The Federal Student Aid Programs Under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended, 10233-10235 [E8-3616]

Download as PDF mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 26, 2008 / Notices conducted a re-evaluation of the analysis concerning the analytical methodology used in the July 2007 document to assess the potential for behavioral harassment of marine mammals incidental to the use of midfrequency active sonar during Navy training and testing. Modifications to this analytical methodology have led Navy to determine that the preparation of a Supplement to the Draft EIS/OEIS is appropriate. Besides the modifications to the analytical methodology, the Supplement to the Draft EIS/OEIS incorporates changes in sonar hours for each alternative. The Supplement also includes the evaluation of the potential effects of a new alternative. Alternative 3 (which is also identified as the Navy’s preferred alternative) includes all of the training and testing activities identified for Alternative 2, but with reduced midfrequency sonar hours (the same number of sonar hours identified for the No-action Alternative). The Proposed Action assessed in the Supplement to the Draft EIS/OEIS is unchanged from the Draft EIS/OEIS and involves increasing the usage and enhancing the capabilities of the HRC with the purpose of achieving and maintaining Fleet readiness and to conduct current, emerging, and future training and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) operations. This action is consistent with U.S. Code Title 10, section 5062. The Supplement to the Draft EIS/OEIS has been distributed to various Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as other interested individuals and organizations. Additionally, copies of the Supplement to the Draft EIS/OEIS have been distributed to the following libraries in Hawaii for public review: Kahului Public Library, 90 School Street, Kahului, Maui, Hawaii 96732; Wailuku Public Library, 251 High Street, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793; Hilo Public Library, 300 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii, Hawaii 96720; Hawaii State Library, Hawaii and Pacific Section Document Unit, 478 South King Street, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii 96813– 2994; Lihue Public Library, 4344 Hardy Street, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii 96766; Waimea Public Library, P.O. Box 397, Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii 96766; Princeville Public Library, 4343 Emmalani Drive, Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii 96722. An electronic copy of both the Supplement and the Draft EIS/OEIS are also available for public viewing at: https://www.govsupport.us/hrc. Single copies of the Supplement to the Draft EIS/OEIS are available upon written request by contacting Public Affairs VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:29 Feb 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 Officer, Pacific Missile Range Facility, P.O. Box 128, Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii, 96752–0128, ATTN: HRC EIS/OEIS, voice mail 1–866–767–3347, facsimile 808–335–4520. Federal, State, and local agencies and interested parties are invited to be present or represented at the public meetings. Written comments can also be submitted during these meetings. Oral statements will either recorded or be heard and transcribed by a stenographer. All statements, both oral and written, will become part of the public record on the Supplement to the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be addressed in the Final EIS/OEIS. Equal weight will be given to both oral and written statements. In the interest of available time, and to ensure all who wish to give an oral statement at the public meetings have the opportunity to do so, each speaker’s comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. If a long statement is to be presented, it should be summarized at the public meeting and the full text submitted in writing either at the meeting or mailed to Public Affairs Officer, Pacific Missile Range Facility, P.O. Box 128, Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii, 96752–0128, ATTN: HRC EIS/OEIS, faxed to 808–335–4520, or submitted via e-mail to deis_hrc@govsupport.us. All written comments must be post marked or received by April 7, 2008, to ensure they become part of the official record. All comments will be addressed in the Final EIS/OEIS. Dated: February 20, 2008. T.M. Cruz, Lieutenant, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. E8–3633 Filed 2–25–08; 8:45 am] 10233 Send comments to the Department of the Navy, PA/FOIA Policy Branch, Chief of Naval Operations (DNS–36), 2000 Navy Pentagon, Washington, DC 20350–2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Doris Lama at (202) 685–6545. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of the Navy systems of records notices subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the Federal Register and are available from the address above. The Department of the Navy proposes to delete two system of records notices from its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. The proposed deletion is not within the purview of subsection (r) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, which requires the submission of new or altered systems reports. ADDRESSES: Dated: February 19, 2008. L.M. Bynum, Alternate, OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. N11101–2 SYSTEM NAME: Family Housing Requirements Survey Records System (June 8, 1999, 64 FR 30501). REASON: Program discontinued and all records have been destroyed. N11103–01 SYSTEM NAME: Housing Referral Services Record System (February 22, 1993, 58 FR 10817). BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P REASON: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Program discontinued and all records have been destroyed. Department of the Navy [FR Doc. E8–3600 Filed 2–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records Department of the Navy, DoD. ACTION: Notice to delete two Systems of Records. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy is deleting two system of records in its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: This proposed action will be effective without further notice on March 27, 2008 unless comments are received which result in a contrary determination. