Department of Education August 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP).

Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 and the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Amendments of 1990 (Privacy Act) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, notice is hereby given of the re-establishment of a matching program between the U.S. Department of Education (Department), as the recipient agency, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHS-USCIS), as the source agency, to verify the immigration status of noncitizen applicants for, or recipients of, financial assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).

The Chief Operating Officer for Federal Student Aid announces the interest rates for Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Subsidized Loans), Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Unsubsidized Loans), and Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Direct PLUS Loan), Assistance Listing Number 84.268, with first disbursement dates before July 1, 2006, and for Federal Direct Consolidation Loans (Direct Consolidation Loans) for which the application was received before February 1, 1999. The rates announced in this notice are in effect for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

The Chief Operating Officer for Federal Student Aid announces the interest rates for loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.032, that have variable interest rates. The rates announced in this notice are in effect for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) amends the regulations that govern the National Resource Centers (NRC) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.015A, and the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.015B. These regulations clarify interpretations of statutory language, redesign the selection criteria, and make necessary updates based upon program management experience. These regulations remove ambiguity and redundancy in the selection criteria and definitions of key terms, improve the application process, and align the administration of these programs with developments in modern foreign language and area studies education.

This notice sets forth the agenda for the fall 2024 meeting of the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Board) and provides information to members of the public about how to attend the meeting, request to make oral comments at the meeting, and submit written comments pertaining to the work of the Board.

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).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy Act), the U.S. Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice of a new system of records titled "Integrated Workplace Management System (IWMS)" (18-03-08). The system will assist the Office of Finance and Operations, Office of Security, Facilities and Logistics (OSFL) in managing the Department's office space, including moving, and tracking the movement of, Government-furnished equipment and assigning Department personnel to designated office spaces; managing the Department's real estate portfolio; managing facility- related projects; and administering processes for reserving flexible workspaces, conference rooms, and other bookable resources, such as lockers and parking spaces.

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for the Special Education Dissertation Research Fellowship Program.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) requests information in the form of written comments that include feedback on ways to improve the "help text" of the 2025-2026 FAFSA form, as well as for the development of supporting materials including student and contributor tip sheets, counselor guides, or other direct communication tools to ensure applicants and contributors can successfully complete and submit the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA[supreg]) form. The Department also seeks feedback from financial aid administrators, counselors, and other members of the public on ways the Department can provide additional support to ensure applicants and contributors complete the FAFSA, and institutions of higher education and State grant agencies have support for the processing and packaging of student aid. Based on the suggestions submitted in response to this notice, the Secretary will consider changes to the 2025-2026 FAFSA supporting materials and develop a new Better FAFSA Better Future Roadmap (the Roadmap) that will outline the new tools the Department is making available, such as additional trainings, webinars, counselor guides, and student and contributor tip sheets.

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).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a new information collection request (ICR).

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable one project under ALN number 84.407C to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2025.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

The National Assessment Governing Board (Governing Board) published a document in the Federal Register on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, announcing the schedule and proposed agenda of the August 8-9, 2024 quarterly meeting of the Governing Board. The meeting agenda has been revised to reflect the below changes to the Thursday sessions of the Governing Board meeting.

The Department of Education (Department) issues a priority and definition for use in the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program. The Department may use the priority and definition for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. This priority and definition will support projects for organizations that work directly with gang-involved youth to help such youth pursue higher education opportunities that will lead to postsecondary certification or credentials.