Applications for New Awards; Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans Program, 27098-27102 [2019-12268]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27098-27102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12268]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Promoting Postbaccalaureate 
Opportunities for Hispanic Americans Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new individual development awards for fiscal 
year (FY) 2019 for the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for 
Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) Program, Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance (CFDA) number 84.031M. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: June 11, 2019.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 26, 2019.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 24, 2019.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (83 FR 3768) and available at: 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Maria E. Carrington, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 260-10, 
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7339. Email: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purposes of Program: The purposes of the PPOHA Program are to: (1) 
Expand postbaccalaureate educational opportunities for, and improve the 
academic attainment of, Hispanic students; and (2) expand the 
postbaccalaureate academic offerings, as well as enhance the program 
quality, in the institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are 
educating the majority of Hispanic college students and helping large 
numbers of Hispanic and low-income students complete postsecondary 
degrees.
    Background: While more Hispanics are pursuing a postsecondary 
education than ever before, college attainment rates among Hispanics 
still lag behind those for other groups. As of 2017, among Hispanics 
ages 25 to 29, just 19 percent had obtained a bachelor's degree or 
higher. By comparison, among the same age group, about 23 percent of 
blacks, 42 percent of whites, and 61 percent of Asian/Pacific Islanders 
had a bachelor's degree or higher.\1\
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    \1\ NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d17/tables/dt17_104.20.asp.
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    For many students that do receive a bachelor's degree, enrolling 
and persisting through a graduate program can be daunting, especially 
for first-generation students. The PPOHA program supports institutions 
that seek to develop, enhance, and promote postbaccalaureate 
opportunities for Hispanic students.
    Priorities: This notice contains two competitive priorities and one 
invitational priority. The first competitive preference priority is 
from the authorized activities for the PPOHA Program in section 513(7) 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The second 
competitive preference priority is from the Secretary's Final 
Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant 
Programs (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental Priorities), which was published in 
the Federal Register on March 2, 2018.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2019 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an application up to 
five additional points for each priority. Applicants may respond to one 
or both of the competitive preference priorities, for a total of up to 
10 additional points.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1 (Up to 5 additional points).
    Projects that propose collaboration with other institutions of 
higher education to expand postbaccalaureate certificate and 
postbaccalaureate degree offerings.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2 (Up to 5 additional points).
    Projects that are designed to support instruction in personal 
financial literacy, knowledge of markets and economics, knowledge of 
higher education financing and repayment (e.g., college savings and 
student loans), or other skills aimed at building

[[Page 27099]]

