Applications for New Awards; Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (State Grants), 35858-35863 [2023-11641]
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www.regulations.gov as they are
received without change, including any
personal identifiers or contact
information.
DOD Clearance Officer: Ms. Angela
Duncan.
Requests for copies of the information
collection proposal should be sent to
Ms. Duncan at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dddod-information-collections@mail.mil.
Dated: May 24, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023–11572 Filed 5–31–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Gaining
Early Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs (State
Grants)
Office of Postsecondary
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications for new awards for fiscal
year (FY) 2023 for Gaining Early
Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
State Grants, Assistance Listing Number
84.334S. This notice relates to the
approved information collection under
OMB control number 1840–0821,
Application for GEAR UP State Grants.
DATES:
Applications Available: June 1, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: July 31, 2023.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: August 30, 2023.
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 December 7, 2022
(87 FR 75045), and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554.
Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version
published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben
Witthoefft, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 5C118, Washington, DC 20202–
6450. Telephone: 202–453–7576. Email:
Ben.Witthoefft@ed.gov.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability and wish to
access telecommunications relay
services, please dial 7–1–1.
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SUMMARY:
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The GEAR UP
program is a discretionary grant
program that encourages eligible entities
to provide support, and maintain a
commitment to, eligible students from
low-income backgrounds, including
students with disabilities, to assist the
students in obtaining a secondary
school diploma (or its recognized
equivalent) and to prepare for and
succeed in postsecondary education.
Under the GEAR UP program, the
Department awards grants to two types
of entities: (1) States and (2) eligible
partnerships.
Background: In this notice, the
Department invites applications for
State grants only. Required services
under the GEAR UP program are
specified in section 404D(a) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1070a–24(a)),
and permissible services under the
GEAR UP program are specified in
section 404D(b) and (c) of the HEA (20
U.S.C. 1070a–24(b) and (c)). Grantee
activities must include providing
financial aid information for
postsecondary education, encouraging
enrollment in rigorous and challenging
coursework in order to reduce the need
for remediation at the postsecondary
level, implementing activities to
improve the number of participating
students who obtain a secondary school
diploma and who complete applications
for and enroll in a program of
postsecondary education, and providing
scholarships as specified in section
404E of the HEA. Additional
permissible activities for State grantees
are specified in sections 404D(b) and (c)
of the HEA.
Priorities: This notice contains two
competitive preference priorities. In
accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii)
and (iv), Competitive Preference Priority
1 is from section 404A(b)(3) of the HEA
(20 U.S.C. 1070a–21(b)(3)) and the
GEAR UP program regulations (34 CFR
694.19). Competitive Preference Priority
2 is from the Secretary’s Final
Supplemental Priorities and Definitions
for Discretionary Grant Programs,
published in the Federal Register on
December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612)
(Supplemental Priorities).
Competitive Preference Priorities: For
FY 2023 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 up to
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an additional 10 points to an
application, depending on how well the
application meets the priorities.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1—
Successful State GEAR UP grant prior to
August 14, 2008 (Up to 2 points).
We give priority to an eligible
applicant for a State GEAR UP grant that
has (a) carried out a successful State
GEAR UP grant prior to August 14,
2008, determined on the basis of data
(including outcome data) submitted by
the applicant as part of its annual and
final performance reports, and the
applicant’s history of compliance with
applicable statutory and regulatory
requirements; and (b) a prior
demonstrated commitment to early
intervention leading to college access
through collaboration and replication of
successful strategies.
Competitive Preference Priority 2—
Increasing Postsecondary Education
Access, Affordability, Completion, and
Post-Enrollment Success (Up to 8
points).
Projects that are designed to increase
postsecondary access, affordability,
completion, and success for
underserved students by addressing one
or more of the following priority areas:
(a) Establishing a system of highquality data collection and analysis,
such as data on persistence, retention,
completion, and post-college outcomes,
for transparency, accountability, and
institutional improvement (up to 4
points); and
(b) Providing secondary school
students with access to career
exploration and advising opportunities
to help students make informed
decisions about their postsecondary
enrollment decisions and to place them
on a career path (up to 4 points).
Definitions: The definitions of
‘‘demonstrates a rationale,’’ ‘‘logic
model,’’ ‘‘project component,’’ and
‘‘relevant outcome’’ are from 34 CFR
77.1(c). The definition of ‘‘underserved
students’’ is from the Supplemental
Priorities:
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 a
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.
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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.
Underserved student means a student
in postsecondary education in one or
more of the following subgroups:
(a) A student who is living in poverty
or is served by schools with high
concentrations of students living in
poverty.
(b) A student of color.
(c) An English learner.
(d) A migrant student.
(e) A student without documentation
of immigration status.
(f) A student who is the first in their
family to attend postsecondary
education.
(g) A student enrolling in or seeking
to enroll postsecondary education for
the first time at the age of 20 or older.
