[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 92 (Friday, May 14, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26487-26492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10232]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Strengthening Institutions Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the
Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP), Assistance Listing Number
84.031A. This notice relates to the approved information collection
under OMB control number 1840-0114.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 14, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 13, 2021.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 13, 2021.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nalini Lamba-Nieves, U.S. Department
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B116, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7953. Email: [email protected].
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The Strengthening Institutions Program provides
grants to eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) to help them
become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income
students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the institution's
academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability.
Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference
priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), Competitive
Preference Priority 1 is from allowable activities specified in the
statute (see section 311 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended (HEA)). Competitive Preference Priority 2 is from the
Secretary's Notice of Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for
Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on
March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental Priorities).
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2021 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to eight
additional points for the priorities, depending on how well the
application meets these priorities. Applicants may address one or both
of the competitive preference priorities.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Tutoring, Counseling, and
Student Service Programs (up to 5 points).
Background: The SIP Program is critical to the Department's efforts
to improve college completion for students who have been traditionally
underrepresented in postsecondary education. In recent years, attention
to the importance of other supports, such as mental health, food
pantries, and childcare, among others, to student persistence and
graduation rates has increased.\1\ Through this priority we encourage
IHEs to develop and/or create internal support systems and/or train
personnel on ways to enhance and/or develop systems of support that
provide wrap around services to students and promote retention. These
services can
[[Page 26488]]
be provided to newly admitted students or to existing students at the
institution.
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\1\ M. Mechur Karp, 2011, Toward a New Understanding of Non-
Academic Student Support: Four Mechanisms Encouraging Positive
Student Outcomes in the Community College, Retrieved 3/2/2021 from
http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/media/k2/attachments/new-understanding-non-academic-support.pdf.
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Priority: Projects designed to provide tutoring, counseling, and
student service programs designed to improve academic success,
including innovative, customized, instruction courses designed to help
retain students and move the students rapidly into core courses and
through program completion, which may include remedial education and
English language instruction.
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Fostering Flexible and
Affordable Paths to Obtaining Knowledge and Skills (up to 3 points).
Background: One of the top expectations of students who attend
postsecondary education is that they will gain the knowledge and skills
necessary to get a job. However, a Lumina Foundation/Gallup Poll \2\
report found that less than half (43 percent) of Americans agree that
college graduates are well-prepared for success in the workplace, and
when polling business leaders, just 11 percent strongly agreed that
higher education institutions are graduating students with the skills
and competencies that their businesses need. With the coronavirus
pandemic's negative impact on higher education enrollment and
employment, the previously found gap between skills and degrees has
likely worsened. To ameliorate these gaps, institutions are encouraged
to provide their students employability-related experiences.
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\2\ Gallup and Lumina Foundation, What America Needs to Know
about Higher Education Redesign (Indianapolis: Lumina Foundation,
2014).
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Priority: Projects designed to provide work-based learning
experiences (such as internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships)
that align with in-demand industry sectors or occupations (as defined
in section 3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of
2014 (WIOA)).
Definitions: These definitions apply to the priorities and the
selection criteria for this competition and are from section 3(23) of
WIOA and 34 CFR 77.1.
Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve
relevant outcomes. (34 CFR 77.1).
In-demand industry sector or occupation means--
(a) In General.--(i) An industry sector that has a substantial
current or potential impact (including through jobs that lead to
economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) on the
State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate, and that contributes
to the growth or stability of other supporting businesses, or the
growth of other industry sectors; or
(ii) An occupation that currently has or is projected to have a
number of positions (including positions that lead to economic self-
sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) in an industry sector so
as to have a significant impact on the State, regional, or local
economy, as appropriate.
(B) Determination.--The determination of whether an industry sector
or occupation is in-demand under this paragraph shall be made by the
State board or local board, as appropriate, using State and regional
business and labor market projections, including the use of labor
market information. (WIOA).
Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project
components and relevant outcomes. (34 CFR 77.1).
Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use
resources such as the Regional Educational Laboratory Program's (REL
Pacific) Education Logic Model Application, available at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp to help design their
logic models. Other sources include: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014025.pdf, https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf, and https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf.
Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention,
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers). (34
CFR 77.1).
Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s)
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the
specific goals of the program. (34 CFR 77.1).
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1057-1059d (title III, part A, of the
HEA).
Note: In 2008, the HEA was amended by the Higher Education
Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), Public Law 110-315. Please note that
the regulations for SIP in 34 CFR part 607 have not been updated to
reflect these statutory changes. The statute supersedes all other
regulations.
