Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Impact Aid Section 8002 Grant Program CFDA Number 84.041A | Apply Online

Impact Aid (OESE) Grant Opportunity (CFDA 84.041A) - FAQs

1) What is the OESE Impact Aid program (CFDA 84.041A)?

The Impact Aid program is a U.S. Department of Education grant program designed to help local educational agencies (LEAs) facing financial pressure due to federal activity in their communities. It is intended to partially offset lost local revenue or added costs so districts can continue providing free public elementary and secondary education.

2) Why do some school districts need Impact Aid?

Some districts experience reduced local revenue (for example, when property becomes federally owned and is exempt from local property taxes) or face added costs associated with educating federally connected children. Impact Aid helps address these federal impact-related burdens.

3) Which legal authorities are highlighted in this notice?

The notice centers on Impact Aid authorities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), especially Section 8002, and also references related Impact Aid provisions in Sections 8003 and 8007.

4) What does Section 8002 generally support?

Section 8002 funding is aimed at districts whose local tax base has been significantly reduced because the federal government acquired real property in the district. When land becomes federally owned, it generally becomes exempt from local property taxes, which can reduce revenue available to support schools.

5) What is the federal land acquisition threshold mentioned under Section 8002?

The notice describes eligibility where, since 1938, the federal government has acquired an aggregate of 10 percent or more of the assessed valuation of all real property in the school district (valued at the time of acquisition).

6) Does Section 8002 consider whether the district is compensated in other ways?

Yes. The notice indicates the program is meant to provide assistance where the district is not being substantially compensated by revenue associated with activities on that eligible federal property.

7) What does Section 8003 generally support?

Section 8003 addresses student-related cost burdens tied to federally connected children. Assistance can be available when federally connected students represent a meaningful share of a district's enrollment (as described in the notice using average daily attendance, or ADA).

8) How does the notice describe eligibility under Section 8003 (federally connected children)?

The notice describes eligibility as districts where federally connected children in average daily attendance (ADA) are at least 3 percent of total ADA or number 400 or more, and where these students either live on federal property (including Indian lands) and/or have a parent who works on federal property or is on active duty in the uniformed services.

9) What does it mean to be a "federally connected" student in this synopsis?

In this synopsis, federally connected children include students who live on federal property (including Indian lands) and/or have a parent who works on federal property or is on active duty in the uniformed services.

10) What is Section 8007(b) and who is it for?

The synopsis mentions Section 8007(b) as focused on heavily impacted districts. These LEAs may qualify for competitive construction awards if they enroll a high proportion of federally connected children (at least 40 percent) or have little or no funding capacity.

11) Is this program focused only on operating costs, or does it also cover facilities?

Based on the synopsis, Impact Aid includes pathways that address operational impacts (such as reduced revenue or costs related to federally connected students), and it also references competitive construction awards for heavily impacted districts under Section 8007(b).

12) Who is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity?

Eligible applicants are local educational agencies (LEAs) that provide free public elementary or secondary education and that meet the statutory thresholds tied to federal land acquisition impacts and/or federally connected student populations (as described in the notice).

13) The listing says "Others" under eligibility. What does that mean here?

While the listing uses the label "Others (see text field...)," the eligibility description clarifies that the intended applicants are LEAs meeting the statutory thresholds related to federal property acquisition and/or federally connected student enrollment.

14) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

15) What type of award is this and how is it categorized?

The grant is categorized as mandatory, uses a grant instrument, and falls under the Education funding activity category.

16) When were applications made available for this cycle?

Applications were made available on March 4, 2014.

17) What was the main application deadline?

The main deadline for transmittal of applications was April 30, 2014.

18) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through the Department of Education's G5 grant management system.

19) Is there a late-submission policy described in the notice?

Yes. The Department would still accept and approve for payment any otherwise approvable application received within 60 calendar days after the April 30 deadline (through June 30, 2014).

20) What happens if an application is submitted late but within the allowed late window?

Late applications submitted after April 30 but within the allowed window would have their payment reduced by 10 percent, consistent with section 8005 of the Impact Aid statute and 34 CFR 222.6(b)(2).

21) Is there a second late-application window mentioned?

Yes. The notice describes a second late-application window tied to written email notice for districts that applied in the previous year but did not apply by April 30, 2014, allowing submission within 60 days after that notice.

22) What was the deadline for intergovernmental review?

The deadline for intergovernmental review was June 30, 2014.

23) When was this opportunity posted and when was it archived?

The opportunity was posted March 24, 2014, and archived May 30, 2014.

24) Is the synopsis the official controlling document for requirements?

No. The synopsis emphasizes that it is not the official controlling document and directs applicants to the Federal Register notice for the authoritative requirements.

25) Where should applicants look for the authoritative requirements and full details?

Applicants should consult the Federal Register notice, which is identified as the authoritative source for full details such as eligibility nuances, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and program contacts.

26) Who can be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement?

For technical issues accessing the announcement, the listing provides a Department contact (Julius Cotton) via EducationGrantInquiries@ed.gov.

27) Who can be contacted for programmatic questions about Impact Aid?

For programmatic questions, the listing identifies the Impact Aid program contact (Robin Robinson) and the program mailbox Impact.Aid@ed.gov, and also notes that phone numbers and the Department address in Washington, DC are provided in the listing.