(h) A student who is working fulltime while enrolled in postsecondary
education.
(i) A student who is enrolled in or is
seeking to enroll in postsecondary
education who is eligible for a Pell
Grant.
(j) An adult student in need of
improving their basic skills or an adult
student with limited English
proficiency.
For purposes of the definition of
underserved student only—
English learner means an individual
who is an English learner as defined in
section 8101(20) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as
amended, or an individual who is an
English language learner as defined in
section 203(7) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–
21—1070a–28.
Note: Projects will be awarded and
must be operated in a manner consistent
with the nondiscrimination
requirements contained in the Federal
civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The
Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in
34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 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
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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
regulations for this program in 34 CFR
part 694. (e) The Supplemental
Priorities.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds:
$20,000,000.
Contingent upon the availability of
funds and the quality of applications,
we may make additional awards in
subsequent years from the list of
unfunded applications from this
competition.
Estimated Range of Awards:
$3,000,000¥$5,000,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$4,000,000.
Maximum Award: We will not make
an award for a State grant exceeding
$5,000,000 for a single budget period of
12 months. Additionally, no funding
will be awarded for increases in years 2
through 7.
Estimated Number of Awards: 5.
Note: The Department is not bound by
any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Either 72 months or 84
months.
Note: An applicant that wishes to seek
funding for a seventh project year (i.e.,
for a project period greater than 72
months) in order to provide project
services to GEAR UP students through
their first year of attendance at an
institution of higher education (IHE)
must propose to do so in its application.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: States (as
defined in section 103(20) of the HEA
(20 U.S.C. 1003(20)), which includes the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
District of Columbia, Guam, American
Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands,
the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, and the Freely
Associated States. Per congressional
direction in House Report 117–403 2023
(Pub. L. 117–328), only States without
an active State GEAR UP grant, or States
that have an active State GEAR UP grant
that is scheduled to end prior to October
1, 2023, are eligible to receive a new
State GEAR UP award in this
competition. States with grants
remaining open beyond October 1, 2023,
for a no-cost extension period or for the
sole purpose of data collection and
analysis activities are not considered
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active for purposes of implementing this
directive.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching:
Section 404C(b)(1) of the HEA requires
grantees under this program to provide
from State, local, institutional, or
private funds, not less than 50 percent
of the cost of the program (or one dollar
of non-Federal funds for every one
dollar of Federal funds awarded), which
may be provided in cash or in-kind. The
provision also specifies that the match
may be accrued over the full duration of
the grant award period, except that the
grantee must make substantial progress
toward meeting the matching
requirement in each year of the grant
award period.
Section 404C(c) of the HEA provides
that in-kind contributions may include
(1) the amount of the financial
assistance obligated under GEAR UP to
students from State, local, institutional,
or private funds, (2) the amount of
tuition, fees, room or board waived or
reduced for recipients of financial
assistance under GEAR UP, (3) the
amount expended on documented,
targeted, long-term mentoring and
counseling provided by volunteers or
paid staff of non-school organizations,
including businesses, religious
organizations, community groups,
postsecondary educational institutions,
nonprofit and philanthropic
organizations, and other organizations,
and (4) equipment and supplies, cash
contributions from non-Federal sources,
transportation expenses, in-kind or
discounted program services, indirect
costs, and facility usage.
Grantees must include a budget
detailing the source of the matching
funds and must provide an outline of
the types of matching contributions for
at least the first year of the grant in their
grant applications. Consistent with 2
CFR 200.306(b), any matching funds
must be an allowable use of funds
consistent with the GEAR UP program
requirements and the cost principles
detailed in subpart E of 2 CFR part 200,
and not included as a contribution for
any other Federal award.
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This
competition involves supplement, not
supplant funding requirements. Under
section 404B(e) of the HEA (20 U.S.C.
1070a–22(e)), grant funds awarded
under this program must be used to
supplement, and not supplant, other
Federal, State, and local funds that
would otherwise be expended to carry
out activities assisted under this
program.
c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: For
entities eligible to apply to this
competition, the program regulations at
34 CFR 694.11 limit indirect cost
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reimbursement to the rate determined in
the entity’s negotiated indirect cost rate
agreement, or 8 percent of a modified
total direct cost base, whichever amount
is less. For more information regarding
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated
indirect cost rate, please see
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/
intro.html.
d. Administrative Cost Limitation:
This program does not include any
program-specific limitation on
administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be
reasonable and necessary and conform
to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR
part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
3. Other: General Application
Requirements: All applicants must meet
the following application requirements
in order to be considered for funding.
The application requirements are from
sections 404C(a) and 404E of the HEA
(20 U.S.C. 1070a–23(a); 20 U.S.C.
1070a–25).
