Applications for New Awards; Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) Program, 19063-19067 [2011-8202]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19063-19067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8202]



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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Educational Opportunity Centers 
(EOC) Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) 
Program; notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 
(FY) 2011.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.066A.
    Dates:
    Applications Available: April 6, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 23, 2011.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 20, 2011.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the EOC Program is to provide 
information regarding financial and academic assistance available for 
individuals who desire to pursue a program of postsecondary education; 
to provide assistance to these individuals in applying for admission to 
institutions at which a program of postsecondary education is offered, 
including assistance in preparing necessary applications for use by 
admissions and financial aid officers; and to improve the financial and 
economic literacy of participants.
    Priorities: This notice includes one competitive preference 
priority and two invitational priorities. The competitive preference 
priority is from the notice of final supplemental priorities and 
definitions for discretionary grant programs, published in the Federal 
Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 78486).
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2011 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from 
this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. 
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional two points to 
an application, depending on how well the application meets this 
priority.
    This priority is:
    Projects that are designed to address the needs of military-
connected students (as defined in this notice).

    Note:  For purposes of this notice, military-connected student 
means (a) a child participating in an early learning program, a 
student in preschool through grade 12, or a student enrolled in 
postsecondary education or training who has a parent or guardian on 
active duty in the uniformed services (as defined by 37 U.S.C. 101, 
in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National 
Guard, or the reserve component of any of the aforementioned 
services) or (b) a student who is a veteran of the uniformed 
services, who is on active duty, or who is the spouse of an active-
duty service member.

    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2011 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets one or more of 
these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over 
other applications.
    These priorities are:
    Invitational Priority 1: The Secretary encourages applicants to 
propose projects in which they would work with appropriate State 
agencies to use data from State longitudinal data systems or obtain 
data from reliable third-party sources when providing information on 
the implementation of their EOC projects and their participants' 
outcomes.
    Invitational Priority 2: The Secretary encourages applicants to 
propose projects in which they would coordinate project services with 
school-level partners and other community resources in order to carry 
out projects that are cost-effective and best meet the needs of adult 
learners, including veterans.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 20 U.S.C. 1070a-16.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75 (except for 
75.215 through 75.221), 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98 and 99. (b) 
The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 644, as revised by the 
notice of final regulations, published in the Federal Register on 
October 26, 2010, 75 FR 65712. (c) The notice of final supplemental 
priorities and definitions for discretionary grant programs, published 
in the Federal Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 78486).

    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions 
of higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $853.1 
million for the Federal TRIO Programs for FY 2011, of which we intend 
to use an estimated $46,830,000 for the EOC Program competition. The 
actual level of funding, if any, depends on final Congressional action. 
However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete 
the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2012 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $230,000-$1,172,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $377,661.
    Maximum Award:
     For an applicant who is not currently receiving an EOC 
Program grant and proposes to serve a minimum of 1,000 eligible 
participants at a cost that does not exceed $230 per participant, the 
maximum award amount is $230,000.
     For an applicant who is currently receiving an EOC Program 
grant and proposes to serve a minimum of 1000 eligible participants at 
a cost that does not exceed $300 per participant, the maximum award 
amount is the greater of: (a) $230,000 or (b) an amount equal to 103 
percent of the applicant's grant award amount for FY 2009 or FY 2010, 
whichever is greater.
    For example, an applicant who is eligible for a $300,300 grant (103 
percent of the applicant's current funding level) and is applying for 
the full $300,300 must propose to serve at least 1001 participants. The 
applicant would be proposing to serve at least 1001 participants at 
$300 per participant, which would equal $300,300 in grant funding. This 
applicant would meet the requirement to serve a minimum of 1000 
participants and the requirement not to exceed $300 per participant.

    Note:  For an applicant who is currently receiving an EOC 
program grant that is serving more than 1000 participants, the 
applicant is encouraged to continue to serve its current number of 
participants. However, if the applicant proposes to reduce the 
number of participants to be served, the applicant must propose to 
serve at least 1000 participants at a cost that does not exceed $300 
per participant.

    For an applicant who is currently receiving an EOC program grant 
that is serving 1,000 participants, but at a cost per participant 
exceeding $300, the applicant must either: (1) Propose to continue to 
serve 1,000 participants, but at a reduced award amount that is based 
on a $300 cost per participant (i.e. $300,000); or (2) request an award 
amount equal to 103% of the applicant's grant award amount for FY 2009 
or

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2010, whichever is greater, but increase the number of participants 
proposed to be served, such that the per participant cost does not 
exceed $300.
    The Department may choose to fund successful applicants who are 
currently receiving an EOC grant and serving more than 1000 
participants at a level equal to the greater of the award amount for FY 
2009 or FY 2010, instead of an amount equal to 103 percent of the 
greater of the award amount for FY 2009 or FY 2010. However, in that 
situation, the Department will adjust the number of participants that 
the applicant will be required to serve accordingly. For example, an 
applicant that is eligible to receive a $480,000 grant would be 
required to serve at least 1,600 participants.
    Pursuant to 34 CFR 644.32(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a budget exceeding the maximum amount described in this 
section for a single budget period of 12 months. We will also reject 
any application that proposes a budget to serve less than 1000 
participants or proposes a budget that exceeds the maximum per 
participant cost of $300.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 124.

