U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Innovation and Improvement 

Washington, DC 20202

APPLICATION FOR GRANTS UNDER THE

CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FOR CHARTER 

SCHOOL FACILITIES GRANTS PROGRAM

(CFDA NUMBER: 84.354A)

FORM APPROVED

OMB No. 1855-0007, EXP. DATE XX/XX/XXXX

DATED MATERIAL – OPEN IMMEDIATELY

Closing Date: x/x/20xx
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Public Burden Statement:

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond 

to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control 

number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to 

average 80 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching 

existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 

reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is 

required to obtain or retain benefit (PL 107-110 Sec 5221-5231 Elementary and 

Secondary Eduction Act, as amended). Send comments regarding the burden estimate or 

any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this 

burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 

20210-4537 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 

1855-0007. Note: Please do not return the completed application for grants under the 

credit enhancement for charter school facilities program to this address.

If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual 

submission of this form, write directly to: Credit Enhancement for Charter School 

Facilities Program, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Room 

4W259, Washington D.C. 20202-6140.
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Innovation and Improvement

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities 

Program. Included in this application package are the instructions and forms needed to 

submit an application to the U.S. Department of Education. Please take the time to 

review the application package thoroughly.

The U.S. Department of Education is accepting applications for this program 

electronically. Please read the document describing the submission procedures to ensure 

your application is received in a timely and acceptable manner. The application must be 

submitted on or before the deadline date. Electronic submission of applications is 

required; therefore, you must submit an electronic application unless you follow the 

procedures in the Federal Register notice and qualify for one of the exceptions to the 

electronic submission requirement. If you think you may need an exception, you are 

urged to review the requirements promptly. 

Please note that U.S. Department of Education grant application deadlines are 4:30:00 

P.M. Washington, D.C. time. Applications submitted late will not be accepted. We 

suggest that you submit your application several days before the deadline date. The 

Department is required to enforce the established deadline to ensure fairness to all 

applicants. 

A CSP program officer is available to provide technical assistance to applicants. If you 

have any questions about the program after reviewing the application package, please call 

or e-mail Kristin Lundholm at (202) 205-4352 or kristin.lundholm @ed.gov. For 

questions or problems in navigating the Grants.gov system, please call Grants.gov 

helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726.

We look forward to receiving your application and appreciate your efforts in assisting 

and expanding the number of high quality charter schools across the Nation.

Sincerely,

Stefan Huh

Charter Schools Program Director

Office of Innovation and Improvement
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Table of Contents

A. Introductory materials

 Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants

 Application Transmittal Instructions

 Instructions for D-U-N-S Number

B. Application Notice, Program Statute, and Program Regulations 

 Application Notice

 Program Statute

 Program Regulations

C. General Application Instructions and Information 

 General Instructions

 Instructions for ED Abstract Narrative

 Instructions for Project Narrative

 Instructions for Budget Form and Related Information

 Instructions for Other Attachments Form

 Responding to the Invitational Priority, Competitive Priority, and 

Project Selection Criteria

 Application Content Requirements

 Grantee Reporting and Performance Measures

 Table 1- Non-Grant Funds Projected to be Generated 

 Table 2- Applicant Activity Table for the Most Recently

Completed Fiscal Year

 Table 3- Budget Form
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 Instructions for Table 3 - Budget Form: Grant Funds Expenditures

 Table 4 – Risk Level of Charter Schools Served

 Application Checklist

D. Instructions to Standard Forms and Grant Application Requirements

 Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

 Instructions for the SF-424

 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

 Instructions for the Completion of SF-LLL, Disclosure of 

 Lobbying Activities

 Certification Regarding Lobbying

 Supplemental Information and Instructions for Department of 

 Education Supplemental Information for SF 424

 Budget ED 524 and Instructions for ED 524

 GEPA Statement

 Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) 

 Grants.gov Lobbying Form (formerly ED 80-0013 form)

 Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants

E. Other Important Information and Notices

 Executive Order 12372 

 Estimated Public Reporting Burden
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INTRODUCTORY 

MATERIALS
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GRANTS.GOV LANGUAGE WILL BE UPDATED ONCE NEW 

INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ FIRST

U.S. Department of Education

Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants

To facilitate your use of Grants.gov, this document includes important submission procedures 

you need to be aware of to ensure your application is received in a timely manner and accepted 

by the Department of Education.

ATTENTION – Adobe Forms and PDF Files Required

Applications submitted to Grants.gov for the Department of Education will be posted using 

Adobe forms. Therefore, applicants will need to download a newer version of Adobe reader 

(Grants.gov recommends Adobe Reader 10.1.4). Information on computer and operating system 

compatibility with Adobe, links to download a newer version, and warnings about using Adobe 

Reader XI are all available on Grants.gov. We strongly recommend that you review these details 

on www.Grants.gov before completing and submitting your application. In addition, applicants 

should submit their application a day or two in advance of the closing date as detailed below. 

Also, applicants are required to upload their attachments in .pdf format only. (See details below 

under “Attaching Files – Additional Tips.”).

Please be aware that Grants.gov has discovered an issue with the newest version of 

Adobe Reader XI.

Applicants may encounter the following error that will prevent them from submitting 

their application:

"At least one required Field was empty. Please fill in the required field (highlighted) 

before continuing."

Grants.gov recommends that if applicants encounter this issue, they submit their 

application using any version below Adobe Reader XI. Please refer to the compatibility

table for additional information about supported versions of Adobe Reader. If you have 

any questions regarding this matter please email the Grants.gov Contact Center at 

support@grants.gov or call 1-800-518-4726.

Application Tips

1) REGISTER EARLY – Grants.gov registration may take five or more business days to 

complete. You may begin working on your application while completing the registration 

process, but you cannot submit an application until all of the Registration steps are 

complete. For detailed information on the Registration Steps, please go to: 
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http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp [Note: Your organization will need

to update its SAM registration annually (formerly Central Contractor Registry (CCR)*.]

Registration in Brief (ALLOW 4 WEEKS FOR COMPLETION OF ALL STEPS)

a. Obtain DUNS Number

Same day. If requested by phone (1-866-705-5711) DUNS is provided 

immediately. If your organization does not have one, you will need to go to the 

Dun & Bradstreet website at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform to obtain the 

number.

b. Register with SAM. Ensure that your organization is registered with the System 

for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. If 

your organization is not registered within the SAM, an authorizing official of 

your organization must register. 

May take up to two weeks.

i. If you already have a Tax Identification Number TIN, your SAM 

registration will take three or more business days to complete. 

ii. If you are applying for an EIN please allow up to two weeks. 

c. Username & Password

Same day. Complete your AOR (Authorized Organization Representative) profile 

on Grants.gov and create your username and password. You will need to use your 

organization’s DUNS Number to complete this step. 

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister.

d. AOR Authorization

*Same day. The E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) at your organization 

must login to Grants.gov to confirm you as an Authorized Organization 

Representative (AOR). Please note that there can be more than one AOR for your 

organization. In some cases the E-Biz POC is also the AOR for an 

organization. *TIME DEPENDS ON RESPONSIVENESS OF YOUR E-BIZ POC.

e. TRACK AOR STATUS

At any time, you can track your AOR status by logging in with your username 

and password. Login as an Applicant (enter your username & password) using the 

following: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/org_step6.jsp.

2) SUBMIT EARLY – We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the last day 

to submit your application. Grants.gov will put a date/time stamp on your 

application and then process it after it is fully uploaded. The time it takes to upload 

an application will vary depending on a number of factors including the size of the 

application and the speed of your Internet connection, and the time it takes Grants.gov to 

process the application will vary as well. If Grants.gov rejects your application (see step 

three below), you will need to resubmit successfully to Grants.gov before 4:30:00 p.m.

Washington, DC time on the deadline date. 
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Note: To submit successfully, you must provide the DUNS number on your 

application that was used when you registered as an Authorized Organization 

Representative (AOR) on Grants.gov. This DUNS number is typically the same 

number used when your organization registered with the SAM (formerly CCR -

Central Contractor Registry). If you do not enter the same DUNS number on your 

application as the DUNS you registered with, Grants.gov will reject your 

application.

3) VERIFY SUBMISSION IS OK – You will want to verify that Grants.gov received your 

application submission on time and that it was validated successfully. To see the 

date/time your application was received, login to Grants.gov and click on the Track My

Application link. For a successful submission, the date/time received should be earlier 

than 4:30:00 p.m. Washington, DC time, on the deadline date, AND the application status 

should be: Validated, Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned. 

Once the Department of Education receives your application from Grants.gov, an Agency

Tracking Number (PR/award number) will be assigned to your application and will be 

available for viewing on Grants.gov’s Track My Application link.

