(a) Grant cycle. The TFEE fund may have one competitive grant cycle every two years.

(1) Funding determination. The grant funding determination is made by December 31 of each odd-numbered year.

(2) Programming cycle. A new TFEE grant programming cycle may open on January 1 of every even-numbered year. An applicant may choose to apply for a one-year grant programming cycle, or a two-year grant programming cycle. The grant programming cycle for a one-year grantee begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 of the even-numbered year for the applicable cycle. The grant programming cycle for a two-year grantee begins on January 1 of the even-numbered year and ends on December 31 of the following odd-numbered year for the applicable cycle.

(b) Eligible grant applicants. Nonprofit organizations, schools, and for-profit entities are eligible to apply for TFEE grant funding. TFEE grant funding is not available to financial service providers and entities regulated by the finance commission.

(c) Grant application. To be considered for the TFEE grant program, an applicant must complete and submit the grant application by the deadline and in accordance with the instructions for the applicable grant cycle. Late or incomplete grant applications will not be accepted. Meeting the eligibility criteria and submission of a grant application does not guarantee award of a grant in any amount.

(d) Finance commission approval. The finance commission will approve the items listed in this subsection during a meeting open to the public.

(1) Award amounts. Before the start of the competitive grant process for each grant cycle, the finance commission will determine the total TFEE fund amount to be awarded for the applicable grant cycle.

(2) Grantees. The audit committee, upon receipt of advice from the GAC and grant coordinator, will present recommendations to the finance commission of parties selected to receive TFEE awards for the applicable grant cycle. The finance commission has complete discretion to approve or deny, all or in part, the recommendations presented by the audit committee. Only grantees approved by the finance commission will be awarded TFEE funds upon fulfillment of grant requirements.

(e) Grant agreement. To participate in the TFEE grant program, a grantee approved by the finance commission must execute the grant agreement for the applicable grant cycle.

(f) Grantee compliance. A grantee must comply with applicable financial, administrative, and programmatic terms and conditions, and exercise proper stewardship over awarded TFEE funds. A grantee must use awarded TFEE funds in compliance with the following in effect for the applicable grant cycle:

(1) all applicable state laws and regulations;

(2) all applicable federal laws and regulations;

(3) the TFEE Grant Administration and Advisory Policy Manual;

(4) the grant application, including all application guidelines and instructions at the time of application;

(5) the grant agreement signed by the commissioner or commissioner's designee and the grantee;

(6) all reporting and monitoring requirements, as outlined in the grant agreement and subsection (g) of this section; and

(7) any other guidance documents posted on the TFEE website for the applicable grant cycle.

(g) Reporting and monitoring.

(1) General reporting requirements. To receive reimbursement of TFEE grant expenses, a grantee must: (A) submit grant reports in a timely manner; (B) maintain satisfactory compliance with the grant agreement and proposed grant activities; (C) report performance measures; and (D) track and report participant demographic information.

(2) Semi-annual reports. A grantee must submit semi-annual reports that demonstrate performance outcomes and financial information over the term of the grant in accordance with and by the deadlines set forth in the grant agreement.

(3) Six-month longitudinal report. A grantee must submit a six-month longitudinal report after program completion to demonstrate program objectives.

(4) Monitoring. The grant coordinator or GAC may use the following methods to monitor a grantee's performance and expenditures: (A) Desk review. The grant coordinator or GAC may conduct a desk review of a grantee to review and compare individual source documentation and materials to summary data provided during the reporting process. (B) Site visits and inspection reviews. The grant coordinator or GAC may conduct a scheduled site visit to a grantee's place of business to review compliance and performance issues. Site visits may be comprehensive or limited in scope.

(h) Reimbursement.

(1) Eligibility. To be eligible for reimbursement, a grantee must comply with all terms of the grant agreement, as well as all other items provided in subsection (f) of this section. Grant funds will be awarded on a cost reimbursement basis for all actual, allowable, and allocable costs incurred by a grantee pursuant to the grant agreement. Expenses that were incurred before the beginning or after the termination of the grant agreement are not eligible for reimbursement.

(2) Procedure. To request reimbursement for work performed on TFEE grant activities, a grantee must submit a grant reimbursement report in accordance with and by the deadlines set forth in the grant agreement. A grantee must submit a detailed expense report with supporting documentation to justify the reimbursement request. The OCCC will review and approve requests for reimbursement that satisfy the requirements and promptly disburse funds in response to approved requests.

Source Note: The provisions of this §7.103 adopted to be effective September 7, 2017, 42 TexReg 4459