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION The Federal Student Aid Programs Under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended Department of Education. Notice inviting letters of application for participation in the Quality Assurance Program. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education invites institutions of higher education that may wish to participate in the Quality Assurance Program, under E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1 10234 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 26, 2008 / Notices section 487A(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to submit a letter of application to participate in the program. DATES: Letters of application may be submitted any time after February 26, 2008. Institutions may apply to participate in the Quality Assurance Program by mailing a letter of application to Barbara Mroz, Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, 830 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20202–5232 or by submitting a letter of application electronically to Barbara Mroz at: Barbara.Mroz@ed.gov. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Warren Farr, Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, 830 First Street, NE., UCP–3, Room 83G4, Washington, DC 20202–5232; telephone: (202) 377–4380, or via the Internet: Warren.Farr@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audio tape or computer diskette) on request by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Background Institutions of higher education are invited to join the Department in an effort to simplify regulations and administrative processes for the Federal Student Aid Programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The vision of the Quality Assurance Program, with 151 institutions currently participating, is to provide tools that help all institutions of higher education participating in the Federal Student Aid Programs to promote better service to students, compliance with title IV requirements, and continuous improvement in program delivery. The Quality Assurance Program encourages participating institutions to develop and implement their own comprehensive systems to verify student financial aid application data, and continually assess compliance with Federal requirements. The Secretary is authorized to waive for any institution participating in the Quality Assurance Program any regulations dealing with reporting or verification requirements, thus providing participating institutions with regulatory flexibility for the verification of student data, and encouraging VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:09 Feb 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 alternative approaches that improve award accuracy. The Secretary believes that the process of continuous improvement fostered by the institutions already participating in the Quality Assurance Program has enhanced not only the accuracy of student aid awards and payments, but also the management of student aid offices and the delivery of services to students. all areas of financial aid delivery. One key benefit of the program is the partnership between the Department and the participating institutions. Both parties become engaged in promoting continuous improvement in the administration and delivery of the Federal Student Aid Programs, thereby enhancing service to students. Features of the Program The mission of the Quality Assurance Program is to help schools attain, sustain, and advance exceptional student aid delivery and service excellence. For the past 22 years, the program has achieved its goal by providing participating institutions with the flexibility to design an institutional verification program that more directly focuses on their own population segments. It has also helped them target areas of administration that affect award accuracy or that may leave the institution vulnerable to potential liabilities. The Quality Assurance Program has given institutions the tools and techniques to assess, measure, analyze, correct and prevent problems, and has provided them with data on which to base their decisions for solving problems and addressing verification issues. The Secretary encourages institutions participating in the Quality Assurance Program to evaluate their student aid or verification policies and procedures and adopt improvements in those procedures. Institutions measure performance and test the effectiveness of their verification program by using the Department’s Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) Analysis Tool. The ISIR Analysis Tool is a webbased software product that provides financial aid administrators with an indepth analysis of their applicant population. It allows them to see not only which elements on the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) changed when verified, but also what impact these changes have upon the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and aid eligibility. This analysis helps financial aid administrators develop a targeted institutional verification program, which ultimately makes the financial aid process easier for students, while ensuring accountability and integrity. The Quality Assurance Program also helps institutions make improvements beyond verification and basic compliance. By using the Federal Student Aid Assessments, schools can set goals for continuous improvement in The Secretary invites institutions of higher education that administer one or more Title IV programs to submit a letter of application to participate in the Quality Assurance Program. Institutions that currently participate in the program may continue to do so without submitting a new letter of application. The Secretary will review the letter of application, which should reflect the institution’s commitment to the goals of the Quality Assurance Program, as determined by the Secretary. In the letter of application, the institution should state its Quality Assurance plan as well as what it will measure to achieve the following goals in detail: • Attain and sustain compliance and continuous improvement in program delivery, and better service to students; • Improve the accuracy of institutional verification programs; • Increase institutional flexibility in managing student aid funds, while maintaining accountability for the proper use of those funds; and • Encourage the development of innovative management approaches that advance process quality. PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Invitation for Applications Review Process The Department will screen prospective participants to determine if the institution meets general Title IV eligibility requirements and has a demonstrated record of program compliance. The Secretary may also consider the institution’s performance with regard to financial responsibility, administrative capability, program review findings, audit findings, etc. as outlined in the regulations and in the Federal Student Aid Handbook. Electronic Access to This Document You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/ news/fedregister. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at l– E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1 10235 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 26, 2008 / Notices 888–293–6498; or in the Washington, DC area at (202) 512–1530. Copies of sample filings of the proposed collection of information can be obtained from the Commission’s Documents & Filing Web site (https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filings/elibrary.asp) or by contacting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Attn: Michael Miller, Office of the Executive Director Officer, ED–34, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments may be filed either in paper format or electronically. Those parties filing electronically do not need to make a paper filing. For paper filings, the original and 14 copies of such comments should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426 and refer to Docket No. IC08–583–000. Documents filed electronically via the Internet must be prepared in an acceptable filing format and in compliance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s submission guidelines. Complete filing instructions and acceptable filing formats are available at (https://www.ferc.gov/help/ submission-guide/electronic-media.asp). To file the document electronically, access the Commission’s Web site and click on Documents & Filing, E-Filing (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp), and then follow the instructions for each screen. First time users will have to establish a user name and password. The Commission will send an automatic acknowledgement to the sender’s e-mail address upon receipt of comments. All comments may be viewed, printed or downloaded remotely via the Internet through FERC’s homepage using the eLibrary link. For user assistance, contact ferconlineSupport@ferc.gov or ADDRESSES: Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ index.html. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094a. Dated: February 21, 2008. Lawrence A. Warder, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid. [FR Doc. E8–3616 Filed 2–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC08–583–000; FERC–583] Commission Information Collection Activities, Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension February 5, 2008. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE. ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described below. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due April 14, 2008. toll-free at (866) 208–3676 or for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Miller may be reached by telephone at (202) 502–8415, by fax at (202) 273–0873, and by e-mail at: michael.miller@ferc.gov. The information collected under the requirements of FERC–583 ‘‘Annual Kilowatt Generating Report (Annual Charges)’’ (OMB No. 1902–0136) is used by the Commission to implement the statutory provisions of section 10(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), part I, 16 U.S.C. 803(e) which requires the Commission to collect annual charges from hydropower licensees for, among other things, the cost of administering part I of the FPA and for the use of United States dams. In addition, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (OBRA) authorizes the Commission to ‘‘assess and collect fees and annual charges in any fiscal year in amounts equal to all of the costs incurred by the Commission in that fiscal year.’’ The information is collected annually and used to determine the amounts of the annual charges to be assessed licensees for reimbursable government administrative costs and for the use of government dams. The Commission implements these filing requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 CFR part 11. Action: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the current expiration date, with no changes to the existing collection of data. Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated as: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Number of responses per respondent (2) Average burden hours per response (3) Total annual burden hours (1)×(2)×(3) 599 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Number of respondents annually (1) 1 2 1,198 Estimated cost burden to respondents is $72,792. (1,198 hours/2,080 hours per year times $126,384 per year average per employee = $72,792). The cost per respondent is $122 (rounded off). The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2) developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing, maintaining, disclosing and providing information; VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:29 Feb 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 (3) adjusting the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; (4) training personnel to respond to a collection of information; (5) searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing the collection of information; and (7) transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the information. The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to providing this information, such as PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 administrative costs and the cost for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs apply to activities which benefit the whole organization rather than any one particular function or activity. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10233-10235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3616]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