4) If the date/time received is later than 4:30:00 p.m. Washington, D.C. time, on the 

deadline date, your application is late. If your application has a status of “Received” it is 

still awaiting validation by Grants.gov. Once validation is complete, the status will either 

change to “Validated” or “Rejected with Errors.” If the status is “Rejected with Errors,” 

your application has not been received successfully. Some of the reasons Grants.gov 

may reject an application can be found on the Grants.gov site: 

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_faqs.jsp#54. For more detailed information 

on troubleshooting Adobe errors, you can review the Adobe Reader Error Messages 

document at http://www.grants.gov/assets/AdobeReaderErrorMessages.pdf. If you 

discover your application is late or has been rejected, please see the instructions below. 

Note: You will receive a series of confirmations both online and via e-mail about the 

status of your application. Please do not rely solely on e-mail to confirm whether your 

application has been received timely and validated successfully. 

Submission Problems – What should you do?

If you have problems submitting to Grants.gov before the closing date, please contact Grants.gov 

Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or http://www.grants.gov/contactus/contactus.jsp, or 

access the Grants.gov Self-Service web portal at: https://grantsportal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants. If you contact the Grants.gov helpdesk, please make 

sure that you obtain a case number. 

You must submit an electronic application before 4:30:00 p.m., unless you follow the procedures 

in the Federal Register notice and qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission 

requirement and submit, no later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
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statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these exceptions. (See the Federal 

Register notice for detailed instructions.)

Helpful Hints When Working with Grants.gov

Please note, once you download an application from Grants.gov, you will be working offline and 

saving data on your computer. Please be sure to note where you are saving the Grants.gov file 

on your computer. You will need to logon to Grants.gov to upload and submit the application. 

You must provide the DUNS number on your application that was used when you 

registered as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) on Grants.gov.

Please go to http://www.grants.gov/contactus/contactus.jsp for help with Grants.gov. For 

additional tips related to submitting grant applications, please refer to the Grants.gov Submit 

Application FAQs found on the Grants.gov 

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/submit_application_faqs.jsp. 

Dial-Up Internet Connections

When using a dial up connection to upload and submit your application, it can take significantly

longer than when you are connected to the Internet with a high-speed connection, e.g. cable 

modem/DSL/T1. While times will vary depending upon the size of your application, it can take 

a few minutes to a few hours to complete your grant submission using a dial up connection. If 

you do not have access to a high-speed connection and electronic submission is required, 

you may want to consider following the instructions in the Federal Register notice to obtain 

an exception to the electronic submission requirement no later than two weeks before the 

application deadline date. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.) 

MAC Users

For MAC compatibility information, review the Operating System Platform Compatibility Table 

at the following Grants.gov link: http://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp. If

electronic submission is required and you are concerned about your ability to submit 

electronically as a non-windows user, please follow instructions in the Federal Register

notice to obtain an exception to the electronic submission requirement no later than two 

weeks before the application deadline date. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed 

instructions.)

Attaching Files – Additional Tips

Please note the following tips related to attaching files to your application, especially the 

requirement that applicants only include read-only, non-modifiable .PDF files in their 

application:

1. Ensure that you attach .PDF files only for any attachments to your application, and 

they must be in a read-only, non-modifiable format. PDF files are the only

Education approved file type accepted as detailed in the Federal Register application 
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notice. Applicants must submit individual .PDF files only when attaching files to 

their application. Specifically, the Department will not accept any attachments that 

contain files within a file, such as PDF Portfolio files, or an interactive or fillable 

.PDF file. Any attachments uploaded that are not .PDF files or are password 

protected files will not be read. If you need assistance converting your files to a .pdf 

format, please refer to the following Grants.gov webpage with links to conversion 

programs under the heading of additional resources: 

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp

2. Grants.gov cannot process an application that includes two or more files that have the 

same name within a grant submission. Therefore, each file uploaded to your 

application package should have a unique file name.

3. When attaching files, applicants should follow the guidelines established by 

Grants.gov on the size and content of file names. Uploaded files must be less than 50 

characters, contain no spaces, no special characters (example: -, &, *, %, /, #, \) 

including periods (.), blank spaces and accent marks. Applications submitted that do 

not comply with the Grants.gov guidelines will be rejected at Grants.gov and not 

forwarded to the Department. 

4. Applicants should limit the size of their file attachments. Documents submitted that 

contain graphics and/or scanned material often greatly increase the size of the file 

attachments and can result in difficulties opening the files. For reference, the average 

discretionary grant application package totals 1 to 2 MB. Therefore, you may want to 

check the total size of your package before submission.

*Please note that the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) was replaced by the System for 

Award Management (SAM) effective July 30, 2012. For more information on the 

migration of CCR data to SAM, grant applicants should read this information located on 

Grants.gov: 

http://grants-gov.blogspot.com/2012/07/information-about-pendingmigration.html#!/2012/07/information-about-pending-migration.html
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Please Note – Electronic Submission Policy

Electronic Submission is Required – As outlined in the Federal Register notice for this grant 

competition, applications must be submitted electronically. You must submit your application 

using the electronic application system designated in the Federal Register notice. (The notice 

will designate whether you will use e-Application or Grants.gov). You may not e-mail an 

electronic copy to us. We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format unless you 

qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement described below and

submit, no later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written statement to the 

Department that you qualify for one of these exceptions.

Under mandatory submission, electronic applications must be received by 4:30:00 pm 

Washington, DC time on the application deadline date. Under this new policy, Education does 

not allow for any last minute waiver requests from applications, which is a change from the 

previous policy for mandatory electronic submission. Consequently, we strongly encourage 

you to review the registration and submission procedures for the designated electronic 

application system right away. In addition, we strongly suggest that you do not wait until 

the deadline date to submit your application.

Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an exception to the electronic 

submission requirement, and may submit your application in paper format, by mail or hand 

delivery, if you are unable to submit an application through the electronic application system 

designated in the Federal Register notice because –

 You do not have access to the Internet; or

 You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to the system;

and

 No later than two weeks before the application deadline date (14 calendar days or, if the 

fourteenth calendar day before the application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, 

the next business day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 

to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception prevent you 

from using the Internet to submit your application. If you mail your written statement to 

the Department, it must be postmarked no later than two weeks before the application 

deadline date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must receive the 

faxed statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. (Please 

follow the fax instructions found in the Federal Register notice for this competition. 

Also, your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the mail or hand 

delivery instructions also described in the Federal Register notice for this grant 

competition.)

For detailed information on the electronic submission requirement for this competition, 

please refer to the Federal Register notice. 
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Instructions for D-U-N-S Number

All applicants must have a D-U-N-S number in order to apply for federal funds.

NOTE: Check with your fiscal office to see if your institution has an assigned D-U-N-S before 

contacting Dun & Bradstreet.

Please provide the applicant's D-U-N-S Number. You can obtain your D-U-N-S Number at no 

charge by calling 1-800-333-0505 or by completing a D-U-N-S Number Request Form. The 

form can be obtained via the Internet at the following URL:

http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/index.html

The D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine digit number that does not convey any information about 

the recipient. A built-in check digit helps assure the accuracy of the D-U-N-S Number. The 

ninth digit of each number is the check digit, which is mathematically related to the other digits. 

It lets computer systems determine if a D-U-N-S Number has been entered correctly.

Dun & Bradstreet, a global information services provider, has assigned D-U-N-S numbers to 

over 43 million companies worldwide. Live help Monday-Friday 8am-6pm (EST) Dial 1-888-

814-1435.

Note: Electronic submission via Grants.gov must use the D-U-N-S number your organization 

used when it registered in the System for Award Management.
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APPLICATION NOTICE, 

PROGRAM STATUTE, 

AND PROGRAM 

REGULATIONS
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Insert application notice here when complete
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Program Statute

Subpart 2 — Credit Enhancement Initiatives To Assist Charter School Facility 

Acquisition, Construction, and Renovation. Elementary and Secondary Education

Act of 1965, as amended and Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34. 

SEC. 5221. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this subpart is to provide grants to eligible entities to permit the 

eligible entities to demonstrate innovative credit enhancement initiatives that assist 

charter schools to address the cost of acquiring, constructing, and renovating 

facilities.

SEC. 5222. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.

(a) GRANTS- The Secretary shall use 100 percent of the amount available to carry

out this subpart to award not less than three grants to eligible entities that have 

applications approved under this subpart to demonstrate innovative methods of 

assisting charter schools to address the cost of acquiring, constructing, and 

renovating facilities by enhancing the availability of loans or bond financing.

(b) GRANTEE SELECTION-

(1) EVALUATION OF APPLICATION- The Secretary shall evaluate each 

application submitted under section 5223, and shall determine whether the 

application is sufficient to merit approval.

(2) DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS- The Secretary shall award at least one 

grant to an eligible entity described in section 5230(2)(A), at least one grant 

to an eligible entity described in section 5230(2)(B), and at least one grant 

to an eligible entity described in section 5230(2)(C), if applications are 

submitted that permit the Secretary to do so without approving an 

application that is not of sufficient quality to merit approval.

