[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 55420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20631]


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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 teleconference meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a 
forthcoming teleconference meeting 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 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, 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.

DATE AND TIME: Monday, September 27, 2004, beginning at 1 p.m. and 
ending at approximately 3 p.m.

ADDRESSES: 80 F Street, NW., Suite 412, Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Brian K. Fitzgerald, Staff 
Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, 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 
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 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. In addition, Congress expanded 
the Advisory Committee's agenda in the Higher Education Amendments of 
1998 in several important areas: Access, Title IV modernization, 
distance education, and early information and needs assessment. 
Specifically, the Advisory Committee is to review, monitor and evaluate 
the Department of Education's progress in these areas and report 
recommended improvements to Congress and the Secretary.
    The FY2004 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2673), which was 
signed into law on January 23, 2004, directs the Advisory Committee to 
examine the federal financial aid formula and application forms in 
order to simplify and streamline the programs to make the system 
easier, more responsive, and fairer for students and families. The 
Advisory Committee is well suited to conduct this study, drawing upon 
the expertise of its eleven members and its experience conducting other 
broad studies on financial aid issues. The Advisory Committee also has 
the particular mission of examining the impact of these issues on low- 
and moderate-income students, a specific goal of the study.
    The proposed agenda includes: (a) A discussion of the plan and 
direction for Phase II of the simplification study, and (b) election of 
officers. Space is limited, and you are encouraged to contact the 
Advisory Committee staff through the Internet at [email protected] no 
later than Thursday, September 23, 2004, if you wish to participate. 
Also, you may contact the Advisory Committee staff at (202) 219-2099. 
The Advisory Committee will meet in Washington, DC via teleconference 
on Monday, September 27, 2004, from 1 p.m. until approximately 3 p.m.
    Space is limited and you are encouraged to register early if you 
plan to participate. You may register through the Internet by e-mailing 
the Advisory Committee at [email protected] or at 
[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 Thursday, September 23, 2004.
    Records 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., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Information regarding the 
simplification study will also be made available on the Advisory 
Committee's Web site http://www.ed.gov/ACSFA.

Dr. Brian K. Fitzgerald,
Staff Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 04-20631 Filed 9-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-M