FY_2023_Eligibility_Support_Statement 9.16.22

Tracking and OMB Number: 1840-0103 Revised: 9/16/22

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. What is the purpose for this information collection? Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Include a citation that authorizes the collection of information. Specify the review type of the collection (new, revision, extension, reinstatement with change, reinstatement without change). If revised, briefly specify the changes. If a rulemaking is involved, list the sections with a brief description of the information collection requirement, and/or changes to sections, if applicable.

This collection of information is necessary in order for the Secretary of Education to award grants under Titles III and V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). Applicable statutes and regulations are available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html. The programs authorized by Titles III and V of the HEA include the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNH) Programs, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Native American Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI), Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI), Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM and Articulation (HSI STEM), Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI). These programs award discretionary grants to eligible institutions of higher education so that they might increase their self-sufficiency by improving academic programs, institutional management, and fiscal stability.

Tribally-Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCU) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are exempt from the non-Federal Cost-share match requirement for the Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants Program, TRIO Student Support Services Program, and the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program. TCCUs and HBCUs do not need to apply for eligibility designation.

Institutions of Higher Education currently receiving Titles III and V funds do not need to apply for the eligibility designation unless they intend to apply for a new grant award.

The review type of this collection is an extension.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

This collection of information is gathered electronically by the Department of Education (Department) for the purpose of determining an institution’s eligibility to participate in the Titles III and V programs based on the institution’s high enrollment of needy students and low average educational and general (E&G) expenditures per full-time equivalent student. In lieu of the E&G expenditures, the Department now utilizes the core expenses per full-time equivalent student. This collection also allows an institution to request a waiver of certain non-Federal cost-share requirements under the Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Student Support Services Program and the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision of adopting this means of collection. Please identify systems or websites used to electronically collect this information. Also describe any consideration given to using technology to reduce burden. If there is an increase or decrease in burden related to using technology (e.g. using an electronic form, system or website from paper), please explain in number 12.

The Office of Postsecondary Education is committed to the reduction of paperwork and has been collecting this information electronically since 2000. Electronic submission has reduced the burden for both the applicants and Department staff.

The collection is paired with a computational exercise that results in the simultaneous publication of an Eligibility Matrix, a listing of postsecondary institutions potentially eligible to apply for grants in the Institutional Service grant programs. Criteria derived from applicable legislation and regulations are applied to enrollment and financial data from Department sources to determine the eligibility of each institution for each program. Only those institutions that either do not meet the financial criteria or do not appear in the eligibility matrix need to go through the application process. This has reduced the number of applicants that have to go through the application process substantially: from 1,166 in 2014 to around 200 in 2019.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

Since the information submitted in this application is unique to each respondent and to the authorization legislation, no duplication exists. Branch campuses that meet the criteria outlined in 34 CFR §606.2(b) and 607.2(b) may apply for the designation of eligibility.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden. A small entity may be (1) a small business which is deemed to be one that is independently owned and operated and that is not dominant in its field of operation; (2) a small organization that is any not-for-profit enterprise that is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field; or (3) a small government jurisdiction, which is a government of a city, county, town, township, school district, or special district with a population of less than 50,000.

This collection of information does not involve small businesses or other small entities.

6. Describe the consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Since the data collected from each institution reports annual statistics unique to the applicant and these figures change annually, collection on a less frequent basis would not be beneficial to the applicants or in compliance with the regulations.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results than can be generalized to the universe of study;

• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or that unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no special circumstances as outlined in #7 of the instructions.

8. As applicable, state that the Department has published the 60 and 30 Federal Register notices as required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.

Include a citation for the 60 day comment period (e.g. Vol. 84 FR ##### and the date of publication). Summarize public comments received in response to the 60 day notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden. If only non-substantive comments are provided, please provide a statement to that effect and that it did not relate or warrant any changes to this information collection request. In your comments, please also indicate the number of public comments received.

For the 30 day notice, indicate that a notice will be published. Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instruction and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years – even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

A 30-day Federal Register notice will be published to solicit public comments. Titles III and V staff will respond to any questions or comments resulting from the publication of the information collection in the Federal Register as required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d). Institutional Service (IS) staff has met with national organizations, potential grantees and current grantees to discuss and address their concerns with this specific collection.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees with meaningful justification.

The Department will not provide payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. If personally identifiable information (PII) is being collected, a Privacy Act statement should be included on the instrument. Please provide a citation for the Systems of Record Notice and the date a Privacy Impact Assessment was completed as indicated on the IC Data Form. A confidentiality statement with a legal citation that authorizes the pledge of confidentiality should be provided.¹ If the collection is subject to the Privacy Act, the Privacy Act statement is deemed sufficient with respect to confidentiality. If there is no expectation of confidentiality, simply state that the Department makes no pledge about the confidentiality of the data. If no PII will be collected, state that no assurance of confidentiality is provided to respondents. If the Paperwork Burden Statement is not included physically on a form, you may include it here. Please ensure that your response per respondent matches the estimate provided in number 12.

