[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 2128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-723]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Hearing

AGENCY: Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Education.

ACTION: Notice of upcoming hearing.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a 
forthcoming hearing of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial 
Assistance. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability 
in order to attend the meeting (i.e., interpreting services, assistive 
listening devices, and/or materials in alternative format) should 
notify Ms. Hope M. Gray at (202) 219-2099 or via e-mail at 
[email protected] no later than Thursday, January 29, 2004. We will 
attempt to meet requests after this date, but cannot guarantee 
availability of the requested accommodation. The meeting site is 
accessible to individuals with disabilities. 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: Thursday, February 5, 2004, beginning at 9 a.m. 
and ending at approximately 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Holiday Inn on the Hill, 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW., the 
Federal South Room, Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Brian K. Fitzgerald, Staff 
Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Capitol 
Place, 80 F Street, NW., Suite 413, Washington, DC 20202-7582 (202) 
219-2099.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Committee on Student Financial 
Assistance is established under section 491 of the Higher Education Act 
(HEA) of 1965 as amended by Pub. L. 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 three-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 VI of the Higher 
Education Act. The Committee traditionally approaches its work from a 
set of fundamental goals: Promoting access; ensuring program integrity; 
integrating delivery across the Title IV programs; eliminating or 
avoiding program complexity; and minimizing burden on students and 
institutions.
    The most important charge of the Advisory Committee is to make 
recommendations to Congress and the Secretary that will lead to the 
maintenance and enhancement of access to postsecondary education for 
low- and middle-income students. In addition to carrying out its 
ongoing statutory charges, the Committee dedicated itself to 
articulating the current state of access by developing two reports on 
the condition of access, Access Denied: Restoring the Nation's 
Commitment to Equal Educational Opportunity and Empty Promises: The 
Myth of College Access in America. As a result of the findings in its 
access reports, the Committee submitted its access proposal to Congress 
in May 2003 in preparation for reauthorization of the Higher Education 
Act. The Committee will review and evaluate, from an access 
perspective, other reauthorization proposals and ideas emanating from 
Congress and the higher education community.
    The proposed agenda includes discussion sessions with congressional 
staff, Department of Education officials, and members of the higher 
education community focusing on the need for simplification of need 
analysis, forms and delivery of student aid. Specifically, the hearing 
will initiate an Advisory Committee simplification study conducted at 
the request of Congress. The hearing will explore (a) congressional 
interests and proposals for simplification, (b) perspectives of the 
higher education community and specific problems, including annual 
updates to the state tax allowances, (c) the student work penalty, and 
(d) early notification of student aid eligibility. Space is limited and 
you are encouraged to register early if you plan to attend. You may 
register through the 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 electronically, you may mail or fax your registration 
information to the Advisory Committee staff office at (202) 219-3032. 
Also, you may contact the Advisory Committee staff at (202) 219-2099. 
The registration deadline is Friday, January 30, 2004.
    The Advisory Committee will meet in Washington, DC on Thursday, 
February 5, 2004, from 9 a.m. until approximately 5 p.m.
    Record are kept of all Committee proceedings, and are available for 
public inspection at the Office of the Advisory Committee on Student 
Financial Assistance, Capitol Place, 80 F Street, NW., Suite 413, 
Washington, DC from the hours of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays, except 
Federal holidays.

    Dated: January 8, 2004.
Brian K. Fitzgerald,
Staff Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 04-723 Filed 1-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-M