    Note:  The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education; public 
and private agencies and organizations, including community-based 
organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth; 
combinations of these institutions, agencies, and organizations; and 
secondary schools.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: An applicant may submit more than one application for an 
EOC grant as long as each application describes a project that serves a 
different target area (34 CFR 644.10(a)). The Secretary is not 
designating any additional populations for which an applicant may 
submit a separate application under this competition (34 CFR 
644.10(b)).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Rachael Couch, U.S. 
Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 7000, Washington, DC 
20006-8510. Telephone: (202) 502-7600 or by e-mail: TRIO@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed 
in this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    Page Limit: The total page limit for the project narrative portion 
of the application for the FY 2011 EOC competition is 50 pages, 
including any discussion of how the application meets one or both of 
the invitational priorities. However, any application addressing the 
competitive preference priority may include up to five additional pages 
in a separate section of the application submission to discuss how the 
application meets the competitive preference priority. The five 
additional pages cannot be used for or transferred to the project 
narrative. Partial pages will count as a full page toward the page 
limit. Please use the following standards for the application 
narrative:
     A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on one side 
only, with 1'' margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. Page numbers 
and an identifier may be within the 1'' margin.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, except titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, captions, and all text in charts, 
tables, figures and graphs.
     Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the Application for 
Federal Assistance Face Sheet (SF 424); Part II, the budget information 
summary form (ED Form 524); the EOC Program Profile; the one-page 
Project Abstract narrative; and the assurances and certifications. The 
page limit also does not apply to a table of contents. If you include 
any attachments or appendices, these items will be counted as part of 
Part III, the application narrative, for purposes of the page-limit 
requirement. You must include your complete response to the selection 
criteria, which also includes the budget narrative, in Part III, the 
application narrative.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: April 6, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 23, 2011.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV. 7. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 20, 2011.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
644.31. We reference additional regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.

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    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue
    Service. If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the 
Internal Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you 
need a new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to 
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may not 
need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN 
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will 
need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take 
three or more business days to complete.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined in the 
Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see https://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf).
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an 
exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in 
this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    Applications for grants under the EOC Program, CFDA number 84.066A, 
must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov 
Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and 
then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the EOC Program 
at https://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable 
application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include 
the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.066, 
not 84.066A).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this program to ensure that you 
submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. 
You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to 
Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 system home 
page at https://www.G5.gov.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a .PDF (Portable Document) 
format only. If you upload a file type other than a .PDF or submit a 
password-protected file, we will not review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem

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affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 p.m., 
Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department 
will contact you after a determination is made on whether your 
application will be accepted.

    Note:  The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Geraldine Smith, U.S. 
Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 7000, Washington, DC 
20006-8510. FAX: (202) 502-7857.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and three copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.066A) LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.

    You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service.
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note:  The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a 
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with 
your local post office.

    c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.066A) 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.


    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications:  If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this notification within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program 
competition are from 34 CFR 644.21 and are listed in the application 
package.

    Note:  With the changes made to the Higher Education Act of 
1965, as amended, by the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the EOC 
Program objectives have been standardized. Please note that 
applicants are required to use these objectives to measure 
performance under the program. Specifically, under the 
``Objectives'' section of the selection criterion, 34 CFR 644.21(b), 
which is worth eight points, applicants should address the 
standardized objectives related to secondary school diploma or 
equivalent, financial aid applications, college admission 
applications, and postsecondary enrollment.

    2. Review and Selection Process: A panel of non-Federal readers 
will review each application in accordance with the selection criteria 
and the competitive preference priority, pursuant to 34 CFR 75.217. The 
individual scores of the readers will be added and the sum divided by 
the number of readers to determine the reader score received in the 
review process. In accordance with 34 CFR 644.22, the Secretary will 
evaluate the prior experience of applicants that received an EOC 
Program project grant for project years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10. 
Based on that evaluation, the Secretary may add prior experience points 
to the application's averaged reader score to determine the total score 
for each application. The Secretary makes new grants in rank order on 
the basis of the total scores of the reader scores and prior experience 
points awarded to each application. Pursuant to 34 CFR 644.20(c), if 
there are insufficient funds for all applications with the same total 
scores, the Secretary will choose among the tied applications so as to 
serve geographical areas that have been underserved by the EOC Program. 
The Secretary will not make a new grant to an applicant if the 
applicant's prior project involved the fraudulent use of program funds.
    We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in 
any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 
34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying 
out a previous award, such as the applicant's use of funds, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those

[[Page 19067]]

applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in 
programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the 
Department of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 
110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or, is otherwise not responsible.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:
    We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the 
application package and reference these and other requirements in the 
Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to https://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The success of the EOC Program will be 
measured by the EOC Program participants' success in completing a 
secondary school diploma or its equivalent, completion of applications 
for student financial aid, submission of applications for postsecondary 
admission, and postsecondary enrollment. All EOC Program grantees will 
be required to submit an annual performance report.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review 
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes 
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds 
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and 
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contacts

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Rachael Couch or Geraldine Smith, 
U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 7000, 
Washington, DC 20006-8510. Telephone: (202) 502-7600 or by e-mail: 
TRIO@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on 
request to one of the program contact persons listed under For Further 
Information Contact in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can 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.

    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 via the Federal Digital System at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys.


    Dated: March 31, 2011.
Eduardo M. Ochoa,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2011-8202 Filed 4-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P