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| 90.400 HELP AMERICA VOTE COLLEGE PROGRAM |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Help America Vote Act of 2002, Sections 501-503, Public Law 107-252, 42 U.S.C. 15521-23. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| The purpose of this program is: (1) 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 nonpartisan poll workers or assistants; (2) to encourage college students to become cognizant of the elections process and civic educations, and to assist in the smooth administration of elections in their community; and (3) to encourage state and local governments to use the services of the students participating in the Help America Vote College Program. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| To assist States and local jurisdictions in carrying out efficient, fair, and free elections through the recruitment and training of college and university students to serve as poll workers on Election Day. 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. Pre-award costs are not allowable charges to this program. Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this program. The purpose of this program is to focus on election administration. Therefore, voter registration and Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts are not allowable activities under this program. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| The following are eligible to apply for the Help America Vote College Program: (1) State controlled institutions of higher education; (2) private institutions of higher education; (3) community colleges; (4) non-partisan student organizations; and (5) non-profit organizations, other than institutions of higher education (including faith-based, community-based, and tribal organizations). |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| College and University Students, election officials. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| None. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| The standard application form, Standard Form 424 must be used for this program. Forms are available on the website, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/announce.htm. Other documents that are requested: (1) Narrative Statement (must not exceed 20 pages); (2) Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424, REV 4-92); (3) Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A, REV 4-92); (4) Budget justification for Section B-Budget Categories; (5) Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B, REV 4-92); (6) Proof of non-profit status (if applicable); (7) Certification Regarding Lobbying; and a letter from the applicant's local election official certifying cooperation with organization. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| Applicants must submit applications electronically through Grants.gov. The application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424, is to be submitted as well. Specified instructions are published in the Federal Register, at http://www.eac.gov, and at http://www.grants.gov. |
| Award Procedure |
| Written notification with follow-up issuance of funds. |
| Deadlines |
| As specified in announcement or application instructions. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| None. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| Generally none. Awards are made until December 31, 2008. In limited instances, the EAC may approve the extension of remaining funds (in furtherance of the goals of the Program), in which case the funds may be used until June 30, 2009. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| None. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| None. |
| Reports |
| Narrative Reports are due 30 days after the close of the grant period. Financial reports are due 30 days after the close of the grant period. To obtain grant funds, grantees will be required to submit SF 270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement. |
| Audits |
| May be conducted in accordance with Federal audit provisions as well as the appropriate OMB circulars (See Grant Proposals Application). |
| Records |
| Records must be retained for at least 3 years; records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period if all findings have not been resolved. |
| Account Identification |
| 95-1650-0-1-808. |
| Obligations |
| (Grant) FY 06 $250,000; FY 07 est not available; and FY 08 est $750,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| $35,000 per project and budget period. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| In 2004, the Help America Vote College Pollworker Program provided assistance to 15 colleges, universities and nonprofit groups to get students to serve as pollworkers on election day. Because of the Program in 2004, the Elections Director in Baltimore, Maryland said "For the first time, we do not have a need for pollworkers in Baltimore, thanks the the College Program..." |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| The Help America Vote Act of 2002; Grant Administrative Requirements; OMB Circulars A-21 and A-122; grant agreement. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Juliana Milhofer or Edgardo Corte's Help America Vote College Program, Election Assistance Commission, 1225 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005, HAVACollegeProgram@eac.gov, Telephone: (202) 566-3100. |
| Web Site Address |
| www.eac.gov |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| See 2004 and 2006 grantees at: http://www.eac.gov/coll_poll_grantee.asp. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Please see Request for Application. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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