Approved as
amended by ED's memoranda to OMB of 1/29/96, 2/22/96, and 2/26/96.
In addition, ED has agreed to meet the following conditions: --
This emergency clearance is approved through April 18, 1996,
pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.13. ED will publish a request for comment
under the standard PRA review procedures immediately. -- ED will
provide a plan for reviewing all schools by the HEA review deadline
of 7/97, and for targeting resources on at-risk schools, no later
than the request for standard PRA clearance. ED will provide OMB
with semi-annual updates on progress. -- ED will transition to a
fully electronic application system as rapidly as possible. This
includes allowing schools to submit by disk-only immediately;
allowing internet transmission, scanned documents, and transmission
of electronic signatures no later than clearance of the standard
PRA package (unless ED provides compelling evidence why this cannot
be done); electronic transfer of the data directly into ED's PEPS
system as soon as possible; and pre-printing of as much information
as possible for the next round of recertification applications to
reduce burden. -- ED shall review, as soon as possible and in time
to allow for potential final rulemaking by 12/1/96, rules that
currently require institutional eligibility to lapse upon change of
ownership while at the same time not permitting reapplication until
after the ownership has changed. This regulatory scheme
necessitates a lapse in eligibility for all changes in ownership,
even those made for legitimate business reasons. -- ED shall
reconsider the merits of collecting sub-degree program information
from degree-granting institutions, and either remove these
questions for such schools or demonstrate that a sufficient problem
exists to merit continued collection. OMB will reexamine this issue
in reviewing the standard PRA package. -- ED will monitor responses
to Q. 11 to determine whether the name and address of the CFO need
be retained, and recommed whether to continue this question in its
standrad PRA submission. -- ED will monitor responses to Q. 17 to
determine whether the wording could be clarified in the standard
package. -- ED will examine whether, given Q. 37, a separate
application continues to be needed for the Direct Loan program with
regard to new schools and schools that apply for recertification.
Unless ED provides sufficient justification for why a Direct Loan
form must be completed by these applicants, OMB will not reapprove
that form (OMB #1840-0664) for schools that complete this
recertification application.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/1996
04/30/1996
02/28/1996
2,219
0
12,440
36,073
0
197,005
0
0
0
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended, requires postsecondary institutions to complete and submit
this application as a condition of eligibility for any of the title
IV student financial assistance programs and for the other
postsecondary programs authorized by the HEA. An institution must
submit the form (1) initially when it first seeks to become
eligible for the title IV programs, (2) every 4 years after initial
certification ("recertification"), (3) when it changes ownership,
merges, or changes from a "profit" to a "nonprofit" institution,
and (4) to be reinstated to....
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Financial Aid Programs