Applications for New Awards; Predominantly Black Institutions Formula Grant Program, 51011-51014 [2011-20998]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51011-51014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20998]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Predominantly Black Institutions 
Formula Grant Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information:
    Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Formula Grant Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2011.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.031P.


DATES: Purpose of Program: Through the Predominantly Black Institutions 
(PBI) Formula Grant Program, the Department makes grant awards to 
eligible institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and implement 
programs to enhance their capacity to serve more low- and middle-income 
Black American students; to expand higher education opportunities for 
eligible students by encouraging college preparation and student 
persistence in secondary school and postsecondary education; and to 
strengthen the financial ability of the institutions to serve the 
academic needs of these students.

    Program Authority: Title III, part A, section 318 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1059e).

    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 82, 84, 
85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Formula Grant.
    Estimated Available Funds $9,601,758.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: Grants awarded under the PBI 
Formula Grant Program will be allotted to eligible institutions based 
on the formula included in section 318(e) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 
1059e(e)), with no grantee allotted less than $250,000.
    If the amount appropriated for this program for a fiscal year is 
not sufficient to pay the minimum allotment to eligible institutions, 
then the amount of the minimum allotment must be ratably reduced, in 
accordance with section 318(e) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1059e(e)(4)).
    Funding Formula:
    Grant amounts to PBIs will be awarded according to the following 
formula:
    (1) Federal Pell Grant basis--From the amount appropriated for this 
program for any fiscal year, the Secretary allots to each PBI with an 
approved application a sum that bears the same ratio to one-half of 
that amount as the number of Federal Pell Grant recipients in 
attendance at such institution at the end of the academic year 
preceding the beginning of that fiscal year, bears to the total number 
of Federal Pell Grant recipients at all such institutions at the end of 
such academic year.
    (2) Graduates basis--From the amount appropriated for this program 
for any fiscal year, the Secretary allots to each PBI with an approved 
application a sum that bears the same ratio to one-fourth of that 
amount as the number of graduates for such academic year at such 
institution, bears to the total number of graduates for such academic 
year at all such institutions.
    (3) Graduates Seeking a higher degree basis--From the amount 
appropriated for this program for any fiscal year, the Secretary allots 
to each PBI with an approved application a sum that bears the same 
ratio to one-fourth of that amount as the percentage of graduates from 
such institution who are admitted to and in attendance at, not later 
than two years after graduation with an associate's degree or a 
baccalaureate degree, a baccalaureate degree-granting institution or a 
graduate or professional school in a degree program in disciplines in 
which Black American students are underrepresented, bears to the 
percentage of such graduates for all such institutions.
    Estimated Number of Awards: All applicant institutions that meet 
the eligibility requirements will receive a portion of the total 
appropriations for the PBI Formula Grant Program.

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

    Project Period: 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: To be eligible, an applicant must have 
previously submitted the ``Application for Designation as an Eligible 
Institution'' and received FY 2011 designation as an eligible 
institution for programs under title III and title V of the HEA. The 
regulations explaining the standards for designation can be found in 34 
CFR 607.2 through 607.5. In addition, an applicant must--

[[Page 51012]]