(c) GRANT CHARACTERISTICS- Grants under this subpart shall be of a 

sufficient size, scope, and quality so as to ensure an effective demonstration of an 

innovative means of enhancing credit for the financing of charter school 

acquisition, construction, or renovation.

(d) SPECIAL RULE- In the event the Secretary determines that the funds made 

available under this subpart are insufficient to permit the Secretary to award not 

less than three grants in accordance with subsections (a) through (c), such threegrant minimum and subsection (b)(2) shall not apply, and the Secretary may

determine the appropriate number of grants to be awarded in accordance with 

subsection (c).

SEC. 5223. APPLICATIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- To receive a grant under this subpart, an eligible entity shall 

submit to the Secretary an application in such form as the Secretary may

reasonably require.

(b) CONTENTS- An application submitted under subsection (a) shall contain —

(1) a statement identifying the activities proposed to be undertaken with 

funds received under this subpart, including how the eligible entity will 

determine which charter schools will receive assistance, and how much and 

what types of assistance charter schools will receive;
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(2) a description of the involvement of charter schools in the application's 

development and the design of the proposed activities;

(3) a description of the eligible entity's expertise in capital market 

financing;

(4) a description of how the proposed activities will leverage the maximum 

amount of private-sector financing capital relative to the amount of 

government funding used and otherwise enhance credit available to charter 

schools;

(5) a description of how the eligible entity possesses sufficient expertise in 

education to evaluate the likelihood of success of a charter school program 

for which facilities financing is sought;(6) in the case of an application 

submitted by a State governmental entity, a description of the actions that 

the entity has taken, or will take, to ensure that charter schools within the 

State receive the funding the charter schools need to have adequate 

facilities; and

(7) such other information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

SEC. 5224. CHARTER SCHOOL OBJECTIVES.

An eligible entity receiving a grant under this subpart shall use the funds deposited 

in the reserve account established under section 5225(a) to assist one or more 

charter schools to access private sector capital to accomplish one or both of the 

following objectives:

(1) The acquisition (by purchase, lease, donation, or otherwise) of an 

interest (including an interest held by a third party for the benefit of a

charter school) in improved or unimproved real property that is necessary

to commence or continue the operation of a charter school.

(2) The construction of new facilities, or the renovation, repair, or alteration 

of existing facilities, necessary to commence or continue the operation of a 

charter school.

SEC. 5225. RESERVE ACCOUNT.

(a) USE OF FUNDS- To assist charter schools to accomplish the objectives 

described in section 5224, an eligible entity receiving a grant under this subpart 

shall, in accordance with State and local law, directly or indirectly, alone or in 

collaboration with others, deposit the funds received under this subpart (other than 

funds used for administrative costs in accordance with section 5226) in a reserve 

account established and maintained by the eligible entity for this purpose. Amounts 

deposited in such account shall be used by the eligible entity for one or more of the 

following purposes:

(1) Guaranteeing, insuring, and reinsuring bonds, notes, evidences of debt, 

loans, and interests therein, the proceeds of which are used for an objective 

described in section 5224.

(2) Guaranteeing and insuring leases of personal and real property for an 

objective described in section 5224.

(3) Facilitating financing by identifying potential lending sources, 

encouraging private lending, and other similar activities that directly

promote lending to, or for the benefit of, charter schools.

(4) Facilitating the issuance of bonds by charter schools, or by other public 
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entities for the benefit of charter schools, by providing technical, 

administrative, and other appropriate assistance (including the recruitment 

of bond counsel, underwriters, and potential investors and the consolidation 

of multiple charter school projects within a single bond issue).

(b) INVESTMENT- Funds received under this subpart and deposited in the reserve 

account established under subsection (a) shall be invested in obligations issued or 

guaranteed by the United States or a State, or in other similarly low-risk securities.

(c) REINVESTMENT OF EARNINGS- Any earnings on funds received under this 

subpart shall be deposited in the reserve account established under subsection (a) 

and used in accordance with such subsection.

SEC. 5226. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.

An eligible entity may use not more than 0.25 percent of the funds received under 

this subpart for the administrative costs of carrying out its responsibilities under 

this subpart.

SEC. 5227. AUDITS AND REPORTS.

(a) FINANCIAL RECORD MAINTENANCE AND AUDIT- The financial 

records of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this subpart shall be 

maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and 

shall be subject to an annual audit by an independent public accountant.

(b) REPORTS-

(1) GRANTEE ANNUAL REPORTS- Each eligible entity receiving a 

grant under this subpart annually shall submit to the Secretary a report of its 

operations and activities under this subpart.

(2) CONTENTS- Each annual report submitted under paragraph (1) shall 

include —

(A) a copy of the most recent financial statements, and any

accompanying opinion on such statements, prepared by the 

independent public accountant reviewing the financial records of 

the eligible entity;

(B) a copy of any report made on an audit of the financial records of 

the eligible entity that was conducted under subsection (a) during 

the reporting period;

(C) an evaluation by the eligible entity of the effectiveness of its use 

of the Federal funds provided under this subpart in leveraging 

private funds;

(D) a listing and description of the charter schools served during the 

reporting period;

(E) a description of the activities carried out by the eligible entity to 

assist charter schools in meeting the objectives set forth in section 

5224; and

(F) a description of the characteristics of lenders and other financial 

institutions participating in the activities undertaken by the eligible 

entity under this subpart during the reporting period.

(3) SECRETARIAL REPORT- The Secretary shall review the reports 

submitted under paragraph (1) and shall provide a comprehensive annual 

report to Congress on the activities conducted under this subpart.
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SEC. 5228. NO FULL FAITH AND CREDIT FOR GRANTEE OBLIGATIONS.

No financial obligation of an eligible entity entered into pursuant to this subpart 

(such as an obligation under a guarantee, bond, note, evidence of debt, or loan) 

shall be an obligation of, or guaranteed in any respect by, the United States. The 

full faith and credit of the United States is not pledged to the payment of funds 

which may be required to be paid under any obligation made by an eligible entity

pursuant to any provision of this subpart.

SEC. 5229. RECOVERY OF FUNDS.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, in accordance with chapter 37 of title 31, United 

States Code, shall collect —

(1) all of the funds in a reserve account established by an eligible entity

under section 5225(a) if the Secretary determines, not earlier than 2 years 

after the date on which the eligible entity first received funds under this 

subpart, that the eligible entity has failed to make substantial progress in 

carrying out the purposes described in section 5225(a); or

(2) all or a portion of the funds in a reserve account established by an 

eligible entity under section 5225(a) if the Secretary determines that the 

eligible entity has permanently ceased to use all or a portion of the funds in 

such account to accomplish any purpose described in section 5225(a).

(b) EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY- The Secretary shall not exercise the authority

provided in subsection (a) to collect from any eligible entity any funds that are 

being properly used to achieve one or more of the purposes described in section 

5225(a).

(c) PROCEDURES- The provisions of sections 451, 452, and 458 of the General 

Education Provisions Act shall apply to the recovery of funds under subsection (a).

(d) CONSTRUCTION- This section shall not be construed to impair or affect the 

authority of the Secretary to recover funds under part D of the General Education 

Provisions Act.

SEC. 5230. DEFINITIONS.

In this subpart:

(1) CHARTER SCHOOL- The term charter school' has the meaning given 

such term in section 5210.

(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- The term eligible entity' means —

(A) a public entity, such as a State or local governmental entity;

(B) a private nonprofit entity; or

(C) a consortium of entities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).

SEC. 5231. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

For the purpose of carrying out this subpart, there are authorized to be appropriated 

$150,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003.
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Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program 

Regulations

Subpart A—General Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended and 

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34.

Sec.

225.1 What is the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program?

225.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant?

225.3 What regulations apply to the Credit Enhancement for Charter School 

Facilities Program?

225.4 What definitions apply to the Credit Enhancement for Charter School 

Facilities Program?

Subpart B--How Does the Secretary Award a Grant?

225.10 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?

225.11 What selection criteria does the Secretary use in evaluating an application for 

a Credit Enhancement for Charter Schools Facilities grant?

225.12 What funding priority may the Secretary use in making a grant award?

Subpart C--What Conditions Must Be Met by a Grantee?

225.20 When may a grantee draw down funds?

225.21 What are some examples of impermissible uses of reserve account funds?

AUTHORITY: 20 U.S.C. 7223, unless otherwise noted.
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Subpart A - General

§225.1 What is the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program?

(a) The Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program provides 

grants to eligible entities to assist charter schools in obtaining facilities.

(b) Grantees use these grants to do the following:

(1) Assist charter schools in obtaining loans, bonds, and other debt instruments for 

the purpose of obtaining, constructing, and renovating facilities.

(2) Assist charter schools in obtaining leases of facilities.

