[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 25 (Monday, February 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6062-6063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2917]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs--Distance Education 
Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of regional meetings to provide advice and technical 
assistance to institutions of higher education (institutions), systems 
of institutions, and consortia of institutions that are (1) interested 
in applying to participate in the Distance Education Demonstration 
Program authorized under section 486 of title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, as amended, or (2) interested in providing 
Federal financial aid to students enrolled in distance education 
programs.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education (Secretary) will conduct three 
regional meetings in the District of Columbia, San Francisco, and 
Denver to provide advice and technical assistance to potential 
applicants of the Distance Education Demonstration Program and to other 
institutions interested in providing Federal financial aid to students 
enrolled in distance education programs.

DATES: The regional meetings will be held on February 11, 1999 in the 
District of Columbia, February 17, 1999 in San Francisco, California, 
and February 19, 1999 in Denver, Colorado.

ADDRESSES: Marianne R. Phelps, U.S. Department of Education, 400 
Maryland Avenue, SW (ROB-3, Room 4082), Washington, DC 20202-5257. 
Telephone: (202) 708-5547.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marianne R. Phelps at (202) 708-5547 
or E-Mail to DistanceD[email protected]. Information regarding the program can 
also be found on the Web site of the Department of Education (http://
www.ed.gov). If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
you may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding 
paragraph.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On October 7, 1998, President Clinton signed into law Pub. L. 105-
244, the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, amending the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (HEA). This legislation established the Distance 
Education Demonstration Program. Under this program, up to a total of 
15 institutions, systems of institutions, or consortia of institutions 
may offer Title IV, HEA financial assistance to students enrolled in 
distance education programs without being subject to certain statutory 
and regulatory provisions, which the Secretary may waive, upon their 
request. As described in section 486(a) of the HEA, the purpose of the 
program is to--
    (1) Allow demonstration programs that are strictly monitored by the 
Department of Education to test the quality and viability of expanded 
distance education programs currently restricted under this Act;
    (2) Provide for increased student access to higher education 
through distance education programs; and
    (3) Help determine the--
    (A) Most effective means of delivering quality education via 
distance education course offerings;

[[Page 6063]]

    (B) Specific statutory and regulatory requirements which should be 
altered to provide greater access to high quality distance education 
programs; and
    (C) Appropriate level of federal assistance for students enrolled 
in distance education programs.
    The Secretary anticipates publishing a notice inviting applications 
for participation in the Distance Education Demonstration Program in 
the Federal Register during the first week of February, 1999. This 
notice will specify the eligibility requirements for participation in 
the Distance Education Demonstration Program, the statutory and 
regulatory provisions that may be waived, the application requirements, 
and the criteria that will be used to select participants.

Regional Hearings

    Interested parties are invited to attend three regional meetings 
that will provide advice and technical assistance about applying to 
participate in the Distance Education Demonstration Program and 
providing Federal financial aid to students enrolled in distance 
education programs. The regional meetings will begin with a brief 
description of eligibility requirements for the Distance Education 
Demonstration Program and the application and selection processes for 
this program. Then, individuals will be provided an opportunity to ask 
questions regarding the application process and other matters relating 
to the Distance Education Demonstration Program. Department of 
Education staff with expertise on various issues relating to the 
Distance Education Demonstration Program will be available to answer 
these questions.
    Questions regarding eligibility and administration of Title IV, HEA 
student financial assistance programs may be relevant to institutions' 
interest in applying for the Distance Education Demonstration Program. 
Accordingly, during the course of the meeting, Department staff will 
also address questions that relate generally to the administration of 
aid in distance education programs.
    The Department of Education has reserved a limited number of hotel 
rooms at each of the following hotels at a special government per diem 
room rate. To reserve these rates, be certain to inform the hotel that 
you are attending the regional hearings with the Department of 
Education.
    The hearing sites are accessible to individuals with disabilities. 
The Department will provide a sign language interpreter at each of the 
scheduled hearings. An individual with a disability who will need an 
auxiliary aid or service other than an interpreter to participate in 
the meeting (e.g., assistive listening device, or materials in an 
alternative format) should notify the contact person listed in this 
notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date. Although 
the Department will attempt to meet a request received after that date, 
the requested auxiliary aid or service may not be available because of 
insufficient time to arrange it. Dates, Times, and Locations of 
Regional Hearings.
    1. February 11, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 
Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Call (202) 842-1300 for hotel 
reservations. Sleeping room rate: $115 plus taxes. Reservations must be 
made by January 28th.
    2. February 17, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Holiday Inn Golden 
Gateway, 1500 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California 94109. Call 1-
800-Holiday or (415) 441-4000 for hotel reservations. Sleeping room 
rates: $129 plus taxes. Reservations must be made by February 3rd.
    3. February 19, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Adams Marc Hotel, 1550 
Court Place, Denver, Colorado 80202. Call 1-303-893-3333 for hotel 
reservations. Sleeping room rate: $80 plus taxes. Reservations must be 
made by February 5th.

Electronic Access to This Document

    Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in Text or 
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the 
following sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg/htm
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg/html

    To use the pdf, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with 
Search, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you 
have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing 
Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498.

    Authority: Sec. 488 of Pub. L. 105-244, enacted October 7, 1998.

    Dated: February 2, 1999.
David A. Longanecker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 99-2917 Filed 2-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-M