In order for an eligible entity to
qualify for a grant under the GEAR UP
program, the eligible entity must submit
to the Secretary an application for
carrying out a GEAR UP program that—
(a) Describes the activities for which
assistance under this program is sought,
including how the eligible entity will
carry out the required activities
described in section 404D(a) of the HEA;
(b) Describes, in the case of an eligible
entity described in section 404A(c)(1) of
the HEA, how the eligible entity will
meet the requirements of section 404E
of the HEA;
(c) Provides assurances that adequate
administrative and support staff will be
responsible for coordinating the
activities described in section 404D of
the HEA;
(d) Provides assurances that activities
assisted under this program will not
displace an employee or eliminate a
position at a school assisted under this
program, including a partial
displacement such as a reduction in
hours, wages, or employment benefits;
(e) Describes, in the case of an eligible
entity described in section 404A(c)(1) of
the HEA that chooses to use a cohort
approach, how the eligible entity will
define the cohorts of the students served
by the eligible entity pursuant to section
404B(d) of the HEA, and how the
eligible entity will serve the cohorts
through grade 12, including—
(i) How vacancies in the program
under this program will be filled; and
(ii) How the eligible entity will serve
students attending different secondary
schools;
(f) Describes how the eligible entity
will coordinate programs under this
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program with other existing Federal,
State, or local programs to avoid
duplication and maximize the number
of students served;
(g) Provides such additional
assurances as the Secretary determines
necessary to ensure compliance with the
requirements of this program;
(h) Provides information about the
activities that will be carried out by the
eligible entity to support systemic
changes from which future cohorts of
students will benefit;
(i) Describes the sources of matching
funds that will enable the eligible entity
to meet the matching requirement
described in section 404C(b); and
(j) Demonstrates, in the case of an
eligible entity that is requesting to use
more than 50 percent of grant funds on
GEAR UP early intervention activities
and less than 50 percent of grant funds
on scholarships, that the eligible entity
has another means or multiple means of
providing scholarships that meet the
minimum Pell Grant requirements
under 20 U.S.C. 1070a–25(d) to students
eligible for a GEAR UP scholarship as
defined under 20 U.S.C. 1070a–25(g).
States requesting an exception from the
requirement that they spend at least 50
percent of their grant dollars on
scholarships must provide
documentation of those other means of
providing scholarships to the students
eligible for a GEAR UP scholarship as
defined under 20 U.S.C. 1070a–25(g) in
their application, such as a
comprehensive list of other sources of
aid that reduce or eliminate the need for
the grantee to provide GEAR UP
scholarships to eligible students out of
their federal funding; the projected
number of students that the grantee
expects to receive aid through those
sources (e.g. based on past cohorts, if
applicable); and an estimate of the
number of students eligible for a GEAR
UP scholarship that are not expected to
receive aid through those other sources,
if any.
4. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR
75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this
competition may award subgrants to the
following types of entities: Local
Educational Agencies (LEAs), State
Educational Agencies (SEAs), IHEs, and
nonprofit organizations. The grantee
may only award subgrants to entities it
has identified in an approved
application. Under 34 CFR 75.708(d),
grantees must ensure that (1) subgrants
are awarded on the basis of an approved
budget that is consistent with the
grantee’s approved application and all
applicable Federal statutory, regulatory,
and other requirements; (2) every
subgrant includes any conditions
required by Federal statute and
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executive orders and their
implementing regulations; and (3)
subgrantees are aware of requirements
imposed upon them by Federal statute
and regulation, including the Federal
anti-discrimination laws enforced by the
Department.
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
December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and
available at www.federalregister.gov/d/
2022-26554, which contain
requirements and information on how to
submit an application. Please note that
these Common Instructions supersede
the version published on December 27,
2021.
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. Please note that, under 34 CFR
79.8(a), we have shortened the standard
60-day intergovernmental review period
in order to make awards by the end of
FY 2023.
3. Funding Restrictions: We specify
unallowable costs in subpart E of 2 CFR
part 200. We reference regulations
outlining funding restrictions in the
Applicable Regulations section of this
notice.
Under HEA section 404E(b)(1) (20
U.S.C. 1070a–25(b)(1)), a State must use
not less than 25 percent and not more
than 50 percent of the grant funds for
GEAR UP project activities described in
HEA section 404D,1 with the remainder
of grant funds spent on scholarships to
eligible GEAR UP students described in
HEA section 404E. However, HEA
section 404E(b)(2) (20 U.S.C. 1070a–
25(b)(2)) permits the Secretary to allow
a State to use more than 50 percent of
grant funds received under this program
for GEAR UP project activities described
in HEA section 404D if the State
demonstrates that it has another means
of providing the students eligible for a
GEAR UP scholarship as defined under
20 U.S.C. 1070a–25(g) with the financial
assistance described in HEA section
404E and describes such means in the
State’s application.
1 Excluding the provision of funds for
postsecondary scholarships required by HEA
section 404D(a)(4).
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4. Recommended Page Limit: The
application narrative 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 65 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, excluding titles,
headings, footnotes, quotations,
references, captions as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
• Use a font that is either 12-point
font or larger or 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 the cover sheet; the budget
section, including the narrative budget
justification; the assurances and
certifications or the one-page abstract.
