HATS (Helping Applicants to Succeed) visits are designed to help applicants understand the causes for funding denials, provide resources that eliminate future application errors or compliance issues, and help applicants receive full program value.
In September 2006, USAC’s site visit program added a new component called HATS (Helping Applicants to Succeed). The purpose of HATS is to assist applicants who have experienced difficulties with the Schools and Libraries Program over the last few years.
For a HATS visit, no advance preparation is required. USAC will not ask to see any forms, program documentation, or equipment. USAC Representatives will walk you through the 11-step application process detailed on the USAC website. USAC will spend time reviewing the steps that may have been difficult for the applicant in past applications depending on the library’s knowledge of the program.
Unlike ongoing site visits and audits, designed to check compliance with E-rate rules and procedures, HATS is a true educational outreach program. Essentially, HATS is an individualized, hands-on, training opportunity. Feedback from applicants experiencing HATS visits has been positive.
During a HATS visit, libraries can ask questions, make observations, and provide suggestions. If libraries share difficult issues that they have encountered in the past, USAC is willing to talk applicants through the issues so they are better equipped to handle them in the future. The feedback USAC gathers will also help provide targeted training to improve the program to help other applicants become more successful in the future.
HATS visits also include a “walk-through” of the USAC website, including Tip Sheets that include useful Program information and best practices.
USAC selects a certain number of applicants for a HATS visit each year. Libraries can also call the Client Service Bureau (CSB) at 1-888-203-8100 and request to be considered for a HATS visit. CSB will ask you for the following information and then forward your responses to USAC for consideration:
* Contact person name
* Contact person phone number
* Contact person email address
* Contact who completes the application paperwork (if different from contact above)
* Billed Entity Name (or names if you apply for more than one Billed Entity)
* Billed Entity Number (or numbers if you apply for more than one Billed Entity)
* Reason(s) for the HATS visit request, such as: prior denials, reductions in funding, a Commitment Adjustment (COMAD), a Recovery of Improperly Disbursed Funds (RIDF) or a successful or unsuccessful appeal.
Selected libraries will be contacted to arrange the details of the visit.