(c) Grantees may demonstrate innovative credit enhancement initiatives while 

meeting the program purposes under paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) For the purposes of these regulations, the Credit Enhancement for Charter 

School Facilities Program includes grants made under the Charter School Facilities 

Financing Demonstration Grant Program.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7223)

§225.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant?

The following are eligible to receive a grant under this part:

(a) A public entity, such as a State or local governmental entity;

(b) A private nonprofit entity; or

(c) A consortium of entities described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7223a; 7223i(2))

§225.3 What regulations apply to the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities 

Program?
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The following regulations apply to the Credit Enhancement for Charter School 

Facilities Program:

(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as 

follows:

(1) 34 CFR part 74 (Administration of Grants and Agreements with Institutions of 

Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit Organizations).

(2) 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).

(3) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations).

(4) 34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education 

Programs and Activities).

(5) 34 CFR part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 

Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).

(6) 34 CFR part 81 (General Educational Provisions Act--Enforcement).

(7) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).

(8) 34 CFR part 84 (Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace 

(Grants)).

(9) 34 CFR part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension 

(Nonprocurement)).

(10) 34 CFR part 97 (Protection of Human Subjects).

(11) 34 CFR part 98 (Student Rights in Research, Experimental Programs, and 

Testing).

(12) 34 CFR part 99 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy).

(b) The regulations in this part 225.
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(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3; 1232)

§225.4 What definitions apply to the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities 

Program?

(a) Definitions in the Act. The following term used in this part is defined in 

section 5210 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the 

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001:

Charter school

(b) Definitions in EDGAR. The following terms used in this part are defined in 

34 CFR 77.1:

Acquisition

Applicant

Application

Award

Department

EDGAR

Facilities

Grant

Grantee

Nonprofit

Private

Project

Public

Secretary
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(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221(i)(1); 7223d)

Subpart B -- How Does the Secretary Award a Grant?

§225.10 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?

(a) The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the criteria in §225.11.

(b) The Secretary awards up to 100 points for these criteria.

(c) The maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7223; 1232)

§225.11 What selection criteria does the Secretary use in evaluating an application for a 

Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities grant?

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application for a Credit 

Enhancement for Charter School Facilities grant:

(a) Quality of project design and significance. (35 points) In determining the 

quality of project design and significance, the Secretary considers--

(1) The extent to which the grant proposal would provide financing to charter 

schools at better rates and terms than they can receive absent assistance through the 

program;

(2) The extent to which the project goals, objectives, and timeline are clearly

specified, measurable, and appropriate for the purpose of the program;

(3) The extent to which the project implementation plan and activities, including 

the partnerships established, are likely to achieve measurable objectives that further the 

purposes of the program;

(4) The extent to which the project is likely to produce results that are replicable;
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(5) The extent to which the project will use appropriate criteria for selecting 

charter schools for assistance and for determining the type and amount of assistance to be 

given;

(6) The extent to which the proposed activities will leverage private or publicsector funding and increase the number and variety of charter schools assisted in meeting 

their facilities needs more than would be accomplished absent the program;

(7) The extent to which the project will serve charter schools in States with strong 

charter laws, consistent with the criteria for such laws in section 5202(e)(3) of the 

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and

(8) The extent to which the requested grant amount and the project costs are 

reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the project. 

(b) Quality of project services. (15 points) In determining the quality of the 

project services, the Secretary considers--

(1) The extent to which the services to be provided by the project reflect the 

identified needs of the charter schools to be served;

(2) The extent to which charter schools and chartering agencies were involved in 

the design of, and demonstrate support for, the project;

(3) The extent to which the technical assistance and other services to be provided 

by the proposed grant project involve the use of cost-effective strategies for increasing 

charter schools’ access to facilities financing, including the reasonableness of fees and 

lending terms; and
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(4) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed grant project 

are focused on assisting charter schools with a likelihood of success and the greatest 

demonstrated need for assistance under the program.

(c) Capacity. (35 points) In determining an applicant’s business and 

organizational capacity to carry out the project, the Secretary considers--

(1) The amount and quality of experience of the applicant in carrying out the 

activities it proposes to undertake in its application, such as enhancing the credit on debt 

issuances, guaranteeing leases, and facilitating financing;

(2) The applicant’s financial stability;

(3) The ability of the applicant to protect against unwarranted risk in its loan 

underwriting, portfolio monitoring, and financial management;

(4) The applicant’s expertise in education to evaluate the likelihood of success of 

a charter school;

(5) The ability of the applicant to prevent conflicts of interest, including conflicts 

of interest by employees and members of the board of directors in a decision-making 

role; 

(6) If the applicant has co-applicants (consortium members), partners, or other 

grant project participants, the specific resources to be contributed by each co-applicant 

(consortium member), partner, or other grant project participant to the implementation 

and success of the grant project;

(7) For State governmental entities, the extent to which steps have been or will be 

taken to ensure that charter schools within the State receive the funding needed to obtain 

adequate facilities; and
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(8) For previous grantees under the charter school facilities programs, their 

performance in implementing these grants.

(d) Quality of project personnel. (15 points) In determining the quality of project 

personnel, the Secretary considers--

(1) The qualifications of project personnel, including relevant training and 

experience, of the project manager and other members of the project team, including 

consultants or subcontractors; and

(2) The staffing plan for the grant project.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1855-

0007)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7223; 1232)

§225.12 What funding priority may the Secretary use in making a grant award?

(a) The Secretary may award up to 15 additional points under a competitive 

priority related to the capacity of charter schools to offer public school choice in those 

communities with the greatest need for this choice based on--

(1) The extent to which the applicant would target services to geographic areas in 

which a large proportion or number of public schools have been identified for 

improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under Title I of the Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001;

(2) The extent to which the applicant would target services to geographic areas in 

which a large proportion of students perform below proficient on State academic 

assessments; and
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(3) The extent to which the applicant would target services to communities with 

large proportions of students from low-income families.

(b) The Secretary may elect to--

(1) Use this competitive priority only in certain years; and

(2) Consider the points awarded under this priority only for proposals that exhibit 

sufficient quality to warrant funding under the selection criteria in §225.11.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1855-0007)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7223; 1232)

Subpart C--What Conditions Must Be Met by a Grantee?

§225.20 When may a grantee draw down funds?

(a) A grantee may draw down funds after it has signed a performance agreement 

acceptable to the Department of Education and the grantee.

(b) A grantee may draw down and spend a limited amount of funds prior to 

reaching an acceptable performance agreement provided that the grantee requests to draw 

down and spend a specific amount of funds and the Department of Education approves 

the request in writing.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7223d)

§225.21 What are some examples of impermissible uses of reserve account funds?

(a) Grantees must not use reserve account funds to--

(1) Directly pay for a charter school’s construction, renovation, repair, or 

acquisition; or
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(2) Provide a down payment on facilities in order to secure loans for charter 

schools. A grantee may, however, use funds to guarantee a loan for the portion of the 

loan that would otherwise have to be funded with a down payment.

(b) In the event of a default of payment to lenders or contractors by a charter 

school whose loan or lease is guaranteed by reserve account funds, a grantee may use 

these funds to cover defaulted payments that are referenced under paragraph (a)(1) of this 

section.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7223d)
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GENERAL APPLICATION 

INSTRUCTIONS AND 

INFORMATION 
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General Instructions

The 84.354A application consists of the following, as outlined in the Federal Register 

Notice. All forms listed below are required. Please review all instructions and the 

Federal Register Notice before completing your application. 

If you have received an exemption to the mandatory electronic submission requirement 

and are submitting a hard copy application, you will not use these forms, but will prepare 

a narrative incorporating each element.

ED Abstract Form - The abstract is to be attached to the “ED Abstract Form” in the 

application package in Grants.gov. The abstract narrative must not exceed one page and 

should use language that will be understood by a range of audiences. The abstract 

narrative must include the name and address of the applicant and the name, phone 

number, and e-mail address of the project director for this project. 

Project Narrative Attachment Form – Before preparing the project narrative, applicants 

should review the Federal Register Notice and the program statute for specific 

guidance and requirements. Note the applications will be evaluated according to the 

specific Selection Criteria specified in the Federal Register Notice. 

The Project Narrative Attachment Form is where applicants will attach their narrative 

responses to the application requirements and selection criteria that will be used to

evaluate applications submitted for this competition. This section has a suggested page 

limit of 40 pages. 

Also included in this section, but not subject to the 40 page limit, will be a table of 

contents and response to the competitive preference priority and invitational priority.

Budget Form (Listed as Department of Education Budget Information for NonConstruction Programs ED-524) – The ED-524 is a required form for submitting an 

application on Grants.gov. Applicants will need to fill out this budget form in addition to 

Table 3 (Table 3 will be attached to the Budget Narrative Attachment Form). 

For the ED-524, applicants will only need to fill out Row 8 (titled "Other") in Project 

Year 1. The amount listed in row 12. Total Costs should reflect the total amount of grant 

funds requested. 

