Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) I, II and III Data Collection Form

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Federal RegisterSep 27, 2024
89 Fed. Reg. 79281 (Sep. 27, 2024)
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    Department of Education
  • [Docket No.: ED-2024-SCC-0089]
  • AGENCY:

    Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), Department of Education (ED).

    ACTION:

    Notice.

    SUMMARY:

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

    DATES:

    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before October 28, 2024.

    ADDRESSES:

    Written comments and recommendations for proposed information collection requests should be submitted within 30 days of publication of this notice. Click on this link www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain to access the site. Find this information collection request (ICR) by selecting “Department of Education” under “Currently Under Review,” then check the “Only Show ICR for Public Comment” checkbox. Reginfo.gov provides two links to view documents related to this information collection request. Information collection forms and instructions may be found by clicking on the “View Information Collection (IC) List” link. Supporting statements and other supporting documentation may be found by clicking on the “View Supporting Statement and Other Documents” link.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Gaby Watts, 202-987-0429.

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    The Department 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: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) I, II and III Data Collection Form.

    OMB Control Number: 1840-0850.

    Type of Review: A revision of a currently approved ICR.

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

    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 270.

    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,160.

    Abstract: Under the current unprecedented national health emergency, the legislative and executive branches of government have come together to offer relief to those individuals and industries affected by the COVID-19 virus under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP). In each of these statutes, targeted relief to institutions of higher education (IHEs) was made available under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). HEERF, originally established by section 18004(a) of the CARES Act, Public Law 116-136 (March 27, 2020) and expanded through CRRSAA and ARP, authorizes the Secretary of Education to allocate formula grant funds to participating IHEs to address impacts of the COVID-19 virus.

    This information collection requests approval for a revision to a previously approved collection that includes annual reporting requirements to comply with the requirements of the HEERF program and obtain information on how the funds were used. The revision simplifies the collection by substantially reducing the number of items because specific grant activities within HEERF have expired and many of the items have become moot. In accordance with the Recipients Funding Certification and Agreements executed by HEERF grantees, the Secretary may specify additional forms of reporting.

    Dated: September 24, 2024.

    Kun Mullan,

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

    [FR Doc. 2024-22172 Filed 9-26-24; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P