[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 16432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8214]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance; Meeting

AGENCY: Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Education.

ACTION: Notice of upcoming meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of the 
forthcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial 
Assistance. This notice also describes the functions of the Committee. 
Notice of this meeting is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the 
general public.

DATES AND TIMES: Tuesday, April 27, 1999, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and 
ending at approximately 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, April 28, 1999, 
beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 2 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The University of Mississippi, Triplett Alumni Center, the 
Butler Auditorium, Alumni Drive, in Oxford, Mississippi 38677.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Brian K. Fitzgerald, Staff 
Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Portals 
Building, 1280 Maryland Avenue, SW., Suite 601, Washington, DC 20202-
7582 (202) 708-7439.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Committee on Student Financial 
Assistance is established under Section 491 of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 as amended by Public Law 100-50 (20 U.S.C. 1098). The Advisory 
Committee serves as an independent source of advice and counsel to the 
Congress and the Secretary of Education on student financial aid 
policy. Since its inception, the Committee has been charged with 
providing technical expertise with regard to systems of need analysis 
and application forms, making recommendations that result in the 
maintenance of access to postsecondary education for low- and middle-
income students; conducting a study of institutional lending in the 
Stafford Student Loan Program; assisting with activities related to the 
1992 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965; conducting a 
third-year evaluation of the Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP) 
and the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) under the Omnibus 
Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1993; and assisting Congress with 
the 1998 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
    The congressional mandate requires the Advisory Committee to 
conduct objective, nonpartisan, and independent analyses on important 
aspects of the student assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher 
Education Act. The Committee traditionally approaches its work from a 
set of fundamental goals: promoting program integrity, eliminating or 
avoiding program complexity, integrating delivery across the Title IV 
programs, and minimizing burden on students and institutions.
    Reauthorizaton of the Higher Education Act has provided the 
Advisory Committee with a significantly expanded agenda in six major 
areas, such as, Performance-based Organization (PBO); Modernization; 
Technology; Simplification of Law and Regulation; Distance Education; 
and Early Information and Needs Assessment. In each of these areas, 
Congress has asked the Committee to: monitor progress toward 
implementing the Amendments of 1998; conduct independent, objective 
assessments; and make recommendations for improvement to the Congress 
and the Secretary. Each of these responsibilities flows logically from 
and effectively implements one or more of the Committee's original 
statutory functions and purposes.
    The proposed agenda includes: (a) discussion sessions on 
implementing the provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 
and their impact of all Title IV programs in the 21st century, in 
particular, college cost and student aid, need-based aid vs. merit-
based aid; and (b) the impact of distance education on access and new 
initiatives in early intervention. In addition, the Committee will 
discuss its plans for the remainder of fiscal year 1999 and address 
other Committee business. Space is limited and you are encouraged to 
register early if you plan to attend. You may register through Internet 
at [email protected] or [email protected]. Please include 
your name, title, affiliation, complete address (including Internet and 
e-mail--if available), and telephone and fax numbers. If you are unable 
to register through Internet, you may mail or fax your registration 
information to the Advisory Committee staff office at (202) 401-3467. 
Also, you may contact the Advisory Committee staff at (202) 708-7439. 
The registration deadline is Friday, April 16, 1999.
    The Advisory Committee will meet in Washington, DC on April 27, 
1999, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 5 p.m., and on April 28, from 
8:30 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m.
    Records are kept of all Committee proceedings, and are available 
for public inspection at the Office of the Advisory Committee on 
Student Financial Assistance, Portals Building, 1280 Maryland Avenue, 
SW., Suite 601, Washington, DC from the hours of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 
weekdays, except Federal holidays.

    Dated: March 30, 1999.
Dr. Brian K. Fitzgerald,
Staff Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 99-8214 Filed 4-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-M