Budget Narrative Attachment Form – The Budget Narrative Attachment Form is where 

applicants will attach Table 3 and any other budget explanations or comments deemed 

necessary. 

Other Attachments Form – The Other Attachment Form is where the applicant will attach 

additional documents, including resumes/curriculum vitae, and appendices. This form is 

also where the applicant will upload Table 1, Table 2, and Table 4. 
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Electronic submission requires that narratives and other files be attached to the following 

attachment forms as per the instruction in this document such as:

 One page Abstract must be attached to the “Department of Education Abstract 

Form”

 Program Narratives must be attached to the “Program Narrative Attachment 

Form”

 Budget Narratives must be attached to the “Budget Narrative Attachment Form”

 All vitas, resumes, table of contents, letters, certifications, supplementary

statements; and other requested appendices must be attached to the “Other 

Attachment Forms”

Note: Please do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to 

the Standard Form (SF 424). Although this form accepts attachments, the Department of 

Education will only review materials/files attached to the attachment forms listed above.

Forms, Assurances, and Certifications

Applicants must complete all forms included in the application package. Instructions for 

the following forms are included in this document: 

• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

• Instructions for the SF-424

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

• Instructions for the Completion of SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Certification Regarding Lobbying

• Supplemental Information and Instructions for Department of Education 

Supplemental Information for SF 424

• Budget ED 524 and Instructions for ED 524

• GEPA Statement

• Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) 

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form (formerly ED 80-0013 form)

• Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
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Instructions for ED Abstract Narrative

The abstract is to be attached to the “ED Abstract Attachment Form” in the application 

package in Grants.gov.

The abstract narrative must include the name and address of your organization and the 

name, phone number, and e-mail address of the contact person for this project.

The abstract narrative must not exceed one page and should use language that will be 

understood by a range of audiences. For all projects, include the project title (if 

applicable), goals, expected outcomes and contributions for research, policy, practice, etc. 

Address how your application meets the purpose of the Credit Enhancement for Charter 

School Facilities program as stated in the Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards.
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Instructions for Project Narrative

Before preparing the project narrative, applicants should review the Federal Register 

notice, the Dear Applicant Letter, and the program statute for specific guidance and 

requirements. Note that applications will be evaluated according to the specific selection 

criteria specified in the Federal Register notice.

Please limit the Project Narrative to 40 pages, double-spaced, and number the pages 

consecutively. Refer to the Federal Register notice for additional application submission 

requirements.

This part of your application contains information responsive to the Project Selection 

Criteria and the Application Content Requirements. Make sure that your narrative 

addresses all of the elements. We strongly recommend that the information be organized 

around and appear in the same sequence as the Project Selection Criteria. Please upload 

the program narrative as one document. 
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Instructions for Budget Form and Related Information

This part of the application contains information about the Federal funding you are 

requesting. You must fill in the ED 524 budget form. For the ED 524, applicants will 

frequently only need to fill out Row 8 (titled "Other") in Project Year 1. 

Applicants are also required to fill out Table 3 and provide explanations and comments 

necessary to interpret the information you provide on this form. 

Both of these forms (the ED 524 and Table 3) will be uploaded in the Budget Form 

Section. 

 
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Instructions for Other Attachments Form

Additional documents are to be attached to the “Other Attachments Form” in the 

application package in Grants.gov. These would be supplementary statements and other 

requested information.

In addition to the program narrative, applications should include resumes for key

personnel. Before preparing additional documentation, applicants should review the 

Federal Register notice, the Dear Applicant Letter, and the program statute for specific 

guidance and requirements. Note that applications will be evaluated according to the 

specific selection criteria specified in the Federal Register notice.

To facilitate the review of the application, please organize your attachments in the 

following order:

1. Table 1 - Non-Grant Funds Projected to be Generated

2. Table 2 - Applicant Activity Table for the Most Recently Completed Fiscal Year

3. Table 4 - Risk Level of Charter Schools Served (required of past grantees only)

4. Consortium agreements

5. Resumes/Curriculum Vitae

6. Appendices

Consortium Agreements:

Consortium applicants must also submit consortium agreements as part of their 

application package. These applicants must either designate one member of the group to 

apply for the grant or establish a separate legal entity to apply for the grant. All members 

of the consortium must then enter into an agreement that details the activities that each 

member of the group plans to perform and that binds each member to the application 

statements and assurances. This consortium agreement must be submitted as part of the 

consortium’s application. The Department's administrative regulations at 34 CFR 

sections 75.127--129 provide more details about the requirements that govern 

group/consortium applications.

Resumes/Curriculum Vitae:

Provide resumes/curriculum vitae for the project director as well as any key personnel 

identified in the application.
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Responding to the Invitational Priority, Competitive Priority, 

and Project Selection Criteria

The Challenge: Helping Charter Schools and Promoting School Choice 

Charter schools have difficulty obtaining adequate facilities in part because lenders, 

investors, and landlords tend to perceive them as a financial risk. These perceived risks 

sometimes mean that charter schools pay premium interest or rent or that lenders, 

investors, and landlords refuse to do business with them. 

Charter schools are unique public schools in that they are held accountable and face the 

threat of being closed if they fail to perform at a level high enough to justify renewal of 

their charter. Charters for these schools must typically be renewed every 3-5 years, and a 

charter school that is not renewed would likely not be able to continue making payments 

on long-term debt. While the vast majority of charter schools meet their performance 

goals and continue to operate, performance-based accountability presents a potential 

threat to investors. 

Unlike traditional local educational agencies (LEAs), charter school LEAs generally lack 

the ability to issue general obligation bonds backed by property taxes. Investors consider 

these bonds to have far less risk than bonds that are backed only by per-pupil revenue 

flows, which is the only debt some charters schools can issue. 

Many factors affect the extent to which charter schools have equitable access to privatesector and other capital for financing. The length of time the school has been in 

operation, its size, and the populations being served all play into the school’s ability to 

obtain financing and a reasonable rate. For example, lenders may feel more comfortable 

working with well-established schools with proven track records than with start-ups, and 

they may find schools working with high- achieving populations a safer risk than those 

serving low-performing students. 

Charter schools serve as a key to providing meaningful public school choice. In addition, 

the number of charter schools that grantees will be able to serve with these funds is 

limited. Consequently, proposals that focus funds on areas that need school choice the 

most will score higher than other proposals.

The Secretary will select for funding under the Credit Enhancement for Charter School 

Facilities Program those applications that are deemed of highest overall quality. Experts 

in finance, including school facilities finance and credit enhancement, will review the 

applications and assign to each application up to 115 points using the Project Selection 

Criteria and corresponding weights described in this section and the Competitive Priority. 

Each criterion includes factors the reviewers will consider in determining how well an 

application meets the criterion.

Reviewers will use their own professional judgment to assess the quality of each 

application against these criteria. To be competitive, applicants must address each of the 
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selection criteria fully and clearly. The kind of information needed to accomplish this for 

each criterion is discussed below. Since much of the information needed to address fully 

each criterion is also information that is required for other purposes (see the Application 

Content Requirements section of this package), we recommend that applicants organize 

their application narrative around the Competitive Priority and the Project Selection 

Criteria. While the application reviewers will score the Competitive Priority, they will 

not score the Invitational Priority.

The Competitive Priority is for applicants that propose a grant project that increases the 

capacity of charter schools to offer school choice in those communities with the greatest 

need for public school choice. The Invitational Priority is for applicants that propose a 

grant project that uses competitive forces to obtain the best pricing for charter schools 

while using the least amount of grant funds. While we will not score applicants based on 

the Invitational Priority, we encourage applicants to take advantage of competitive forces 

if their model allows them to do so.

Project Selection Criteria that will be used by the application reviewers address two 

important questions:

A. Has the applicant proposed a grant project that will make a significant 

contribution toward meeting the purpose of the Credit Enhancement for Charter 

School Facilities Program and thereby increase charter schools’ access to 

facilities financing?

B. Does the applicant have the ability to carry out the proposed grant project?

The Competitive Priority related to the applicant increasing the capacity of charter 

schools to offer school choice in those communities with the greatest need for public 

school choice (15 points):

This criterion focuses on the likelihood that the proposed project will increase the 

capacity of charter schools to provide public school choice in those geographic areas 

where school choice is needed most. Part of this need to provide public school choice 

is related to Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act as amended by the No Child 

Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Under NCLB, school districts are required to provide 

public school choice to students in schools that have failed to make adequate yearly 

progress for two years. School districts indicate they are having difficulty finding 

sufficient space in schools so that students can transfer to quality schools. 

