EDICS Tracking and OMB Number: 1840-0806 Revised: 5/11/2017
RIN Number: XXXX-XXXX (if applicable)
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION
Application for Grants under the Master’s Degree Program at Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program
(CFDA No.: 84.382G)
Justification
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a hard copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information, or you may provide a valid URL link or paste the applicable section1. 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, make note of the sections or changed sections, if applicable.
The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), reauthorized in 2008, established a new master’s degree program to advance educational opportunities for African Americans under Title VII, Part 4, Subpart 4, Section 723. Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31), $7,500,000 is available in discretionary funding for this program.. The Historically Black Colleges and Universities master’s degree (HBCU-M) program authorizes the Department of Education (the Department) to award grants to specified institutions that the Department determines are making a substantial contribution to graduate education opportunities for African Americans at the master’s level in mathematics, engineering, the physical or natural sciences, computer science, information technology, nursing, allied health or other scientific disciplines. This program provides grants for up to six years to establish or strengthen qualified master’s degree programs in these fields at eligible institutions. Grants may be used for a variety of purposes including fellowships and other financial assistance for needy students, capacity building, faculty professional development, tutoring, counseling, and other support services designed to improve academic success. This information collection is necessary to comply with the program statute and make grant awards under the authority of Title VII, Subpart 4 of the HEA.
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.
In accordance with the funds appropriated for FY 2017, the Department will use the data collected in the HBCU-M application for new grants to evaluate the projects submitted by the specified institutions of higher education and to determine allowable multi-year project expenses based on statutory requirements. Formula data elements contained in the program legislation will also be collected each year should the annual appropriation for this program exceed $9,000,000. The HEA requires that any amount appropriated for this program during any fiscal year in excess of $9,000,000 or any lesser amount appropriated shall be made available to the respondent institutions named in Section 723(b)(1) of the HEA through the use of a formula developed by the Department.
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. Also describe any consideration given to using technology to reduce burden.
The Office of Postsecondary Education is committed to the reduction of paperwork. In FY 2017, applicants will be required to submit their applications electronically as an email attachment.
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 authorizing legislation, no duplication exists.
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.
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.
Federal program and policy activities could not be carried out if the information requested in this package is not collected. Collection of the data is necessary in order to meet statutory requirements and make grant awards under this program.
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 which 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 included in this information collection.
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. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.
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.
Department 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). Consultations with the HBCU-M community will be conducted annually to solicit feedback on certain application requirements specified in the statute.
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.
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.2 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 confidentially of the data.
There are no assurances of confidentiality.
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.
Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:
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, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated, including identification of burden type: recordkeeping, reporting or third party disclosure. All narrative should be included in item 12. 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 the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.
If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in the ROCIS IC Burden Analysis Table. (The table should at minimum include Respondent types, IC activity, Respondent and Responses, Hours/Response, and Total Hours)
Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. 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.
The estimated total reporting burden hours for this data collection is 306 hours. This includes an estimated total of 18 respondents, each with an estimated response time of 17 hours.
Estimated Individual Average Annual Burden Hours:
Year 1 60 (application preparation and submission)
Year 2 8 (formula data submission if needed)
Year 3 8 (formula data submission if needed)
Year 4 8 (formula data submission if needed)
Year 5 8 (formula data submission if needed)
Year 6 8 (formula data submission if needed)
_______________________________________________
Total 100 total burden hours per applicant over 6 years
100 hours divided by 6 years = 17 average annual burden hours per applicant.
18 applicants x 17 burden hours = 306
306 total average annual burden hours for all applicants
The average estimated annual costs to respondents are provided below.
Professional Staff (18 respondents x 9 hours x $45 per hour) = $7,290 |
Clerical (18 respondents x 8 hours $22 per hour) = $3,168 |
Total Professional cost: $7,290Total Clerical cost: +$3,168 Total: $10,458 |
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 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.
Total Annualized Capital/Startup Cost :
Total Annual Costs (O&M) :
____________________
Total Annualized Costs Requested :
There are no capital start-up costs to the respondents in this information collection. No operational or maintenance costs beyond usual and customary business practices would apply.
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.
Estimated annual cost to the Federal Government
|
|
Development and Approval Process (1 staff x 25 hours x $62 per hour) |
$1,550 |
Printing Formula Worksheets (18 Worksheets (3 pages) x $1 (per page)) |
$54 |
Monitoring of Grants (300 hours x 1 staff x $62 per hour) |
$18,600 |
World Wide Web Preparation for Posting (4 hours x 1 staff x $62 per hour) |
$248 |
Staff time to review and approve funding recommendation (50 hours x 1 staff x $62 per hour) |
$3,100 |
Staff time to generate, approve, and issue grant awards (50 hours x 1 staff x $62 per hour) |
$3,100 |
Processing Applications 50 hours per award x 18 awards = 900/1 staff person= 900 hours 1 staff x $62 per hour x 900 hours= $55,800 |
$55,800 |
Total estimated cost to the Federal Government |
$82,452 |
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).
The HBCU master’s degree grant application package is a reinstatement of a previously approved collection. Therefore, all burden is new.
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 Department has no plans to publish any information from this collection.
If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
The expiration date for OMB approval will be displayed.
Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the Certification of Paperwork Reduction Act.
No exceptions are being requested.
1 Please limit pasted text to no longer than 3 paragraphs.
2 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)
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | Kenneth Smith |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-22 |