[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 158 (Friday, August 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48131-48132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19326]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance: Meeting/
Hearing

AGENCY: Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Education.

ACTION: Notice of an Open/Meeting and Hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

DATE AND TIME:  Friday, September 12, 2014, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and 
ending at approximately 4:00 p.m. (EDT).

ADDRESSES: Trinity Washington University, O'Connor Auditorium, 125 
Michigan Avenue NE., Washington, District of Columbia 20017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Janet Chen, Director of Programs, 
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.
    The one-day meeting/hearing will provide an opportunity for members 
of the public to suggest strategies and techniques to address the 
technical challenges involved in creating the Postsecondary Institution 
Ratings System (PIRS). In particular, the Committee seeks constructive, 
analytical input on how PIRS can successfully address challenges in one 
or more of the following ten areas: (1) Account for the diversity of 
American higher education; (2) Work within the financing structure of 
higher education; (3) Foster improvement in student and institutional 
outcomes; (4) Distinguish between consumer needs and accountability; 
(5) Overcome inadequacies and deficiencies in existing data; (6) 
Minimize unintended effects that undermine the objectives; (7) Contend 
with the subjective nature of ratings and rankings; (8) Ensure links to 
student aid improve access and completion; (9) Integrate with existing 
public data and information systems; (10) Provide for adequate pilot 
testing before full implementation.
    Given its legislative charge, the Advisory Committee is especially 
interested in how PIRS might be designed to minimize unintended effects 
on Title IV recipients, in particular low-income students.
    To request time for public comment, please email [email protected] with 
your name, contact information, and written testimony by August 25, 
2014. Space is limited and will be allotted in order of registration. 
Advisory Committee staff will contact presenters prior to the hearing 
to confirm participation. To provide written comment in lieu of 
speaking at the hearing, please submit comments by email to 
[email protected] by August 25, 2014.
    Space for the meeting/hearing is limited and you are encouraged to 
register early. You may register on the Advisory Committee's Web site, 
http://www2.ed.gov/ACSFA or by sending an email to the following 
address: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please include your 
name, title, affiliation, mailing and email addresses, 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

[[Page 48132]]

(202) 219-3032. The registration deadline is Tuesday, September 2, 
2014.
    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 Tuesday, September 2, 2014 by 
contacting Ms. Tracy Jones at (202) 219-2099 or via email 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. 
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY) may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FRS) toll free at 1-800-
877-8339.
    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 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 
Information regarding the Advisory Committee is available on the 
Committee's Web site, www2.ed.gov/ACSFA.

    Dated: August 11, 2014.
 William J. Goggin,
Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 2014-19326 Filed 8-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P