.ed.gov. The notice specifies that applicants could not submit an application by emailing an electronic copy; instead, information is entered online and stored in the system's database.

Can an applicant submit the application by email?

No. The notice explicitly states applicants could not submit an application by emailing an electronic copy. Submission was required through the Department's e-Application system via the e-Grants portal.

Where can applicants get technical help with the e-Grants system?

For technical support, the e-Grants Help Desk number listed is 1-888-336-8930.

Which document controls the official requirements for the program?

The public-facing synopsis is only a summary of the official Federal Register notice. The Department instructs applicants to rely on the Federal Register notice for controlling requirements, including full details on eligibility documentation, application requirements, submission procedures, performance measures, priorities (if any), and other program rules.

Where can applicants find full details on eligibility documentation and application requirements?

Applicants are directed to the official Federal Register notice for the complete, controlling details, including eligibility documentation, any pre-application requirements, application components, submission procedures, and other requirements.

Who are the listed Department of Education contacts for questions about this opportunity?

The listing includes Department of Education contacts Julius Cotton (system administration support) at (202) 245-6140 and by email at julius.cotton@ed.gov, and program manager Kristen Walls Rivas with the Impact Aid Program at (202) 260-3858.

What is the mailing address provided for the program contact?

The address provided is 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-6244.