personal financial understanding and responsibility.
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2019 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this 
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    This priority is:
    Projects Designed To Promote the Development and/or Enhancement of 
Professional Science Master's (PSM) Degrees with Industry Recognized 
Certifications.
    Under this priority, we are particularly interested in projects 
that are designed to establish, improve, or expand PSM degree programs, 
which combine traditional academic training with specialized knowledge 
and skills that: (a) Closely align with the expectations and needs of 
business and industry and (b) prepare students for direct entry into a 
variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) 
career options in business and industry, Federal government, or non-
profit organizations.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1.
    Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in 
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation 
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve 
relevant outcomes.
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed 
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be 
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project 
components and relevant outcomes.
    Note: In developing and designing logic models, applicants may want 
to use resources such as the Pacific Education Laboratory's Education 
Logic Model Application (https://relpacific.mcrel.org/resources/elm-app/ 
or https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED544779.pdf).
    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, 
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence 
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of 
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices 
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1102-1102c; 1161aa-1.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department 
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474. (d) The notice of final requirements, published in the 
Federal Register on July 27, 2010 (75 FR 44055) (Final Requirements). 
(e) The Supplemental Priorities.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $11,051,370.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent fiscal years 
from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $350,000-$600,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000.
    Maximum Awards: We will not make an award for a PPOHA Program 
individual development grant exceeding $600,000 for a single budget 
period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 21.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Note: During the competition timeframe, applicants should 
periodically check the PPOHA Program website for announcements 
regarding technical assistance sessions for potential applicants, as 
well as any other competition program updates. The address is: 
www2.ed.gov/programs/ppoha/
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs that offer a postbaccalaureate 
certificate or postbaccalaureate degree program and qualify as eligible 
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) under section 502 of the HEA.
    Applicants also must meet the following criteria from the Final 
Requirements:
    Eligibility Criteria (Use of 34 CFR 606.2(a) and (b), 606.3 through 
606.5): To qualify as an eligible HSI for the PPOHA Program under 
sections 502 and 512(b) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1101a and 1102a), an IHE 
must--
    (a) Have an enrollment of needy students, as defined in section 
502(b) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1101a(b)) (cross-referenced in section 
502(a)(2)(A)(i) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(2)(A)(i));
    (b) Have, except as provided in section 522(b) of the HEA (20 
U.S.C. 1103a(b)), average educational and general expenditures that are 
low, per full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student, in 
comparison with the average educational and general expenditures per 
FTE undergraduate student of institutions that offer similar 
instruction (section 502(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(2)(A)(ii));
    Note: To demonstrate an enrollment of needy students and low 
average educational and general expenditures per FTE undergraduate 
student, an IHE must be designated as an ``eligible institution'' in 
accordance with 34 CFR 606.3 through 606.5 and the notice inviting 
applications for eligibility designation for the fiscal year for which 
the grant competition is being conducted.
    (c) Be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association that the Secretary has determined to be a reliable 
authority as to the quality of education or training offered, or making 
reasonable progress toward accreditation, according to such an agency 
or association (section 502(a)(2)(A)(iv) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(2)(A)(iv));
    (d) Be legally authorized to provide, and provide within the State, 
an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor's 
degree (section 502(a)(2)(A)(iii) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(2)(A)(iii)); and
    (e) Have an enrollment of undergraduate FTE students that is at 
least 25 percent Hispanic students at the end of the award year 
immediately preceding the date of application (section 502(a)(5)(B) of 
the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5)(B)).
    Note 1: Funds for the PPOHA Program will be awarded each fiscal 
year; thus, for this program, the ``end of the award year immediately 
preceding the date of application'' refers to the end of the fiscal 
year prior to the application due date. The end of the fiscal year 
occurs on September 30 for any given year.
    Note 2: In considering applications for grants under this program, 
the Department will compare the data and documentation the institution 
relied on

[[Page 27100]]

in its application with data reported to the Department's Integrated 
Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the IHE's State-reported 
enrollment data, and the institutional annual report. If different 
percentages or data are reported in these various sources, the 
institution must, as part of the 25 percent assurance verification, 
explain the reason for the differences. If the IPEDS data show that 
less than 25 percent of the institution's undergraduate FTE students 
are Hispanic, the burden is on the institution to show that the IPEDS 
data are inaccurate. If the IPEDS data indicate that the institution 
has an undergraduate FTE less than 25 percent, and the institution 
fails to demonstrate that the IPEDS data are inaccurate, the 
institution will be considered ineligible.
    For purposes of this competition, the data that we will use to 
determine percent enrollment for school year is 2017-2018.
    Note 3: In addition, for the purpose of establishing eligibility 
under 34 CFR 606.5 for this FY 2019 competition, the notice inviting 
applications for eligibility designation for FY 2019 was published in 
the Federal Register on January 29, 2019 (84 FR 451). Only institutions 
that submitted the required application and received designation 
through that process are eligible to submit an application for this 
competition.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements.
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application.
    4. Other:
    (a) Limit on Number of Individual Development Grants. An eligible 
HSI will not be awarded more than one grant under the PPOHA Program (20 
U.S.C. 1102c).
    (b) Limit on Applications From an Eligible Institution. In any 
fiscal year, an eligible institution may submit only one application 
for a grant under the PPOHA Program. This restriction is intended to 
ensure that more HSIs have an opportunity for assistance under title V, 
part B of the HEA.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which 
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. 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.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of 
the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection 
criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend 
that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages 
and (2) use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative. Titles, headings, footnotes, 
quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, 
tables, figures, and graphs, are excluded.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no 
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover 
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page abstract and the bibliography. However, the recommended page limit 
does apply to all of the application narrative.
    Note: The Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs Form (ED 
524) Sections A-C are not the same as the narrative response to the 
Budget section of the selection criteria.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from section 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows. Applicants should 
address each of the selection criteria separately for each proposed 
activity. The total weight of the selection criteria is 100 points; the 
weight of each criterion is noted in parentheses.
    (a) Need for project. (Maximum 5 points) The Secretary considers 
the need for the proposed project. In determining the need for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers:
    (i) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or 
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (up to 2 
points)
    (ii) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses. (up to 3 points)
    (b) Quality of the project design. (Maximum 15 points) The 
Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. 
In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. 
(up to 5 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs. (up to 5 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a 
rationale (as defined in this notice) (up to 5 points)
    (c) Quality of project services. (Maximum 20 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. In addition, the Secretary 
considers:
    (i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or 
beneficiaries of those services. (up to 10 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and 
effective practice. (up to 5 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the design for implementing and 
evaluating the proposed project will result in information to guide 
possible replication of project activities or strategies, including 
information about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies 
employed by the project. (up to 5 points)

