Guide to Federal Domestic Aid Programs (GFDAP): What It Represented
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) was a massive database housing various assistance programs sponsored by the United States federal government. This resource offered a one-stop shop for corporations, government agencies, U.S. territories, and individual citizens seeking federal aid, listing out grants, loans, scholarships, and more.
However, the CFDA has now been retired, and its data is now accessible through the System for Award Management (SAM) website. SAM continues to provide valuable information on numerous government assistance programs, making it simpler for users to discover and apply for federal aid.
Understanding the CFDA
The U.S. government offers a variety of help, such as grants, loans, scholarships, property, and counseling, through various agencies and departments. The CFDA, started in 1984, gathered information on these domestic assistance programs published by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)[2].
Included in the CFDA were not only financial aid programs, but also those offering non-financial assistance like counseling. Foreign aid was not part of the mix[2]. Parties that tapped into the CFDA included individuals, state and local government entities (including the District of Columbia), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, companies, and non-profit organizations (NPOs)[3].
Information on individual programs could be accessed through the official CFDA website - CFDA.gov. Any individual or organization aiming to access programs through the CFDA required authorization for conducting business with the federal government[4]. Each program listed online was assigned a unique number, enabling data and funding transparency[4].
The Retirement of the CFDA
The consolidation of the CFDA's data with other government systems in May 2018 led to its retirement, and its functions being transferred to the SAM.gov website. The primary objective was to streamline the awarding process, making it easier for authorized entities to conduct business with the government[3].
Now, the former CFDA data and consolidated systems can be accessed through the "Assistance Listings" section at SAM.gov. Here, visitors will find a wealth of information on loans, grants, insurance, and scholarships, among other types of assistance programs[1]. As of the transition, the federal government offered over 2,000 domestic assistance programs, with the majority administered through the Department of Health and Human Services[1].
Navigating SAM.gov
Start by deciding whether you would like to register to bid and apply for federal awards or simply obtain a Unique Entity ID without completing a full registration. If you wish to apply for federal awards or bid on government contracts, you will need to complete a registration and be assigned a Unique Entity ID[5].
Once you've chosen your registration type, you can start browsing on SAM.gov. You can check the status of your registration and find more information about the registration process on its website. The website also offers a Federal Service Desk for help with technical issues or further assistance[5].
Remember to renew your SAM.gov registration every 365 days to keep it active, and you can update your registration at any time[5].
Popular Assistance Programs
SAM.gov offers many programs, including:
- The Department of Education's Federal Pell Grant Program, designed to support undergraduate students demonstrating financial need[6][7].
- The Department of Health and Human Services' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (often known simply as welfare), intended to supplement the earnings of low-income families with children[8][9].
- The Department of Homeland Security's flood insurance program, managed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which offers coverage for flood-related damages[10][11].
Small Business Assistance Programs
Smaller programs are also available to support small businesses. For example, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers various programs like the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST)[12]. This program aims "to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small business concerns in the U.S."[13].
Beware of Government Assistance Scams
Remember, SAM.gov has never directly offered awards or solicited applications (neither did the CFDA). Regrettably, this transition from the CFDA to the SAM.gov website brought about new scams through phone calls, the internet, and social media, falsely claiming to offer easy government grant money. Be aware that such scammers may pose as members of a nonexistent CFDA, and they often demand payment in exchange for grant approval[14].
Protect yourself by visiting the official government websites for program information and avoiding any requests for personal or financial information from unverified sources. If you suspect a scam, report it immediately!
- The System for Award Management (SAM) website offers a wealth of information on various government assistance programs, which were previously listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).
- At SAM.gov, visitors can discover programs like the Department of Education's Federal Pell Grant Program, designed to support undergraduate students demonstrating financial need, and the Department of Health and Human Services' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, often known as welfare.
- In addition, SAM.gov contains information on smaller business support programs, such as the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST), which aims to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small businesses in the U.S.
- However, users should be wary of government assistance scams that may arise on phone calls, the internet, or social media, falsely offering easy grant money or posing as the CFDA.
- To protect oneself from such scams, visit the official government websites for program information, avoid sharing personal or financial details with unverified sources, and report any suspected scams promptly.