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal
civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97,
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program are in 34 CFR part 607.
(e) The Supplemental Priorities.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Five-year Individual
Development Grants and Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants will
be awarded in FY 2021.
Note: A cooperative arrangement is an arrangement to carry out
allowable grant activities between an institution eligible to receive a
grant under this competition and another eligible or ineligible IHE,
under which the resources of the cooperating institutions are combined
and shared to better achieve the purposes of this part and avoid costly
duplication of effort.
Estimated Available Funds: $17,182,981.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Individual Development Grants:
Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-$450,000 per year.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $425,000 per year.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $450,000 for a
single budget period of 12 months.
Estimated Number of Awards: 28.
Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants:
Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000-$550,000 per year.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $525,000 per year.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $550,000 for a
single budget period of 12 months.
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Estimated Number of Awards: 10.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants:
This program is authorized by title III, part A, of the HEA. To
qualify as an eligible institution under any title III, part A program,
an institution must--
(a) Be accredited or preaccredited by a nationally recognized
accrediting agency or association that the Secretary has determined to
be a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training
offered;
(b) Be legally authorized by the State in which it is located to be
a junior or community college or to provide an educational program for
which it awards a bachelor's degree; and
(c) Be designated as an ``eligible institution'' by demonstrating
that it: (1) Has an enrollment of needy students as described in 34 CFR
607.3; and (2) has low average educational and general expenditures per
full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student as described in 34 CFR
607.4.
Note: The notice announcing the FY 2021 process for designation of
eligible institutions, and inviting applications for waiver of
eligibility requirements, was published in the Federal Register on
March 4, 2021 (86 FR 12665). The Department extended the deadline for
applications in a notice published in the Federal Register on April 13,
2021 (86 FR 19231). Only institutions that the Department determines
are eligible, or which are granted a waiver under the process described
in the March 4, 2021 notice, may apply for a grant in this program.
An eligible IHE that submits applications for an Individual
Development Grant and a Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant in
this competition may be awarded both in the same fiscal year. A grantee
with an Individual Development Grant or a Cooperative Arrangement
Development Grant may be a partner in one or more Cooperative
Development Arrangement Grants. The lead institution in a Cooperative
Arrangement Development Grant must be an eligible institution. Partners
are not required to be eligible institutions.
Relationship Between the Title III, Part A Programs and the Developing
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program
A grantee under the HSI program, which is authorized under title V
of the HEA, may not receive a grant under any HEA, title III, part A
program. The title III, part A programs are: SIP; the Tribally
Controlled Colleges and Universities program; the Alaska Native and
Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions program; the Asian American and
Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions program; and the
Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions program. Furthermore, a
current HSI program grantee may not give up its HSI grant to receive a
grant under SIP or any title III, part A program as described in 34 CFR
607.2(g)(1).
An eligible HSI that is not a current grantee under the HSI program
may apply for a FY 2021 grant under all title III, part A programs for
which it is eligible, as well as receive consideration for a grant
under the HSI program. However, a successful applicant may receive only
one grant as described in 34 CFR 607.2(g)(1).
Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you
may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the
Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an
organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State
taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the
organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and
that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private
shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's
certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly
establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item
described above if that item applies to a State or national parent
organization, together with a statement by the State or parent
organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching unless the grantee uses a portion of its grant for
establishing or improving an endowment fund. If a grantee uses a
portion of its grant for endowment fund purposes, it must match those
grant funds with non-Federal funds (20 U.S.C. 1057(d)(1)-(2)).
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Grant funds must be used so that they
supplement and, to the extent practical, increase the funds that would
otherwise be available for the activities to be carried out under the
grant and in no case supplant those funds (34 CFR 607.30(b)).
c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its application.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which
contains requirements and information on how to submit an application.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order
12372 is in the application package for this program.
3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR
607.10(c). We reference additional regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you,
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to
evaluate your application. We recommend that you limit the application
narrative to no more than 50 pages for Individual Development Grants
and no more than 65 pages for Cooperative Arrangement Development
Grants. If you are addressing one or both competitive preference
priorities, we recommend that you limit your response to no more than
an additional five pages total, three additional pages for Competitive
Preference Priority 1 and two additional pages for Competitive
Preference Priority 2. Please include a separate heading when
responding to one or both competitive preference priorities. We also
recommend that you use the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on one side
only, with 1'' margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations,
[[Page 26490]]
references, and captions as well as all text in charts, tables,
figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract. However, the
recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
Note: The Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs Form (ED
524) Sections A-C are not the same as the narrative response to the
Budget section of the selection criteria.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The following selection criteria for this
competition are from 34 CFR 607.22(a) through (g) and 34 CFR 75.210.
