E8-11351. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests

AGENCY:

Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests.

SUMMARY:

The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

An emergency review has been requested in accordance with the Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 3507 (j)), since public harm is reasonably likely to result if normal clearance procedures are followed. Approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been requested by June 12, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments regarding the emergency review should be addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Bridget Dooling, Desk Officer, Department of Education, Office of Management and Budget; 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10222, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or faxed to [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Director of OMB provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes this notice containing proposed information collection requests at the beginning of the Departmental review of the information collection. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g., new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. ED invites public comment.

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 respondents, including through the use of information technology.

Dated: May 15, 2008.

Angela C. Arrington,

IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management.

Federal Student Aid

Type of Review: New.

Title: Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Eligibility Regulations.

Abstract: Eligible and participating institutions of higher education who participate in the TEACH Grant program, operate the program consistent with these regulations. Information is necessary to make determinations regarding compliance with the implementing regulations. This request is for approval of reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in the attached proposed regulations related to the TEACH Grant administrative requirements for the Title IV, HEA programs. The information collection requirements in these proposed regulations are necessary to determine eligibility to receive program benefits and to prevent fraud and abuse of program funds.

Additional Information: The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) requests that OMB grant an emergency clearance of the proposed regulations governing the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program. Sections 420L through 420O of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (the HEA) provides for TEACH Grants to eligible students at eligible and participating institutions of higher education. The TEACH Grant Program was established under the HEA by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (the CCRAA). In accordance with section 420O of the CCRAA, the effective date for the TEACH Grant Program is July 1, 2008. The Department is requesting an emergency clearance of these TEACH Grant regulations because the regular clearance process would not enable us to make an OMB-approved TEACH Grant available to participants by the statutory effective date for the TEACH Grant Program. The Department requests emergency clearance of the proposed regulations by June 12, 2008, in order to obtain an OMB Control Number to be used in the TEACH Grant Final Regulations which are being prepared for submission.

Frequency: On Occasion; Annually.

Affected Public: Individuals or household; Businesses or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: 2,276,504.

Burden Hours: 468,267.

Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov,, by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 3615. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202-4537. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address [e-mail] or faxed to 202-401-0920. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to [e-mail]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.