Help America Vote College Program

The purpose of this program is: (1) to encourage students enrolled at institutions of higher education (including community colleges), to assist state and local governments in the administration of elections by serving as nonpartisan poll workers or assistants; (2) to encourage college students to become cognizant of the elections process and civic educations, and to assist in the smooth administration of elections in their community; and (3) to encourage state and local governments to use the services of the students participating in the Help America Vote College Program.

The following are eligible to apply for the Help America Vote College Program: (1) State controlled institutions of higher education; (2) private institutions of higher education; (3) community colleges; (4) non-partisan student organizations; and (5) non-profit organizations, other than institutions of higher education (including faith-based, community-based, and tribal organizations).

EAC encourages applicants to forge robust partnerships to implement the grant and to sustain activities beyond the grant period of performance. The recommended partners for the HAVCP are institutions of higher education as defined in Section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); community and technical colleges and systems, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions Program (MSIs) as designated by the Higher Education Act’s Title III and V funding by the Higher Education Act’s Title III and V funding.

Upon selection of awardees, the Election Assistance Commission will issue a Notice of Grant Award. EAC will authorize the Treasury Department to disburse funding identified in the agreement through an electronic funds transfer to the applicant on reimbursement or advance basis to be drawdown as expenses arise. Per 2 CFR §200, the timing and amount of advance payments must be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the non-federal entity for direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs. Grantees will be able to request payments as often as practical for their program.

Potential awardees will be required to pass two checks during the application review process. First, the EAC will conduct an initial review confirming that the application complies with all application requirements as outlined in the application kit. This initial review will also confirm the applicant is an eligible applicant as outlined in the application kit.

The second check EAC will perform prior to determining awardees will be a pre-award risk assessment. The risk assessment will involve a due diligence verification that the applicant is eligible to receive federal funds, a review of the applicant organization’s operational and financial management capabilities to manage any federal funding, the applicant’s past performance managing EAC grant funding, and any other programmatic risk identifiable through publicly available information.