Emergency Memo

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

March 19, 2021
MEMORANDUM
TO:

Lindsay Abate
Office of Management and Budget Desk Officer

FROM:

Beatriz Ceja
Senior Director, Institutional Service

RE:

Emergency request for Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) approval

Pursuant to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procedures established at 5 CFR
1320, ED requests that the following collection of information, Coronavirus Response and
Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Supplemental Aid to Institutions of
Higher Education (SAIHE) Application, be processed in accordance with section 1320.13
Emergency Processing. ED has determined that this information must be collected prior to
the expiration of time periods established under Part 1320, and that this information is
essential to ED’s ability to effectively implement CRRSAA and address the economic
disruption posed by the Novel (new) Coronavirus (“2019-nCoV”).
Section 314(a)(3) of CRRSAA allocates funds for institutions of higher education that the
Secretary determines have the greatest unmet needs related to the coronavirus. This
collection includes 1) a certification and agreement and 2) a profile form that will be used
by institutions applying for discretionary grant funding under this section.
If this emergency collection is not approved, the Department will be unable to issue these
awards in a timely manner. These awards are particularly needed by IHEs that have
experienced the greatest economic and educational disruptions caused by 2019-nCoV in
order to support their recovery.
Given the short timeframe, ED is unable to consult with the public prior to issuing the
forms. However, ED has ample experience designing other similar forms in a way that is
clear and minimizes burden. We estimate that the application will require 3 hours per
applicant to complete.
The Department is requesting an emergency clearance from OMB by March 23 and will
publish an emergency notice with a 30-day comment period as required by 5 CFR
1320.8(d) to solicit public comments on the regular information collection.
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The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by
fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.