Department of Education September 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

For the 36-month grant projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 2011, using FY 2010 funds, under the Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC) program, the Secretary hereby waives the restriction against project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds, and extends the project period of the four LINCS RPDC grants for an additional 12 months. This enables the four current LINCS RPDC grantees that received awards under the FY 2011 competition that were extended for one additional year through FY 2014 using 2013 funds (through September 30, 2015), to seek another continuation award for one additional year through FY 2015 with FY 2014 funds (through September 30, 2016); and we will not announce a new LINCS RPDC competition for FY 2015.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing a new information collection.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy Act), the Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice of an altered system of records entitled ``Data Challenges and Appeals Solutions (DCAS) System,'' which will replace the ``Electronic Cohort Default Rate Appeals (eCDR Appeals)'' system of records. On October 31, 2014, the Secretary published final regulations in the Federal Register that apply to educational programs that are eligible to participate in the student financial assistance programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), because these programs ``prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation'' (GE regulations). The GE regulations establish a new program eligibility measure and disclosure requirements. As a result, Federal Student Aid (FSA) will be responsible for many more data challenges, requests for adjustments, and appeals in the coming years. The DCAS System is the enhanced successor system to the eCDR Appeals system and will be implemented in phases to include all appeals, requests for adjustments and challenges related to institutional cohort default rates (CDRs), the GE regulations, and other student-level data initiatives. After FSA fully implements all phases of the DCAS System, FSA will retire the prior information technology system that housed the eCDR Appeals data. In addition to the records described above, the DCAS System will contain records regarding borrowers who have applied for and received loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. The Department seeks comment on the altered system of records described in this notice, in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing an extension of an existing information collection.

In accordance with section 427A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, the Chief Operating Officer for Federal Student Aid announces the interest rates for the period July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016, for certain loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program prior to July 1, 2010. The Chief Operating Officer takes this action to give notice of FFEL Program loan interest rates to the public.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing a revision of an existing information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing a revision of an existing information collection.

This notice sets forth the schedule of an upcoming public meeting conducted by the National Advisory Council on Indian Education NACIE). Notice of the meeting is required by section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and intended to notify the public of its opportunity to attend.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is seeking comments on the renewal of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the collection of information for the Tribal Education Department Grant Program, authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0185. The information collection will expire November 30, 2015.