However, the recommended page limit
does apply to all of the application
narrative.
We recommend that any application
addressing the competitive preference
priorities include no more than three
additional pages for each priority
addressed.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this competition are from 34
CFR 75.210.
(a)Need for project. (up to 15 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the need
for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the need for the
proposed project, the Secretary
considers:
(i) The magnitude or severity of the
problem to be addressed by the
proposed project (up to 5 points);
(ii) The extent to which the proposed
project will provide services or
otherwise address the needs of students
at risk of educational failure (up to 5
points); and
(iii) The extent to which the proposed
project will focus on serving or
otherwise addressing the needs of
disadvantaged individuals (up to 5
points).
(b) Quality of the project design. (up
to 30 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the design of the proposed
project.
(2) 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
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by the proposed project are clearly
specified and measurable (up to 8
points);
(ii) The extent to which the proposed
project demonstrates a rationale (as
defined in this notice) (up to 7 points);
(iii) The extent to which the proposed
project represents an exceptional
approach for meeting statutory purposes
and requirements; (up to 8 points); and
(iv) How the applicant will ensure
that a diversity of perspectives are
brought to bear in the operation of the
proposed project, including those of
parents, teachers, the business
community, a variety of disciplinary
and professional fields, recipients or
beneficiaries of services, or others, as
appropriate (up to 7 points).
(c) Adequacy of resources. (up to 15
points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
adequacy of resources for the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of
resources for the proposed project, the
Secretary considers:
(i) The adequacy of support, including
facilities, equipment, supplies, and
other resources, from the applicant
organization or the lead applicant
organization and the relevance and
demonstrated commitment of each
partner in the proposed project to the
implementation and success of the
project (up to 5 points);
(ii) The extent to which the costs are
reasonable in relation to the number of
persons to be served and to the
anticipated results and benefits (up to 5
points); and
(iii) The potential for continued
support of the project after Federal
funding ends, including, as appropriate,
the demonstrated commitment of
appropriate entities to such support (up
to 5 points).
(d) Quality of project personnel. (up to
20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the personnel who will carry
out the proposed project.
(2) 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 (up to 5
points).
(3) In addition, the Secretary
considers:
(i) The qualifications, including
relevant training and experience, of the
project director or principal investigator
(up to 5 points);
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(ii) The qualifications, including
relevant training and experience, of key
project personnel (up to 5 points); and
(iii) 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).
(e) Quality of the project evaluation.
(up to 20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the
project evaluation, the Secretary
considers:
(i) 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 10 points); and
(ii) The extent to which the methods
of evaluation will provide performance
feedback and permit periodic
assessment of progress toward achieving
intended outcome (up to 10 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).
For this competition, a panel of nonFederal reviewers will review each
application in accordance with the
selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3),
as required by 20 U.S.C. 1070–a23(d).
The individual scores of the reviewers
will be added and the sum divided by
the number of reviewers to determine
the peer review score received in the
review process.
If there are insufficient funds for all
applications with the same total scores,
the Secretary will, to the extent
practicable, consider the distribution of
grant awards based on the geographic
distribution of such grant awards and
the distribution between urban and
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rural applicants for the GEAR UP
program consistent with 20 U.S.C.
1070a–22(a)(3). The first tiebreaker
criterion will be to select for funding the
tied applicant(s) representing the
State(s) that has gone longest since
being funded under the GEAR UP State
program. If still tied, the second
tiebreaker will be to fund—from the
States still tied after implementing the
first tiebreaker—the applicant from the
State with the smallest amount of GEAR
UP Partnership grant funding, per lowincome student. If still tied, the third
tiebreaker will be to fund the States
with the highest percentage of
individuals living in poverty.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific
Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under
this competition the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by
applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the
Secretary may impose specific
conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, 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 200.206(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.
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5. In General: In accordance with the
Office of Management and Budget’s
guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all
applicable Federal laws, and relevant
Executive guidance, the Department
will review and consider applications
for funding pursuant to this notice
inviting applications in accordance
with—
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to
be successful in delivering results based
on the program objectives through an
objective process of evaluating Federal
award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain
telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in
alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of
2019 (Pub. L. 115–232) (2 CFR 200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the
extent permitted by law, to maximize
use of goods, products, and materials
produced in the United States (2 CFR
200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole
or in part to the greatest extent
authorized by law if an award no longer
effectuates the program goals or agency
priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
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 will 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. 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
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open licensing is permitted under the
terms of any licenses or other legal
restrictions on the use of pre-existing
works. Additionally, a grantee or
subgrantee 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
performance measures for the GEAR UP
Program are established for Department
reporting under 34 CFR 75.110. The
objectives of the GEAR UP program are
(1) to increase the academic
performance and preparation for
postsecondary education of
participating students; (2) to increase
the rate of high school graduation and
participation in postsecondary
education of participating students; and
(3) to increase education expectations
for participating students and increase
student and family knowledge of
postsecondary education options,
preparation, and financing.