The Federal Student Aid Programs Under Title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, as Amended

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice inviting letters of application for participation in the 
Quality Assurance Program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education invites institutions of higher 
education that may wish to participate in the Quality Assurance 
Program, under

[[Page 10234]]

section 487A(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), 
to submit a letter of application to participate in the program.

DATES: Letters of application may be submitted any time after February 
26, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Institutions may apply to participate in the Quality 
Assurance Program by mailing a letter of application to Barbara Mroz, 
Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, 830 First Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20202-5232 or by submitting a letter of application 
electronically to Barbara Mroz at: Barbara.Mroz@ed.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Warren Farr, Federal Student Aid, U.S. 
Department of Education, 830 First Street, NE., UCP-3, Room 83G4, 
Washington, DC 20202-5232; telephone: (202) 377-4380, or via the 
Internet: Warren.Farr@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audio tape or computer 
diskette) on request by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Institutions of higher education are invited to join the Department 
in an effort to simplify regulations and administrative processes for 
the Federal Student Aid Programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The vision of the Quality 
Assurance Program, with 151 institutions currently participating, is to 
provide tools that help all institutions of higher education 
participating in the Federal Student Aid Programs to promote better 
service to students, compliance with title IV requirements, and 
continuous improvement in program delivery. The Quality Assurance 
Program encourages participating institutions to develop and implement 
their own comprehensive systems to verify student financial aid 
application data, and continually assess compliance with Federal 
requirements.
    The Secretary is authorized to waive for any institution 
participating in the Quality Assurance Program any regulations dealing 
with reporting or verification requirements, thus providing 
participating institutions with regulatory flexibility for the 
verification of student data, and encouraging alternative approaches 
that improve award accuracy.
    The Secretary believes that the process of continuous improvement 
fostered by the institutions already participating in the Quality 
Assurance Program has enhanced not only the accuracy of student aid 
awards and payments, but also the management of student aid offices and 
the delivery of services to students.

Features of the Program

    The mission of the Quality Assurance Program is to help schools 
attain, sustain, and advance exceptional student aid delivery and 
service excellence. For the past 22 years, the program has achieved its 
goal by providing participating institutions with the flexibility to 
design an institutional verification program that more directly focuses 
on their own population segments. It has also helped them target areas 
of administration that affect award accuracy or that may leave the 
institution vulnerable to potential liabilities.
    The Quality Assurance Program has given institutions the tools and 
techniques to assess, measure, analyze, correct and prevent problems, 
and has provided them with data on which to base their decisions for 
solving problems and addressing verification issues.
    The Secretary encourages institutions participating in the Quality 
Assurance Program to evaluate their student aid or verification 
policies and procedures and adopt improvements in those procedures. 
Institutions measure performance and test the effectiveness of their 
verification program by using the Department's Institutional Student 
Information Record (ISIR) Analysis Tool. The ISIR Analysis Tool is a 
web-based software product that provides financial aid administrators 
with an in-depth analysis of their applicant population. It allows them 
to see not only which elements on the student's Free Application for 
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) changed when verified, but also what impact 
these changes have upon the student's Expected Family Contribution 
(EFC) and aid eligibility. This analysis helps financial aid 
administrators develop a targeted institutional verification program, 
which ultimately makes the financial aid process easier for students, 
while ensuring accountability and integrity.
    The Quality Assurance Program also helps institutions make 
improvements beyond verification and basic compliance. By using the 
Federal Student Aid Assessments, schools can set goals for continuous 
improvement in all areas of financial aid delivery. One key benefit of 
the program is the partnership between the Department and the 
participating institutions. Both parties become engaged in promoting 
continuous improvement in the administration and delivery of the 
Federal Student Aid Programs, thereby enhancing service to students.

Invitation for Applications

    The Secretary invites institutions of higher education that 
administer one or more Title IV programs to submit a letter of 
application to participate in the Quality Assurance Program. 
Institutions that currently participate in the program may continue to 
do so without submitting a new letter of application. The Secretary 
will review the letter of application, which should reflect the 
institution's commitment to the goals of the Quality Assurance Program, 
as determined by the Secretary. In the letter of application, the 
institution should state its Quality Assurance plan as well as what it 
will measure to achieve the following goals in detail:
     Attain and sustain compliance and continuous improvement 
in program delivery, and better service to students;
     Improve the accuracy of institutional verification 
programs;
     Increase institutional flexibility in managing student aid 
funds, while maintaining accountability for the proper use of those 
funds; and
     Encourage the development of innovative management 
approaches that advance process quality.

Review Process

    The Department will screen prospective participants to determine if 
the institution meets general Title IV eligibility requirements and has 
a demonstrated record of program compliance. The Secretary may also 
consider the institution's performance with regard to financial 
responsibility, administrative capability, program review findings, 
audit findings, etc. as outlined in the regulations and in the Federal 
Student Aid Handbook.

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this 
Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable 
Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: https://
www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at l-

[[Page 10235]]

888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC area at (202) 512-1530.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/
nara/.


    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094a.

    Dated: February 21, 2008.
Lawrence A. Warder,
Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid.
[FR Doc. E8-3616 Filed 2-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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