Factors that will be considered in assessing the applicant’s proposal to address school 

facility capacity issues related to increasing the capacity of charter schools to provide 

public school choice in those communities with the greatest need for such choice, 

including:

- The extent to which the applicant would target services to geographic areas in 

which a large proportion or number of public schools have been identified for 
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improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under Title I of the Elementary

and Secondary Education Act of 1965;

- The extent to which the applicant would target services to geographic areas in 

which a large proportion of students perform below proficient on State academic 

assessments; and

- The extent to which the applicant would target services to communities with large 

proportions of students from low-income families.

A. The selection criteria related to the potential contribution of the proposed grant 

project to achieving the purpose of the Credit Enhancement for Charter School 

Facilities Program include:

1) The quality of the design and potential significance of the proposed grant project 

(35 points). 

This criterion addresses the goals, objectives, and activities of the grant project, 

how the applicant will determine the viability of an individual school as an 

educational enterprise and therefore as a target for investment, the number and 

type of charter schools that it anticipates will obtain facilities as a result of the 

grant project, the amount and type of assistance they will receive, and the degree 

to which projects would serve charter schools in States with strong charter school 

laws. Successful applicants will provide comprehensive plans with clear goals, 

objectives, and activities that have specific timelines and that are aligned with the 

four statutory purposes for which reserve account funds may be used. They will 

describe the partnerships they plan to develop to help further the purposes of the 

program and how they will leverage private-sector and other non-Federal capital 

for financing charter school facilities. They will give their projections for the 

amounts to be leveraged relative to the amount of government funding used. 

They also will discuss how they will invest funds from the reserve account, and 

provide an estimate of the earnings they expect from these investments, and from 

fees, interest, or other sources.

This criterion also addresses the grant project’s potential impact on the national 

need for charter school facilities and, in that regard, its potential as a model for 

others. The most successful applicants are likely to provide services to a number 

of charter schools, including start-ups. They will accomplish this, in part, by

leveraging a significant amount of capital for investment in charter school 

facilities. They will clearly document their activities and the resulting outcomes 

for the different types of schools served, and will demonstrate that their grant 

projects are likely to help many other charter schools acquire appropriate facilities 

in the future. 

The materials reviewers will take into account when rating against this selection 

criterion include:
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 The budget form and other budget information (including the consistency

of numbers, the accuracy of any mathematical functions, and the clarity of 

any explanations) 

 Information on fees and lending terms, including how they might vary

with interest rate fluctuations and

 The cash flow pro forma.

Factors used to assess the project’s quality of design and significance include:

- The extent to which the grant proposal would provide financing to charter 

schools at better rates and terms than they can receive absent assistance 

through the program;

- The extent to which the grant project goals, objectives, and timeline are 

clearly specified, measurable, and appropriate for the purpose of the program;

- The extent to which the grant project implementation plan and activities, 

including the partnerships established, are likely to achieve measurable 

objectives that further the purposes of the program;

- The extent to which the proposed grant project is likely to produce results that 

are replicable; 

- The extent to which the grant project will use appropriate criteria for selecting 

charter schools for assistance and for determining the type and amount of 

assistance to be given; 

- The extent to which the proposed activities will leverage the private or public 

sector funding and increase the number and variety of charter schools assisted 

in meeting their facilities needs absent the program; 

- The extent to which the project will serve charter schools in States with strong 

charter laws, consistent with the criteria for such laws in Section 5202(e)(3) of 

the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and

- The extent to which the requested grant amount and project costs are 

reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of 

the project. 

2) The quality of the services (15 points). 

This criterion is concerned with the immediate benefits to be provided to charter 

schools as a result of the grant project. In this regard it addresses questions about 

the fit between the assistance to be provided and the needs of the recipients of the 

services. It also considers the cost-effectiveness of the services to be provided. 

Successful applicants will demonstrate that charter schools participated in the 
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development of the grant project and in the identification of the specific needs to 

be addressed by the grant project. These applicants may have letters of 

endorsement from charter schools or otherwise document charter school support. 

In addition, these applicants will focus on quality charter schools with the greatest 

need for facilities and an inability to access private-sector capital. They are likely

to succeed in meeting the needs of charter schools that are just starting up as well 

as more established charter schools. Applicants also should describe how their 

services would affect the charter schools in terms of burdens (such as fees and 

paperwork) and benefits -- financial and otherwise. 

The materials reviewers will take into account when rating against this selection 

criterion include:

 Support letters from charter schools and

 Information on fees and lending terms, including how they might vary

with interest rate fluctuations

Factors used to assess the quality of the services include:

- The extent to which the services to be provided by the project reflect the 

identified needs of the charter schools to be served;

- The extent to which charter schools and chartering agencies were involved in 

the design of, and demonstrate support for, the grant project;

- The extent to which the technical assistance and other services to be provided 

by the proposed grant project involve the use of cost-effective strategies for 

increasing charter schools’ access to facilities financing, including the 

reasonableness of fees and lending terms; and

- The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed grant project 

are focused on assisting charter schools that have the greatest needs for 

assistance under the program.

B. The selection criteria related to the applicant’s capacity to carry out the 

proposed grant project include:

1) The business and organizational capacity of the applicant to carry out the grant 

project (35 points). 

This criterion focuses on the applicant’s expertise in capital market financing and 

its organizational capacity to implement the proposed project. The applicant will 

need to document its financial track record and strength; its ability to protect 

against unwarranted financial risk; its expertise in assessing credit and evaluating 

the success of charter schools; and its ability to prevent conflicts of interest. The 

Application Content Requirements section of this package describes some of the 
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specific data and documents to be provided regarding business and organizational 

capacity. The materials that reviewers will take into account when rating against 

this selection criterion include:

 Table 1 – Non-Grant Funds Projected to be Generated

 Table 2 – Applicant Activity Table for the Most Recently Completed 

Fiscal Year

 Table 4 – Risk Level of Charter Schools Served

 Audited Financial Statements

 Credit Rating Reports

 Standards of Conduct

 Non-profits: Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

 Non-profits: IRS Form 990

 Public entities: Enabling Statutes and Other Relevant Legislation

 Letters of commitment from financial partners

 Previous grantees (both Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities 

Program and Charter School Facility Financing Demonstration Grant 

Program Grantees): the most recent annual performance report (if the 

grant has not been in place long enough to have an annual performance 

report, the most recent half-year report)

 Applicable experience financing charter schools (if any), including the 

number of schools served, the total amount of financing provided, the total 

amount of financing credit enhanced

 A description of how the applicant intends to meet any administrative 

costs in excess of one-quarter of one percent

Factors that will be considered in assessing the applicant’s business and 

organizational capacity include:

- The amount and quality of experience of the applicant in carrying out the 

activities it proposes to undertake in its application, such as enhancing the 

credit on debt issuances, guaranteeing leases, and facilitating financing;

- The applicant’s financial stability; 

- The ability of the applicant to protect against unwarranted risk in its loan 

underwriting, portfolio monitoring, and financial management; 

- The applicant’s expertise in education to evaluate the likelihood of success of 

a charter school;

- The ability of the applicant to prevent conflicts of interest, including conflicts 

of interest by employees and members of the board of directors in a decisionmaking role; and
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- If the applicant has co-applicants (consortium members), partners or other 

grant project participants, the specific resources to be contributed by each coapplicant (consortium member), partner, or other grant project participant to 

the implementation and success of the grant project. 

- For State governmental entities, the extent to which steps have been or will be 

taken to ensure charter schools within the State receive the funding needed to 

obtain adequate facilities.

- For previous grantees under the charter school facilities programs, their 

performance in implementing these grants.

-

-

2) The grant project team (15 points). 

This factor focuses on the relevant training and experience of key grant project 

personnel, consultants, subcontractors, and, for nonprofits, members of the board 

of directors holding key positions. Successful applicants will plan to use the 

services of individuals with substantial experience and expertise in facilities 

financing, charter schools, and other appropriate areas. They will provide the 

information requested in the Application Content Requirements section of this 

package. This information will include, among other things, a description of 

current job responsibilities, the educational background, and the experience and 

skills of each member of the grant project team as described in current resumes or 

detailed biographical statements. The applicant also should describe its staffing 

plan for the project, including a description of the assignments by activity or 

service and the match between the proposed staff and the skills necessary to 

execute the specific proposal.

Factors used to assess the grant project team include:

- The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the project 

manager and other members of the grant project team, including consultants 

or subcontractors; and

- The staffing plan for the grant project. 
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Application Content Requirements

Each Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program application must include 

the following specific program elements:

(1) A statement identifying the activities proposed to be undertaken with grant 

funds (the “grant project”) and the timeline for the activities, including how 

the applicant will determine which charter schools will receive assistance, 

how much and what types of assistance these schools will receive, the type of 

schools to be served, and what procedures the applicant will use for 

documenting grant project procedures and results.

(2) A description of the involvement of charter schools in the application's 

development and design of the proposed grant project.

(3) A description of the applicant’s expertise in capital markets financing and 

organizational capacity to implement the proposed grant project 

successfully. (Consortium applicants must list information for each of the 

participating organizations.) 