The effectiveness of this program
depends on the rate at which program
participants complete high school and
enroll in and complete a postsecondary
education. We developed the following
performance measures to track progress
toward achieving the program’s goals:
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1. The percentage of GEAR UP
students who pass Algebra 1 or its
equivalent by the end of ninth grade.
2. The percentage of GEAR UP
students who graduate from high
school.
3. The percentage of GEAR UP
students who complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid.
4. The percentage of GEAR UP
students and former GEAR UP students
who are enrolled at an IHE.
In addition, to assess the efficiency of
the program, we track the average cost,
in Federal funds, of achieving a
successful outcome, where success is
defined as enrollment in a program of
undergraduate instruction at an IHE of
GEAR UP students immediately after
high school graduation. These
performance measures constitute GEAR
UP’s indicators of the success of the
program. Accordingly, we require that
applicants include these performance
measures in conceptualizing the design,
implementation, and evaluation of their
proposed projects.
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, whether the grantee has
made substantial progress in achieving
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: On request to the
program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT,
individuals with disabilities can obtain
this document and a copy of the
application package in an accessible
format. The Department will provide the
requestor with an accessible format that
may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or
text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3
file, braille, large print, audiotape, or
compact disc, or other accessible format.
Electronic Access to This Document:
The official version of this document is
the document published in the Federal
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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
search feature at this site, you can limit
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Nasser H. Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary
Education.
[FR Doc. 2023–11641 Filed 5–31–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED–2023–SCC–0050]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Comment Request;
Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee Report
Federal Student Aid (FSA),
Department of Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995, the Department is proposing an
extension without change of a currently
approved information collection request
(ICR).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before July 3,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for proposed
information collection requests should
be submitted within 30 days of
publication of this notice. Click on this
link www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain to access the site. Find this
information collection request (ICR) by
selecting ‘‘Department of Education’’
under ‘‘Currently Under Review,’’ then
check the ‘‘Only Show ICR for Public
Comment’’ checkbox. Reginfo.gov
provides two links to view documents
related to this information collection
request. Information collection forms
and instructions may be found by
clicking on the ‘‘View Information
Collection (IC) List’’ link. Supporting
statements and other supporting
documentation may be found by
SUMMARY:
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35863
clicking on the ‘‘View Supporting
Statement and Other Documents’’ link.
For
specific questions related to collection
activities, please contact Beth
Grebeldinger, (202) 377–4018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The
Department is especially interested in
public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the
Department; (2) will this information be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might the Department enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how
might the Department minimize the
burden of this collection on the
respondents, including through the use
of information technology. Please note
that written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered public records.
Title of Collection: Consolidation
Loan Rebate Fee Report.
OMB Control Number: 1845–0046.
Type of Review: Extension without
change of a currently approved ICR.
Respondents/Affected Public: Private
Sector; State, Local, and Tribal
Governments.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 3,108.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 3,367.
Abstract: The Department of
Education is submitting for approval the
Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee Report,
ED Form 4–619. This request is for an
extension of a currently approved
collection. The information collected on
the Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee
Report will be used to document
Federal Consolidation loans held by
lenders who are responsible for sending
interest payment rebate fees to the
Secretary of Education.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: May 25, 2023.
Kun Mullan,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and
Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division,
Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of
Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2023–11595 Filed 5–31–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35858-35863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11641]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Gaining Early Awareness and
Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (State Grants)
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR
UP) State Grants, Assistance Listing Number 84.334S. This notice
relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number
1840-0821, Application for GEAR UP State Grants.
DATES:
Applications Available: June 1, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 31, 2023.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 30, 2023.
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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554. Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Witthoefft, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5C118, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: 202-453-7576. Email: [email protected].
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The GEAR UP program is a discretionary grant
program that encourages eligible entities to provide support, and
maintain a commitment to, eligible students from low-income
backgrounds, including students with disabilities, to assist the
students in obtaining a secondary school diploma (or its recognized
equivalent) and to prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education.
Under the GEAR UP program, the Department awards grants to two types of
entities: (1) States and (2) eligible partnerships.
Background: In this notice, the Department invites applications for
State grants only. Required services under the GEAR UP program are
specified in section 404D(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1070a-24(a)), and permissible services under
the GEAR UP program are specified in section 404D(b) and (c) of the HEA
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-24(b) and (c)). Grantee activities must include
providing financial aid information for postsecondary education,
encouraging enrollment in rigorous and challenging coursework in order
to reduce the need for remediation at the postsecondary level,
implementing activities to improve the number of participating students
who obtain a secondary school diploma and who complete applications for
and enroll in a program of postsecondary education, and providing
scholarships as specified in section 404E of the HEA. Additional
permissible activities for State grantees are specified in sections
404D(b) and (c) of the HEA.
Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference
priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii) and (iv),
Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from section 404A(b)(3) of the HEA
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-21(b)(3)) and the GEAR UP program regulations (34 CFR
694.19). Competitive Preference Priority 2 is from the Secretary's
Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant
Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR
70612) (Supplemental Priorities).
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2023 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 up to an additional
10 points to an application, depending on how well the application
meets the priorities.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Successful State GEAR UP grant
prior to August 14, 2008 (Up to 2 points).
We give priority to an eligible applicant for a State GEAR UP grant
that has (a) carried out a successful State GEAR UP grant prior to
August 14, 2008, determined on the basis of data (including outcome
data) submitted by the applicant as part of its annual and final
performance reports, and the applicant's history of compliance with
applicable statutory and regulatory requirements; and (b) a prior
demonstrated commitment to early intervention leading to college access
through collaboration and replication of successful strategies.
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Increasing Postsecondary
Education Access, Affordability, Completion, and Post-Enrollment
Success (Up to 8 points).
Projects that are designed to increase postsecondary access,
affordability, completion, and success for underserved students by
addressing one or more of the following priority areas:
(a) Establishing a system of high-quality data collection and
analysis, such as data on persistence, retention, completion, and post-
college outcomes, for transparency, accountability, and institutional
improvement (up to 4 points); and
(b) Providing secondary school students with access to career
exploration and advising opportunities to help students make informed
decisions about their postsecondary enrollment decisions and to place
them on a career path (up to 4 points).
Definitions: The definitions of ``demonstrates a rationale,''
``logic model,'' ``project component,'' and ``relevant outcome'' are
from 34 CFR 77.1(c). The definition of ``underserved students'' is from
the Supplemental Priorities:
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 a 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.
[[Page 35859]]
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.
Underserved student means a student in postsecondary education in
one or more of the following subgroups:
(a) A student who is living in poverty or is served by schools with
high concentrations of students living in poverty.
(b) A student of color.
(c) An English learner.
(d) A migrant student.
(e) A student without documentation of immigration status.
(f) A student who is the first in their family to attend
postsecondary education.
(g) A student enrolling in or seeking to enroll postsecondary
education for the first time at the age of 20 or older.
(h) A student who is working full-time while enrolled in
postsecondary education.
(i) A student who is enrolled in or is seeking to enroll in
postsecondary education who is eligible for a Pell Grant.
(j) An adult student in need of improving their basic skills or an
adult student with limited English proficiency.
For purposes of the definition of underserved student only--
English learner means an individual who is an English learner as
defined in section 8101(20) of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965, as amended, or an individual who is an English language
learner as defined in section 203(7) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-21--1070a-28.
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the
Federal civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82,
84, 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 regulations for this program in
34 CFR part 694. (e) The Supplemental Priorities.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $20,000,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $3,000,000-$5,000,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $4,000,000.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award for a State grant
exceeding $5,000,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.
Additionally, no funding will be awarded for increases in years 2
through 7.
Estimated Number of Awards: 5.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Either 72 months or 84 months.
Note: An applicant that wishes to seek funding for a seventh
project year (i.e., for a project period greater than 72 months) in
order to provide project services to GEAR UP students through their
first year of attendance at an institution of higher education (IHE)
must propose to do so in its application.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: States (as defined in section 103(20) of
the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1003(20)), which includes the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the United States
Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and
the Freely Associated States. Per congressional direction in House
Report 117-403 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328), only States without an active
State GEAR UP grant, or States that have an active State GEAR UP grant
that is scheduled to end prior to October 1, 2023, are eligible to
receive a new State GEAR UP award in this competition. States with
grants remaining open beyond October 1, 2023, for a no-cost extension
period or for the sole purpose of data collection and analysis
activities are not considered active for purposes of implementing this
directive.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Section 404C(b)(1) of the HEA
requires grantees under this program to provide from State, local,
institutional, or private funds, not less than 50 percent of the cost
of the program (or one dollar of non-Federal funds for every one dollar
of Federal funds awarded), which may be provided in cash or in-kind.
The provision also specifies that the match may be accrued over the
full duration of the grant award period, except that the grantee must
make substantial progress toward meeting the matching requirement in
each year of the grant award period.
Section 404C(c) of the HEA provides that in-kind contributions may
include (1) the amount of the financial assistance obligated under GEAR
UP to students from State, local, institutional, or private funds, (2)
the amount of tuition, fees, room or board waived or reduced for
recipients of financial assistance under GEAR UP, (3) the amount
expended on documented, targeted, long-term mentoring and counseling
provided by volunteers or paid staff of non-school organizations,
including businesses, religious organizations, community groups,
postsecondary educational institutions, nonprofit and philanthropic
organizations, and other organizations, and (4) equipment and supplies,
cash contributions from non-Federal sources, transportation expenses,
in-kind or discounted program services, indirect costs, and facility
usage.
