2012-25700. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests; Office of Postsecondary Education; Annual Performance Report for the Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduate Programs

SUMMARY:

The GEAR UP annual performance report asks for information specific to the budget year for which the report is being submitted. The final performance report asks for information specific to the last budget year of the grant, and also requires the grantee to update the enrollment and graduation data of all students who have participated in a GEAR UP program at any time during the project period.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov by selecting Docket ID number ED-2012-OPE-0036 or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Director of the Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room 2E117, Washington, DC 20202-4537.

Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that Federal agencies provide interested parties an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management, publishes this notice containing proposed information collection requests at the beginning of the Departmental review of the information collection. The Department of Education 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: Annual Performance Report for the Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduate Programs.

OMB Control Number: 1840-0777.

Type of Review: Revision.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 225.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,475.

Abstract: The Annual Performance Report for Partnership and State Projects for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a required report that grant recipients must submit annually. The purpose of this information collection is for accountability. The data is used to report on progress in meeting the performance objectives of GEAR UP, program implementation, and student outcomes. The data collected includes budget data on Federal funds and match contributions, demographic data, and data regarding services provided to students.

Dated: October 15, 2012.

Kate Mullan,

Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management.