This description must include the applicant’s:

A. Operational Capacity and Risk Mitigation Strategies as evidenced by:

1. Age of Organization 

Identify how long the organization has been in existence. 

(Consortiums should identify the ages of each of the 

participating organizations.)

2. Policies and Procedures

Provide a brief summary of the following applicant policies 

and procedures, indicating whether they are approved by

the applicant’s governing board and when they were 

implemented. If they are not currently in place, describe 

what steps the organization will take to develop and 

implement such policies and procedures. If the practices 

differ from the policies and procedures, explain.

a. Underwriting Standards for Participants: Process 

for evaluating the creditworthiness of charter school 

participants, including criteria for providing 

guarantees or other credit enhancement.
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b. Portfolio Monitoring: Monitoring process, risk 

rating methodologies, and debt restructuring, 

collections, and write-off policies.

c. Financial Management/Risk Mitigation: Internal 

controls and operating policies for safeguarding 

assets, including cash management; maintaining 

liquidity and operating reserves; likely reserve 

account investments; and risk mitigation strategies 

(e.g. portfolio diversification, adopting internal 

lending limits, establishing and adjusting debt loss 

reserves, and seeking third-party insurance against 

default by the applicant). 

3. Standards of Conduct

Provide a copy of the standards of conduct for your 

organization, if they exist. The standards of conduct must, 

at a minimum, require disclosure of direct and indirect 

financial or other interests, mandate disinterested decisionmaking, and indicate corrective actions to be taken in the 

event of violation. 

B. Financial Track Record and Strength as evidenced by:

1. Credit Rating

Submit the most recent credit rating and report prepared 

for the organization by a major bond rating agency, such as 

Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, or Fitch 

IBCA. If the organization does not have a credit rating, 

please indicate.

2. Financial Statements

Submit audited financial statements for the applicant’s 

three most recently completed fiscal years. If audited 

statements are not available, please provide financial 

statements for the applicant’s three most recently 

completed fiscal years that have been reviewed by an 

independent Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.). 

Such documents must include:

a. Balance sheets or statements of financial position;
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b. Income statements or statements of activities;

c. Statements of cash flows; and

d. Notes to the financial statements and, if applicable, 

the auditor’s opinion letter and any reports of 

findings. 

If neither audited nor C.P.A.-reviewed financial statements 

are available, submit internal financial statements and 

explain why audited or C.P.A.-reviewed financial 

statements are not available. If the audited financial 

statements of the applicant are consolidated with those of 

its affiliates and do not include separate schedules on the 

applicant’s financial position and separate income 

statements for the applicant, also submit a separate set of 

internal financial statements that clearly distinguish the 

applicant’s financial information from that of the affiliates.

3. Non-profits: IRS Form 990

Provide a copy of the most recently filed IRS Form 990.

4. Portfolio Quality

Provide a narrative explanation of portfolio performance, 

particularly explaining the circumstances of any unusually

high levels of delinquencies and losses, or loss reserves that 

appear inconsistent with actual losses. Such explanations 

should include any steps the organization is taking to 

remedy identified problems.

Also include an explanation of any debt-loss experience 

with high-risk borrowers.

5. Financial Track Record

Complete the Applicant Activity Table for the Most 

Recently Completed Fiscal Year.

6. Financial Projections

Applicants must submit a cash flow pro forma for the grant 

project. The pro forma should include both a statement of 

sources and uses of funds and a projection of annual cash 

flows during the Project Period. All amounts should be 
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expressed on a cash (year-of-expenditure) basis and should 

include a narrative describing key assumptions in the 

business model used to arrive at such estimates. The pro 

forma should include:

- Projected cash flows (receipts and disbursements) 

through the Project Period, including separate line 

items for each category of allowable uses of reserve 

account funds (such as facilitating financing or 

guaranteeing leases). The cash flow must indicate 

the projected reserve account balance at the end of 

each year;

- Administrative cost charges covered by the Federal 

funds (a maximum of 0.25%) and non-grant sources 

such as donations;

- An explanation of the amount and nature of all fees 

and expenses (including interest on loans) payable 

by the charter school participants associated with 

the grant project; and

- Anticipated interest and other earnings expected to 

be gained on grant funds. 

If applicable, the applicant also should calculate the 

estimated effective financing rate (true interest cost) for 

charter schools participating in the grant project, and 

compare such percentage rate to other available financing 

sources.

In the event that the applicant proposes to charge fees 

(including interest on loans) to charter schools, the 

applicant must:

- Indicate whether the fees and interest are in excess 

of the direct cost to the applicant,

- Identify the size of this excess amount, and

- Describe how this excess amount will be used.

Furthermore, the applicant must explain how these fees and 

interest rates are reasonable.

7. Financial Stability
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Discuss the applicant’s strategy for sustaining its projected 

operations through earned income, grants, contributions, or 

other resources. Discuss the applicant’s strategy for 

capitalizing its loan, guarantee, or investment fund through 

debt, equity, secondary markets, or other resources. 

Discuss the extent to which funding sources are diversified 

and any plans to maintain or increase the diversification of 

funding sources.

Complete the Non-Grant Funds Projected to be Generated 

Table.

8. Legal Background 

Non-profit entities: Submit a copy of articles of 

incorporation and by-laws.

Public entities: Submit a copy of enabling statute and 

other relevant legislation.

9. Previous grantees (both Credit Enhancement for Charter 

School Facilities Program and Charter School Facility

Financing Demonstration Grant Program Grantees): the 

most recent annual performance report (if the grant has not 

been in place long enough to have an annual performance 

report, the most recent half-year report).

10. Applicable experience financing charter schools (if any), 

including the number of schools served, the total amount of 

financing provided, the total amount of financing credit 

enhanced.

C. Skills and Experience of the Grant Project Management Team as 

evidenced by:

1. Management and Staff Experience 

For each member of the management team and other key

staff, submit:

a. a description of current and past job responsibilities, 

and education, experience, and skills, with 

particular attention to experiences in the fields of 

finance and education. The description of the 

individuals’ experience in education must include a 

discussion of their expertise in assessing the 
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programs of charter schools. This information may 

be provided in the form of current resumes or 

detailed biographical statements. Position 

qualification statements should be included for staff 

the applicant plans to hire for the project. 

b. A description of the duties of the management team 

and key staff working on the project. Include any

staff the applicant anticipates hiring, including 

through contracts, to work on the project.

2. Board of Directors:

Non-profit applicants only: Submit a current list of the 

governing board members that indicates their tenure and 

organizational affiliations. Discuss the role(s) of the board 

of directors with respect to the grant project and their 

qualifications in that regard. Disclose any business and 

personal relationships between board members and 

personnel working for the applicant’s organization.

(4) A description of how the proposed grant project will leverage the maximum 

amount of private-sector and other non-Federal capital relative to the 

amount of Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program 

funding used, the definition of “leverage” the applicant has used in 

developing that description, the type of assistance to be provided, how the 

assistance would sufficiently reduce the costs that charter schools face so that 

it would enable them to obtain or improve school facilities that they would 

not be able to obtain or improve absent the assistance, and how the proposed 

activities will otherwise enhance credit available to charter schools. Also:

Provide a ratio of Federal funds to the anticipated amount of capital leveraged. 

For instance, if the size of the reserve account is $1 million and $5 million in 

bonds would be guaranteed using funds in the reserve account, the ratio is 5:1. 

Describe how the leveraging ratio is calculated and how the assistance provided to 

charters schools will be sufficient to assist them in meeting their school facility

needs that could not have been met absent this assistance.

Provide an explanation of the number and characteristics of charter schools to be 

served by the Project (e.g. size, demographics, and age of school -- start-up or 

experienced, etc.) Include an explanation of the types of services they will 

receive.

(5) A description of how the applicant possesses sufficient expertise in education 

to evaluate the likelihood of success of a charter school for which facilities is 

sought.
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(6) In the case of an application submitted by a State governmental entity, a 

description of current and planned State funding policy and other forms of 

financial assistance that will help charter schools meet their facility needs.
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Grantee Reporting and Performance Measures

Reporting: 

At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including 

financial information, as directed by the Secretary. 

Also, each year, a grantee must submit an annual performance report that provides the 

most current performance and financial expenditure information as specified by the 

Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. 