Grantees must include a budget detailing the source of the matching
funds and must provide an outline of the types of matching
contributions for at least the first year of the grant in their grant
applications. Consistent with 2 CFR 200.306(b), any matching funds must
be an allowable use of funds consistent with the GEAR UP program
requirements and the cost principles detailed in subpart E of 2 CFR
part 200, and not included as a contribution for any other Federal
award.
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This competition involves supplement,
not supplant funding requirements. Under section 404B(e) of the HEA (20
U.S.C. 1070a-22(e)), grant funds awarded under this program must be
used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, and local
funds that would otherwise be expended to carry out activities assisted
under this program.
c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: For entities eligible to apply
to this competition, the program regulations at 34 CFR 694.11 limit
indirect cost
[[Page 35860]]
reimbursement to the rate determined in the entity's negotiated
indirect cost rate agreement, or 8 percent of a modified total direct
cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information regarding
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please
see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
d. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
3. Other: General Application Requirements: All applicants must
meet the following application requirements in order to be considered
for funding. The application requirements are from sections 404C(a) and
404E of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1070a-23(a); 20 U.S.C. 1070a-25).
In order for an eligible entity to qualify for a grant under the
GEAR UP program, the eligible entity must submit to the Secretary an
application for carrying out a GEAR UP program that--
(a) Describes the activities for which assistance under this
program is sought, including how the eligible entity will carry out the
required activities described in section 404D(a) of the HEA;
(b) Describes, in the case of an eligible entity described in
section 404A(c)(1) of the HEA, how the eligible entity will meet the
requirements of section 404E of the HEA;
(c) Provides assurances that adequate administrative and support
staff will be responsible for coordinating the activities described in
section 404D of the HEA;
(d) Provides assurances that activities assisted under this program
will not displace an employee or eliminate a position at a school
assisted under this program, including a partial displacement such as a
reduction in hours, wages, or employment benefits;
(e) Describes, in the case of an eligible entity described in
section 404A(c)(1) of the HEA that chooses to use a cohort approach,
how the eligible entity will define the cohorts of the students served
by the eligible entity pursuant to section 404B(d) of the HEA, and how
the eligible entity will serve the cohorts through grade 12,
including--
(i) How vacancies in the program under this program will be filled;
and
(ii) How the eligible entity will serve students attending
different secondary schools;
(f) Describes how the eligible entity will coordinate programs
under this program with other existing Federal, State, or local
programs to avoid duplication and maximize the number of students
served;
(g) Provides such additional assurances as the Secretary determines
necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of this program;
(h) Provides information about the activities that will be carried
out by the eligible entity to support systemic changes from which
future cohorts of students will benefit;
(i) Describes the sources of matching funds that will enable the
eligible entity to meet the matching requirement described in section
404C(b); and
(j) Demonstrates, in the case of an eligible entity that is
requesting to use more than 50 percent of grant funds on GEAR UP early
intervention activities and less than 50 percent of grant funds on
scholarships, that the eligible entity has another means or multiple
means of providing scholarships that meet the minimum Pell Grant
requirements under 20 U.S.C. 1070a-25(d) to students eligible for a
GEAR UP scholarship as defined under 20 U.S.C. 1070a-25(g). States
requesting an exception from the requirement that they spend at least
50 percent of their grant dollars on scholarships must provide
documentation of those other means of providing scholarships to the
students eligible for a GEAR UP scholarship as defined under 20 U.S.C.
1070a-25(g) in their application, such as a comprehensive list of other
sources of aid that reduce or eliminate the need for the grantee to
provide GEAR UP scholarships to eligible students out of their federal
funding; the projected number of students that the grantee expects to
receive aid through those sources (e.g. based on past cohorts, if
applicable); and an estimate of the number of students eligible for a
GEAR UP scholarship that are not expected to receive aid through those
other sources, if any.
4. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this
competition may award subgrants to the following types of entities:
Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), State Educational Agencies (SEAs),
IHEs, and nonprofit organizations. The grantee may only award subgrants
to entities it has identified in an approved application. Under 34 CFR
75.708(d), grantees must ensure that (1) subgrants are awarded on the
basis of an approved budget that is consistent with the grantee's
approved application and all applicable Federal statutory, regulatory,
and other requirements; (2) every subgrant includes any conditions
required by Federal statute and executive orders and their implementing
regulations; and (3) subgrantees are aware of requirements imposed upon
them by Federal statute and regulation, including the Federal anti-
discrimination laws enforced by the Department.
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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554, which contain requirements and
information on how to submit an application. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the version published on December 27,
2021.
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. Please note that,
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we have shortened the standard 60-day
intergovernmental review period in order to make awards by the end of
FY 2023.
