c. What is the deadline for DLT Grant Applications?

Grant applications are accepted during an application window which is announced in the Federal Register. Typically, the window opens in the first quarter of the year and is open for 60 days. We do not provide specific information about the opening of the grant window in advance of publication in the Register except on our webpage. We do this so that all prospective applicants have the same information available to them and because the exact date of publication in the Register is outside our control. The window is announced on the DLT web page (www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm)

d. What is the eligibility requirement for a grant applicant? What are the requirements to be eligible for funding with a grant?

Refer to B, Legal Eligibility, and D, Project Information (Eligible and Ineligible Purposes) in Section IV of the current Application Guide (for current information, always use the most recently published Application Guide, which is posted on our website at approximately the same time as the opening of the application window.

e. What is the application window for a Combination Loan/Grant or a 100% Loan.

There is no window for Combos or Loans. Applications are processed on a non-competitive first-come, first-served basis. Applications may be submitted anytime. To be funded within a current Fiscal Year, which for the Federal Government ends on September 30, an application should be received by July 31 of that year.

f. How are Combo and 100% Loan Programs different from the Grant Program.

The loan programs can fund larger projects. Generally, the maximum amount considered for a loan is $10 million. However, we may fund a project greater than that subject to the project's feasibility and the availability of loan funds. Combination Loan/Grants will generally consist of a fixed proportion of loan and grant. The ratio is set annually in that year's Notice of Funds Availability as published in the Federal Register. Although the programs are not competitive, applicants must demonstrate a minimum Rurality score using the scoring method described in the Grant Application Guide. There is no matching fund requirement.

The purposes for combination loan-grant and loan financing include more than the fairly narrow range of equipment, software and technical assistance allowed with grant funding; particularly with regard to physical facilities, e.g., "bricks and mortar", transmission facilities, and project start-up costs. See the current year's Loan and Combination Loan/Grant Application Guide.

g. What kind of interest rate is available with Loans or the Loan portion of Combination Loan/Grants

The interest rate for a 100% loan (or the loan portion of a combination loan/grant) is based on the cost of money to the United States Treasury at the time of draw down of funds. The maximum amortization period for the loan (portion) is up to 10 years or the economic life of the facilities being financed, whichever is less. The interest rate is based on "Yields on Treasury Securities" at "constant maturity." Yields on Treasury securities at "constant maturity" are interpolated by the U.S. Treasury from the daily yield curve. For more information on estimating prospective interest rates, see the current year's Loan and Combination Loan/Grant Application Guide.