No assurances of confidentiality are provided to the respondents.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. The justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

Questions of a sensitive nature are not included in this information collection.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden for this current information collection request. The statement should:

• Provide an explanation of how the burden was estimated, including identification of burden type: recordkeeping, reporting or third party disclosure. Address changes in burden due to the use of technology (if applicable). Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

• Please do not include increases in burden and respondents numerically in this table. Explain these changes in number 15.

• Indicate the number of respondents by affected public type (federal government, individuals or households, private sector – businesses or other for-profit, private sector – not-for-profit institutions, farms, state, local or tribal governments), frequency of response, annual hour burden. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable.

• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burden in the table below.

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. Use this site to research the appropriate wage rate. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14. If there is no cost to respondents, indicate by entering 0 in the chart below and/or provide a statement.

Provide a descriptive narrative here in addition to completing the table below with burden hour estimates.

Estimated Annual Burden and Respondent Costs Table

Information Activity or IC (with type of respondent)	Sample Size (if applicable)	Respondent Response Rate (if applicable)	Number of Respondents	Number of Responses	Average Burden Hours per Response	Total Annual Burden Hours	Estimated Respondent Average Hourly Wage	Total Annual Costs (hourly wage x total burden hours)
Public	N/A	N/A	140	140	7	980	$28/hour	$27,440
Private	N/A	N/A	60	60	7	420		$11,760
Annualized Totals	x	x	200	200	x	1,400	x	$39,200

Please ensure the annual total burden, respondents and response match those entered in IC Data Parts 1 and 2, and the response per respondent matches the Paperwork Burden Statement that must be included on all forms.

The Department estimates the following average time for the completion of the application.

Public = 140

Private = + 60

Number of Respondents = 200

Frequency of Response = once annually

Burden per Response = 7 hours

Public = 980

Private = + 420

Annual Hour Burden = 1,400

Public = $ 27,440

Private = +$ 11,760

Annual Cost to Respondents = $ 39,200

*Estimate based on total burden hours (1,400) x $28 estimated hourly wage for professional(s) completing and submitting the collection of information.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14.)

• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and acquiring and maintaining record storage facilities.

• If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

• Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices. Also, these estimates should not include the hourly costs (i.e., the monetization of the hours) captured above in Item 12

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Cost :      

Total Annual Costs (O&M) :      

____________________

Total Annualized Costs Requested :      

No other costs are incurred.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

Develop, review and approve information collection package:

40 hrs. x $55 per hr. $2,200

Screen application, review and analyze data, prepare eligibility letters for applicant to print online:

240 hrs. x $55 per hr. $13,200

Overhead/miscellaneous costs: $15,000

Total cost to Federal government: $30,400

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments. Generally, adjustments in burden result from re-estimating burden and/or from economic phenomenon outside of an agency’s control (e.g., correcting a burden estimate or an organic increase in the size of the reporting universe). Program changes result from a deliberate action that materially changes a collection of information and generally are result of new statute or an agency action (e.g., changing a form, revising regulations, redefining the respondent universe, etc.). Burden changes should be disaggregated by type of change (i.e., adjustment, program change due to new statute, and/or program change due to agency discretion), type of collection (new, revision, extension, reinstatement with change, reinstatement without change) and include totals for changes in burden hours, responses and costs (if applicable).

Provide a descriptive narrative for the reasons of any change in addition to completing the table with the burden hour change(s) here.

	Program Change Due to New Statute	Program Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Agency Estimate
Total Burden
Total Responses
Total Costs (if applicable)

There are no program changes or adjustments.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The Eligibility Matrix is updated with the status of institutions that have applied for eligibility and have been approved. Data collection is expected to open around 7 December 2022 and conclude around 9 January 2023; the Eligibility Matrix data system will publish on 7 December 2022. The process for determining eligibility status will begin on 10 January 2023 and should conclude around 31 January 2023. Notification of eligibility will follow; the Eligibility Matrix will be updated in early March 2023 and the updated version will publish as soon as it has been reviewed.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

There is no request to omit OMB expiration date.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the Certification of Paperwork Reduction Act.

There are no exceptions to the statement identified in the “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

1 Requests for this information are in accordance with the following ED and OMB policies: Privacy Act of 1974, OMB Circular A-108 – Privacy Act Implementation – Guidelines and Responsibilities, OMB Circular A-130 Appendix I – Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals, OMB M-03-22 – OMB Guidance for Implementing the Privacy Provisions of the E-Government Act of 2002, OMB M-06-15 – Safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information, OM:6-104 – Privacy Act of 1974 (Collection, Use and Protection of Personally Identifiable Information)

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