    (1) Have an enrollment of needy undergraduate students as defined 
in section 318(b)(2) of the HEA;
    (2) Have an average educational and general expenditure that is 
low, per full-time equivalent undergraduate student, in comparison with 
the average educational and general expenditure per full-time 
equivalent undergraduate student of institutions that offer similar 
instruction, except that the Secretary may apply the waiver 
requirements described in section 392(b) of the HEA to this 
subparagraph in the same manner as the Secretary applies the waiver 
requirements to section 312(b)(1)(B) of the HEA;
    (3) Have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is not less 
than 40 percent Black American students;
    (4) Be legally authorized to provide, and provide, within the State 
an educational program for which the institution of higher education 
awards a baccalaureate degree or, in the case of a junior or community 
college, an associate's degree;
    (5) Be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association determined by the Secretary to be a reliable authority as 
to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency 
or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation; and
    (6) Not be receiving funds under any other provision of part A or 
part B of title III of the HEA or part A of title V of the HEA or be 
authorized to receive an annual appropriation under the Act of March 2, 
1867 (20 U.S.C. 123).
    To be eligible for a grant under the PBI Formula Grant Program, an 
applicant must also meet the definition of a Predominantly Black 
Institution in section 318(b)(6) of the HEA. The term Predominantly 
Black Institution means an institution of higher education, as defined 
in section 101(a) of the HEA--
    (A) That is an eligible institution with not less than 1,000 
undergraduate students;
    (B) At which not less than 50 percent of the undergraduate students 
enrolled at the eligible institution are low-income individuals or 
first-generation college students; and
    (C) At which not less than 50 percent of the undergraduate students 
are enrolled in an educational program leading to a bachelor's or 
associate's degree that the eligible institution is licensed to award 
by the State (defined as each of the 50 States and the District of 
Columbia) in which the eligible institution is located.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching unless the grantee uses a portion of its grant for 
establishing or improving an endowment fund. If a grantee uses a 
portion of its grant for endowment fund purposes, it must match those 
grant funds with non-Federal funds in an amount equal to or greater 
than the Federal funds used for the establishment or increase of the 
endowment fund (20 U.S.C. 1059e(d)(3)).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Department. To obtain 
a copy via the Internet, use the following address for the PBI Formula 
Grant Program Web site: https://www.ed.gov/programs/pbihea/. 
To obtain a copy from the Department, write, fax, or call the 
following: Bernadette D. Miles, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K 
Street, NW., Room 6025, Washington, DC 20006-8515. Telephone: (202) 
502-7616, or by e-mail: bernadette.miles@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 compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in 
this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: The application 
process for this program has two phases: Phase I involves submitting 
2009-2010 data used to run the funding formula; Phase II includes the 
narrative project plan and standard forms. The deadline dates for 
submitting Phases I and II of the application are listed in this 
notice. Other requirements concerning the content of an application, 
together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package 
for this program.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: August 17, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Phase I of Applications: September 1, 
2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Phase II of Applications: September 16, 
2011.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically as an e-mail attachment to pbiprogram@ed.gov by 12:00:00 
a.m. Washington, DC time, on the deadline date.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section in 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.
    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.
    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 Predominantly Black Institutions 
Formula Grant Program--CFDA Number 84.031P must be submitted 
electronically via e-mail to pbiprogram@ed.gov.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you

[[Page 51013]]

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 PBI Program 
at https://www.ed.gov/programs/pbihea/.
    Please note the following:
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 12:00:00 a.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We will not accept an application for this program after 
12:00:00 a.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. 
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the 
application deadline date to begin the application process.
     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 attach any narrative sections of your application 
as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable 
Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file 
types specified in this paragraph 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.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     Within three working days after submitting Phase II of 
your electronic application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the 
Application Control Center after following these steps:
    (1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.
    (2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.
    (4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    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 
via e-mail because--
     You do not have access to the Internet;
    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 
prevents 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: Bernadette D. Miles, 
U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., Room 6025, 
Washington, DC 20006-8515. FAX: (202) 502-7861.
    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 two 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 84.031P), 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 84.031P), 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

    Grants awarded under the PBI Formula Grant Program are based on a 
formula. All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will 
receive a portion of the total appropriations for

[[Page 51014]]

this program based on the formula contained in section 318(e) of the 
HEA (20 U.S.C. 1059e(e)).
    Department staff will review applications to determine eligibility 
and to ensure that all activities proposed in the application are 
allowable under section 318(d) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1059e(d)).
    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: 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 Secretary has established the 
following key performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of 
the PBI Formula Grant Program:
    (a) Enrollment Rate: The percentage change of the number of full-
time degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at PBIs.
    (b) Persistence Rate--four-year institutions: The percentage of 
first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students at four-
year PBIs who were in their first year of postsecondary enrollment in 
the previous year and are enrolled in the current year at the same 
four-year PBI.
    (c) Persistence Rate--two-year institutions: The percentage of 
first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students at two-year 
PBIs who were in their first year of postsecondary enrollment in the 
previous year and are enrolled in the current year at the same two-year 
PBI.
    (d) Completion Rate--four-year institutions: The percentage of 
first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at 
four-year PBIs who graduate within six years of enrollment.
    (e) Completion Rate--two-year institutions: The percentage of 
first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at 
two-year PBIs who graduate within three years of enrollment.
    (f) Efficiency Measure: Cost per successful program outcome: 
Federal cost per undergraduate degree at PBIs.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernadette D. Miles, Institutional 
Service, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., Room 6025, 
Washington, DC 20006-8515. Telephone: (202) 502-7616, or by e-mail: 
bernadette.miles@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 compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
in section VII of this notice. Electronic Access to This Document: 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. At this site 
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). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, 
which is available free at the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: https://www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: August 12, 2011.
Eduardo M. Ochoa,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2011-20998 Filed 8-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P