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###### Department of Education

          - [Docket No.: ED-2022-SCC-0049]

# AGENCY:

Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED).

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a revision of a currently approved collection.

# DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 13, 2022.

# ADDRESSES:

                        To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use                         *http://www.regulations.gov*                         by searching the Docket ID number ED-2022-SCC-0049. Comments submitted                               ( print page 21645)                            in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at                         *http://www.regulations.gov*                         by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. If the regulations.gov site is not available to the public for any reason, ED will temporarily accept comments at                         *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.*                         Please include the docket ID number and the title of the information collection request when requesting documents or submitting comments.                         *Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted.*                         Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the PRA Coordinator of the Strategic Collections and Clearance Governance and Strategy Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W208C Washington, DC 20202-8240.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Beth Grebeldinger, (202) 377-4018.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. 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 the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

*Title of Collection:*                     Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Aid Programs.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     1845-0012.                

*Type of Review:*                     Revision of a currently approved collection.                

*Respondents/Affected Public:*                     State, Local, and Tribal Governments; Private Sector.                

*Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses:*                     7,286.                

*Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours:*                     24,812.                

*Abstract:*                     Section 487(c) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended, requires that the Secretary of Education prescribe regulations to ensure that any funds postsecondary institutions receive under the HEA are used solely for the purposes specified in and in accordance with the provision of the applicable programs. The concept of this federal gatekeeping has a long history, originating in 1952. Part H, Subpart 3, Section 498 of the HEA of 1965, as amended, gives the Secretary the responsibility for determining qualifications of institutions of higher education to participate in programs under the HEA. To comply with this requirement Section 498(b) of the HEA specified that the Secretary prepare and prescribe a single application form. The Department of Education (the Department) developed the Application for Approval to Participate in the Federal Student Financial Aid Programs to comply with the statutory requirements of collecting necessary information under the HEA. An institution must use this Application to apply for approval to be determined to be eligible and if the institution wishes, to participate; to expand its eligibility; or to continue to participate in the Title IV programs. An institution must also use the Application to report certain required data as part of its recordkeeping requirements contained in the regulations under 34 CFR part 600 (Institutional Eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended). The Department uses the information reported on the Application in its determination of whether an institution meets the statutory and regulatory requirements. This request is for a revision of the current information collection. The Department is transitioning the current Application to an electronic webform housed within the FSA Partner Connect system (                    *fsapartners.ed.gov*).                

Dated: April 7, 2022.

Juliana Pearson,

PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.

[FR Doc. 2022-07812 Filed 4-11-22; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000-01-P