[[Page 27101]]

    (d) Significance. (Maximum 5 points)
    The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project. 
In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the 
needs of the target population.
    (e) Adequacy of resources. (Maximum 15 points) The Secretary 
considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In 
determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers:
    (i) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project. (up to 5 points)
    (ii) The potential for the incorporation of project purposes, 
activities, or benefits into the ongoing program of the agency or 
organization at the end of Federal funding. (up to 10 points)
    (f) Quality of project personnel. (Maximum 5 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    In addition, the Secretary considers the extent to which the time 
commitments of the project director and principal investigator and 
other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the 
objectives of the proposed project. (up to 5 points)
    (g) Quality of the management plan. (Maximum 20 points) The 
Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks. (up to 10 points)
    (ii) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and 
continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project. (up to 
10 points)
    (h) Quality of the project evaluation. (Maximum 15 points) The 
Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of 
the proposed project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the 
Secretary considers:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project. (up to 5 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible. (up to 5 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes. (up to 5 points)
    2. Review and Selection Process: 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, achievement of project objectives, 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 
requires various assurances 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).
    A panel of three non-Federal reviewers will review and score each 
application in accordance with the selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.210. 
A rank order funding slate will be made from this review and the 
competitive preference priority points. Awards will be made in rank 
order according to the average score received from the peer review.
    In the event there are two or more applications with the same final 
score, and there are insufficient funds to fully support each of these 
applications, the Department will use other information to select 
applications (as noted in 34 CFR 75.217). This information is included 
below. The Department will apply the following procedure to determine 
which application or applications will receive an award:
    First Tiebreaker: The first tiebreaker will be the highest average 
score for the selection criterion ``Quality of Project Services.'' If a 
tie remains, the second tiebreaker will be utilized.
    Second Tiebreaker: The second tiebreaker will be the highest 
average score for the selection criterion ``Quality of Project 
Design.'' If a tie remains, the third tiebreaker will be utilized.
    Third Tiebreaker: The third tiebreaker will be the highest average 
score for the selection criterion ``Quality of Project Evaluation.''
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this program the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk 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 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

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); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, 
also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.

[[Page 27102]]

    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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must 
have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This 
dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. 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 multiyear 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 www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    5. Performance Measures: The Secretary has established the 
following key performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of 
the PPOHA Program:
    (a) The percentage change, over the five-year grant period, of the 
number of full-time degree-seeking graduate and professional students 
enrolled at HSIs currently receiving an award under this program.
    (b) The percentage change, over the five-year grant period, of the 
number of master's, doctoral, and first-professional degrees and 
postbaccalaureate certificates awarded at HSIs currently receiving an 
award under this program; and
    (c) Cost per successful outcome: The Federal cost per master's, 
doctoral, and first-professional degree and postbaccalaureate 
certificate awarded at HSIs currently receiving an award under this 
program.
    6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, 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. 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 
one of the persons listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. 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 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: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced feature at 
this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the 
Department.

    Dated: June 5, 2019.
Diane Auer Jones,
Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Delegated to Perform the Duties of 
Under Secretary and Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary 
Education.
[FR Doc. 2019-12268 Filed 6-10-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P