Performance Measures: 

The performance measures for this program are: (1) The amount of funding grantees 

leverage for charter schools to acquire, construct, and renovate school facilities and (2) 

the number of charter schools served. Grantees must provide this information as part of 

their annual performance reports.
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Table 1 – Non-Grant Funds Projected to be Generated

Source Project year 

1

Project 

year 2

Project 

year 3

Project 

year 4

Project 

year 5

Remaining 

years

Total

1. Donations

2. Fees not associated with grant

3. Interest not associated with grant

4. Borrowed funds (including lines of credit to 

be used)

5. Appropriated funds

6. Other

Total

The purpose of this table is to determine amount and expected source of revenues for the applicant.
C-25

Table 2 – Applicant Activity Table for the Most Recently Completed Fiscal Year

Outstanding credit–enhanced debt Total activity

Number of debt issues with credit enhancement

Dollar amount of debt issues with credit enhancement (includes 

debt structured using a senior/subordinate debt structure)

$

Outstanding leases guaranteed

Number of leases guaranteed or insured

Dollar amount of leases guaranteed or insured $

Other means of facilitating financing (including both lending and the issuance of bonds) for the most recently completed fiscal year

Number of clients assisted by facilitating financing 1

Amount of funds spent on facilitating financing (including both 

lending and the issuance of bonds)

$

Please provide a narrative associated with this table that briefly describes the types of assistance provided and the types of clients served, paying 

particular attention to any clients related to education, including charter schools. Each member of a consortium should complete this table 

separately.

1

Includes activities in Section 5225(a)(3) and (4).
C-26

Table 3 -Budget Form: Grant Funds Expenditures

Budget categories Project year 1 Project year 2 Project year 3 Project year 4 Project year 5 Remaining 

years 

Total

A. Administrative funds (0.25%)

A.1. Indirect costs

A.2. Administrative costs other than 

indirect costs

A. Total administrative costs

B. Reserve account earnings

C. Reserve account (99.75%)

C.1. Grant funds spent on guaranteeing and insuring debt and leases 1

C.1.a. Personnel and fringe benefits

C.1.b. Payments to third parties to 

guarantee or insure debt

C.1.c. Other payments associated 

with guaranteeing and insuring debt 

and leases

C.1. Total Guaranteeing and 

insuring debt and leases payments

C.2. Grant funds spent on facilitating financing (including facilitating lending and the issuance of bonds) 2

C.2.a. Personnel and fringe benefits

C.2.b. Contractual

C.2.c. Other payments associated 

with facilitating financing

C.2. Total grant funds spent on 

facilitating financing (including 

facilitating lending and the issuance 

of bonds) 

C.3. Total reserve account costs

(lines C.1. and C.2.)

The purpose of this table is to determine the amount of Federal grant funds that the applicant intends to spend on activities to cover costs associated with the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Grant. The table should include funds from the reserve 

account only in the year they are spent. The table should not include funds that remain in the reserve account and are used to directly guarantee or insure debt or leases.

1

Includes activities in Section 5225(a)(1) and (2).

2

Includes activities in Section 5225(a)(3) and (
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Instructions for Table 3 -- Budget Form: Grant Funds Expenditures

A. Administrative funds:

A.1. Indirect costs: Many organizations have indirect cost rates established with the U.S. 

Department of Education which allow those organizations to spend a portion of their grant 

funds on a share of the total organization costs such as rent and utilities. For this grant you 

may choose to claim indirect costs, but the total amount may not exceed the 1⁄4 of 1% allowed 

by statute. Also, if you choose to claim indirect costs, the sum of your indirect costs and your 

other administrative costs (line A.2.) combined may not exceed the allowable 1⁄4 of 1%.

A.2. Administrative costs other than indirect costs: Administrative costs include such items as 

preparing reports. Administrative cost funds are capped by the program’s authorizing statute at 

1⁄4 of 1% (0.25%) of the award amount. Administrative costs may be spread out over the 

project period, but the total amount may not exceed 1⁄4 of 1% in total. Also, if you choose to 

claim indirect costs, the sum of your indirect costs and your other administrative costs (line 

A.2.) combined may not exceed the allowable 1⁄4 of 1%. 

A. Total administrative costs: The total for this line should include the sum of lines A, A.1. and A.2. 

This line cannot exceed 1⁄4 of 1% of the award amount for the entire project period.

B. Reserve account earnings: Earnings include the total interest earned per year on reserve account 

funds as well as all fees charged in association with the project, because fees must also be added to the 

reserve account and used for the four allowable purposes of the grant.

C. Reserve account expenditures

C.1. Grant funds spent on guaranteeing and insuring debt and leases

C.1.a. Personnel and fringe benefits: All costs associated with paying personnel who will 

receive reserve account funds for their direct involvement with guaranteeing and insuring debt 

and leases. (We expect that this will not be a significant portion of the total request.)

C.1.b. Payments to third parties to guarantee or insure debt: All payments made with reserve 

account funds to third parties such as fees for guaranteeing or insuring debt.

C.1.c. Other payments associated with guaranteeing and insuring debt and leases: Any other 

costs paid for with reserve account funds that are not covered in C.1. a-b that can be directly 

attributed to guaranteeing and insuring debt and leases.

C.1. Total Guaranteeing and insuring debt and leases payments: The sum of lines C.1.a., C.1.b., and 

C.1.c.

C.2. Grant funds spent on facilitating financing (including facilitating lending and the issuance of 

bonds) 
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C.2.a. Personnel and fringe benefits: All costs associated with paying personnel who will 

receive reserve account funds for their direct involvement with facilitating financing. (We 

expect that this will not be a significant portion of the total request.)

C.2.b. Contractual: All costs associated with paying contractors that will receive reserve 

account funds for their work facilitating financing.

C.2.c. Other payments associated with facilitating financing: Any other costs paid for with 

reserve account funds that are not covered in lines C.2. a-b that can be directly attributed to 

facilitating financing.

C.2. Total grant funds spent on facilitating financing (including facilitating lending and the issuance 

of bonds): The sum of lines C.2.a., C.2.b., and C.2.c.

C.3. Total reserve account costs (lines C.1. and C.2.): The sum of lines C.1. and C.2. The amount in 

the total column for this row cannot exceed the sum of the request on Form ED 424 (the Application 

for Federal Education Assistance) plus reserve account earnings, and would likely be less. 
C-29

Table 4 – Risk Level of Charter Schools Served – (required of past 

grantees only)

Type of charter schools served through 

previous Credit Enhancement grants from 

the US Department of Education as of 

September 30 of the most recent year

Number of 

charter schools

Number of charter schools served through all 

Credit Enhancement grants 

Number of charter schools served through 

Credit Enhancement grants that have 

educated students for three years or less

Number of charter schools served through 

Credit Enhancement grants receiving credit 

enhancements of leasehold improvement 

loans

Number of charter schools served through 

Credit Enhancement grants that are 

independent of Charter Management 

Organizations, networks, or “chains” of 

charter schools

Number of charter schools served through 

Credit Enhancement grants providing 

personal guarantees

Number of charter schools served through 

Credit Enhancement grants in connection 

with other grantees under the program

Number of charter schools served through 

Credit Enhancement grants receiving 

guarantees through other Federal programs
C-30

Application Checklist for Applicants 

As discussed on the following pages, a complete application must include all of the documents listed 

below.

[ ] Cover page (SF 424 Form)

[ ] ED Abstract Narrative Attachment Form

[ ] Project Narrative Attachment Form

[ ] Including responses to the selection criteria

[ ] Budget Narrative Attachment Form

[ ] ED 524

[ ] Table 3 - Budget form and other budget information

[ ] Other Attachments Form

[ ] Table 1- Non-Grant Funds Projected to be Generated

[ ] Table 2 - Applicant Activity Table for the Most Recently Completed Fiscal Year

[ ] Table 4 - Risk Level of Charter Schools Served - (required of past grantees only)

[ ] Consortium Applicants must attach a copy of consortium agreement

[ ] Resumes/Curriculum Vitae

[ ] Standards of Conduct

[ ] Credit Rating Reports

[ ] Audited Financial Statements 

[ ] Cash Flow Pro Forma 

[ ] Non-profits: Articles of Incorporation and By-laws

[ ] Non-profits: IRS Form 990

[ ] Public entities: Enabling Statutes and Other Relevant Legislation

[ ] Previous grantees (both Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program and 

Charter School Facility Financing Demonstration Grant Program Grantees): Table 4 and the 

most recent annual performance report (if the grant has not been in place long enough to have 

an annual performance report, the most recent half-year report)

[ ] Assurances and Certifications

[ ] Assurances──Non-Construction Programs 

[ ] Certifications Regarding Lobbying 

[ ] SF-LLLDisclosure of Lobbying Activity

[ ] Response to Section 427 of GEPA Guidance

[ ] Did you submit a copy of the application to the State Single Point of Contact (if applicable)?
D-1
E-2

INSTRUCTIONS TO 

STANDARD FORMS AND 

GRANT APPLICATION 

REQUIREMENTS
E-3
E-4

Forms, Assurances, and Certifications

Applicants must complete all forms included in the application package. Instructions for the 

following forms are included in this document: 

• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

• Instructions for the SF-424

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

• Instructions for the Completion of SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Certification Regarding Lobbying

• Supplemental Information and Instructions for Department of Education Supplemental 

Information for SF 424

• Budget ED 524 and Instructions for ED 524

• GEPA Statement

• Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) 

• Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
E-5