[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 169 (Thursday, August 31, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 51808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7273]


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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 hearing (i.e., interpreting services, assistive 
listening devices, and/or materials in alternative format) should 
notify the Advisory Committee no later than Monday, September 11, 2006 
by contacting Ms. Hope Gray at (202) 219-2099 or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. We will attempt to meet requests after this date, but 
cannot guarantee availability of the requested accommodation. The 
hearing site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This 
notice also describes the functions of the Advisory Committee. Notice 
of this hearing 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: Tuesday, September 19, 2006, beginning at 9 a.m. and 
ending at approximately 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW., 
Executive Room, Lower Lobby Level, Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper, Director of 
Policy Research or Ms. Erin B. Renner, Director of Government 
Relations, 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 
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 mission in the Higher Education Amendments of 
1998 to include 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 Advisory Committee has scheduled this one-day hearing to 
publicly launch its new report on the impact of financial barriers on 
college enrollment and the Committee's newly requested Congressional 
charge, to conduct a one-year study of the rising cost of college 
textbooks and make recommendations on ways to reduce the financial 
barriers for all students. The proposed agenda includes expert 
testimony and discussions by prominent higher education community 
leaders, state representatives, and policy researchers who will address 
(a) the Committee's report on the impact of financial barriers on 
college enrollment and degree attainment; (b) the Congressionally 
requested study of college textbooks; (c) the feasibility study for 
radical simplification of federal expected family contribution (EFC) 
determination, which is a part of the Committee's Innovative Pathways 
Study, and (d) a roundtable discussion among Advisory Committee members 
and panelists on the issues addressed in the first three sessions, 
followed by a public comment session.
    The Advisory Committee invites the public to submit written 
comments on the agenda topics to the following e-mail address: 
[email protected]. Information regarding the topics covered at the hearing 
will also be available on the Advisory Committee's Web site at http://www.ed.gov/ACSFA. We must receive your comments on or before September 
15, 2006 to be included in the hearing materials.
    Space for the hearing is limited and you are encouraged to register 
early if you plan to attend. You may register by sending an e-mail to 
the following address: [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 fax your 
registration information to the Advisory Committee staff office at 
(202) 219-3032. You may also contact the Advisory Committee staff 
directly at (202) 219-2099. The registration deadline is Tuesday, 
September 12, 2006.
    Records are kept for Advisory Committee proceedings, and are 
available for 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 
Advisory Committee is available on the Committee's Web site, http://www.ed.gov/ACSFA.

    Dated: August 25, 2006.
William J. Goggin,
Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 06-7273 Filed 8-30-06; 8:45 am]
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