[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 146 (Thursday, July 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 45502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18118]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of Advocacy and Outreach, USDA/1890 Programs.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35), this notice announces the Office of Advocacy and 
Outreach, USDA/1890 Program's intention to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection for the USDA/1890 National 
Scholars Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 28, 2015 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Office of Advocacy and Outreach invites interested persons 
to submit comments on this notice. Comments may be submitted by one of 
the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. This 
site provides the ability to type short comments directly into the 
comment field on this Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. Send all U.S. 
Postal Service Mail and courier delivered submissions to: Docket Clerk, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 520-A, Whitten Building, Washington, DC 
20250.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name, Office of Advocacy and Outreach. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
send to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., 520-A, Whitten Building, Washington, DC 20250 between 8:00 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Jordan, USDA/1890 National 
Scholar Program Coordinator, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., 520-A, Whitten Building, Washington, DC 20250 
or call (202) 205-4307 (O) or (202) 720-7136 (Fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Application.
    OMB Number: 0503-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2015.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a joint human 
capital initiative between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
and the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. Through the 
1890 Program, USDA offers scholarships to high school and college 
students who are seeking a bachelor's degree in the fields of 
agriculture, food, or natural resource sciences and related disciplines 
at 1890 Land-Grant Universities. In order for graduating high school 
students and current freshman and sophomores to be considered for the 
scholarship, a completed application is required. The first section of 
the high school application requests the applicant to include 
biographical information (i.e. name, address, age, etc.); educational 
background information (i.e. grade point average, test scores, name of 
university(ies), interested in attending, and desired major); and 
extracurricular activities. The second section of the application is 
completed by the student's guidance counselor and requests information 
pertaining to the student's academic status, grade point average, and 
test scores. The last section of the application, which is to be 
completed by a teacher, provides information that assesses the 
applicant's interests, habits, and potential. Two letters of 
recommendation must be submitted on behalf of the applicant. The 
letters may be from a Department Head, Dean of a College, or one of the 
University Vice Presidents or a College Professor for college-level 
applicants; and the Principal, Assistant Principal, Career Counselor, 
Guidance Counselor, or a Teacher for high school applicants. There are 
no sections included in the application that these individuals will 
need to complete.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: High School Students, Freshman, and Sophomore College 
Students, Teachers, and Guidance Counselors.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,400 (600 applications).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,200 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Mary Jordan, USDA/
1890 National Scholars Program Coordinator, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 520-A, Whitten Building, 
Washington, DC 20250. All comments received will be available for 
public inspection during regular business hours at the same address. 
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Christian Obineme,
Associate Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2015-18118 Filed 7-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P