3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in subpart E
of 2 CFR part 200. We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
Under HEA section 404E(b)(1) (20 U.S.C. 1070a-25(b)(1)), a State
must use not less than 25 percent and not more than 50 percent of the
grant funds for GEAR UP project activities described in HEA section
404D,\1\ with the remainder of grant funds spent on scholarships to
eligible GEAR UP students described in HEA section 404E. However, HEA
section 404E(b)(2) (20 U.S.C. 1070a-25(b)(2)) permits the Secretary to
allow a State to use more than 50 percent of grant funds received under
this program for GEAR UP project activities described in HEA section
404D if the State demonstrates that it has another means of providing
the students eligible for a GEAR UP scholarship as defined under 20
U.S.C. 1070a-25(g) with the financial assistance described in HEA
section 404E and describes such means in the State's application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excluding the provision of funds for postsecondary
scholarships required by HEA section 404D(a)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 35861]]
4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative 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 65 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, excluding titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, captions as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12-point font or larger or 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 the cover sheet; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications or the one-page abstract. However, the
recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
We recommend that any application addressing the competitive
preference priorities include no more than three additional pages for
each priority addressed.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210.
(a)Need for project. (up to 15 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary
considers:
(i) The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the
proposed project (up to 5 points);
(ii) The extent to which the proposed project will provide services
or otherwise address the needs of students at risk of educational
failure (up to 5 points); and
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project will focus on
serving or otherwise addressing the needs of disadvantaged individuals
(up to 5 points).
(b) Quality of the project design. (up to 30 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the
proposed project.
(2) 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 8 points);
(ii) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a
rationale (as defined in this notice) (up to 7 points);
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project represents an
exceptional approach for meeting statutory purposes and requirements;
(up to 8 points); and
(iv) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of
services, or others, as appropriate (up to 7 points).
(c) Adequacy of resources. (up to 15 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers:
(i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization and the relevance and demonstrated
commitment of each partner in the proposed project to the
implementation and success of the project (up to 5 points);
(ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and
benefits (up to 5 points); and
(iii) The potential for continued support of the project after
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated
commitment of appropriate entities to such support (up to 5 points).
(d) Quality of project personnel. (up to 20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will
carry out the proposed project.
(2) 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 (up to 5 points).
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers:
(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator (up to 5 points);
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of key project personnel (up to 5 points); and
(iii) 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).
(e) Quality of the project evaluation. (up to 20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the project evaluation, the
Secretary considers:
(i) 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 10 points); and
(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcome (up to 10 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).
For this competition, a panel of non-Federal reviewers will review
each application in accordance with the selection criteria in 34 CFR
75.217(d)(3), as required by 20 U.S.C. 1070-a23(d). The individual
scores of the reviewers will be added and the sum divided by the number
of reviewers to determine the peer review score received in the review
process.
If there are insufficient funds for all applications with the same
total scores, the Secretary will, to the extent practicable, consider
the distribution of grant awards based on the geographic distribution
of such grant awards and the distribution between urban and
[[Page 35862]]
rural applicants for the GEAR UP program consistent with 20 U.S.C.
1070a-22(a)(3). The first tiebreaker criterion will be to select for
funding the tied applicant(s) representing the State(s) that has gone
longest since being funded under the GEAR UP State program. If still
tied, the second tiebreaker will be to fund--from the States still tied
after implementing the first tiebreaker--the applicant from the State
with the smallest amount of GEAR UP Partnership grant funding, per low-
income student. If still tied, the third tiebreaker will be to fund the
States with the highest percentage of individuals living in poverty.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR
3474.10, 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 200.206(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.
5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting
applications in accordance with--
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR
200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
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 will 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. 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 or subgrantee 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 performance measures for the GEAR UP
Program are established for Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110.
The objectives of the GEAR UP program are (1) to increase the academic
performance and preparation for postsecondary education of
participating students; (2) to increase the rate of high school
graduation and participation in postsecondary education of
participating students; and (3) to increase education expectations for
participating students and increase student and family knowledge of
postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.
The effectiveness of this program depends on the rate at which
program participants complete high school and enroll in and complete a
postsecondary education. We developed the following performance
measures to track progress toward achieving the program's goals:
[[Page 35863]]
1. The percentage of GEAR UP students who pass Algebra 1 or its
equivalent by the end of ninth grade.
2. The percentage of GEAR UP students who graduate from high
school.
3. The percentage of GEAR UP students who complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid.
4. The percentage of GEAR UP students and former GEAR UP students
who are enrolled at an IHE.
In addition, to assess the efficiency of the program, we track the
average cost, in Federal funds, of achieving a successful outcome,
where success is defined as enrollment in a program of undergraduate
instruction at an IHE of GEAR UP students immediately after high school
graduation. These performance measures constitute GEAR UP's indicators
of the success of the program. Accordingly, we require that applicants
include these performance measures in conceptualizing the design,
implementation, and evaluation of their proposed projects.
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, whether
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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: On request to the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
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 search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Nasser H. Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2023-11641 Filed 5-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P