Applicants should address each of the following selection criteria
separately for each proposed activity. The selection criteria are worth
a total of 100 points; the maximum score for each criterion is noted in
parentheses.
(a) Quality of the Applicant's Comprehensive Development Plan.
(Maximum 20 Points) The extent to which--
(1) The strengths, weaknesses, and significant problems of the
institution's academic programs, institutional management, and fiscal
stability are clearly and comprehensively analyzed and result from a
process that involved major constituencies of the institution;
(2) The goals for the institution's academic programs,
institutional management, and fiscal stability are realistic and based
on comprehensive analysis;
(3) The objectives stated in the plan are measurable, related to
institutional goals, and, if achieved, will contribute to the growth
and self-sufficiency of the institution; and
(4) The plan clearly and comprehensively describes the methods and
resources the institution will use to institutionalize practice and
improvements developed under the proposed project, including, in
particular, how operational costs for personnel, maintenance, and
upgrades of equipment will be paid with institutional resources.
(b) Quality of the Project Design. (Maximum 15 Points) The
Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.
In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the extent to which the proposed project
demonstrates a rationale (as defined in this notice).
(c) Quality of Activity Objectives. (Maximum 16 Points) The extent
to which the objectives for each activity are--
(1) Realistic and defined in terms of measurable results; and
(2) Directly related to the problems to be solved and to the goals
of the comprehensive development plan.
(d) Quality of Implementation Strategy. (Maximum 15 Points) The
extent to which--
(1) The implementation strategy for each activity is comprehensive;
(2) The rationale for the implementation strategy for each activity
is clearly described and is supported by the results of relevant
studies or projects; and
(3) The timetable for each activity is realistic and likely to be
attained.
(e) Quality of Key Personnel. (Maximum 8 Points) The extent to
which--
(1) The past experience and training of key professional personnel
are directly related to the stated activity objectives; and
(2) The time commitment of key personnel is realistic.
(f) Quality of Project Management Plan. (Maximum 10 Points) The
extent to which--
(1) Procedures for managing the project are likely to ensure
efficient and effective project implementation; and
(2) The project coordinator and activity directors have sufficient
authority to conduct the project effectively, including access to the
president or chief executive officer.
(g) Quality of Evaluation Plan. (Maximum 10 Points) The extent to
which--
(1) The data elements and the data collection procedures are
clearly described and appropriate to measure the attainment of activity
objectives and to measure the success of the project in achieving the
goals of the comprehensive development plan; and
(2) The data analysis procedures are clearly described and are
likely to produce formative and summative results on attaining activity
objectives and measuring the success of the project on achieving the
goals of the comprehensive development plan.
(h) Budget. (Maximum 6 Points) The extent to which the proposed
costs are necessary and reasonable in relation to the project's
objectives and scope.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
A panel of three non-Federal reviewers will review and score each
application in accordance with the selection criteria. A rank order
funding slate will be made from this review. Awards will be made in
rank order according to the average score received from the peer review
and from the two competitive preference priorities.
In tie-breaking situations for development grants, 34 CFR 607.23(b)
requires that we award one additional point to an application from an
IHE that has an endowment fund of which the current market value, per
FTE enrolled student, is less than the average current market value of
the endowment funds, per FTE enrolled student, at similar type
institutions that offer similar instruction. We award one additional
point to an application from an IHE that has expenditures for library
materials per FTE enrolled student that are less than the average
expenditure for library materials per FTE enrolled student at similar
type institutions. We also add one additional point to an application
from an IHE that proposes to carry out one or more of the following
activities--
(1) Faculty development;
(2) Funds and administrative management;
(3) Development and improvement of academic programs;
(4) Acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening management
and academic programs;
(5) Joint use of facilities; and
(6) Student services.
For the purpose of these funding considerations, we use 2018-2019
data.
If a tie remains after applying the tie-breaker mechanism above,
priority will be given to applicants that have the lowest endowment
values per FTE enrolled student.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
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200.206, before awarding grants under this program the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR
3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant
if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not
responsible.
4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
Please note that, if the total value of your currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting
applications in accordance with--
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR
200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally,
also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables.
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
5. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and
Results Act of 1993 and 34 CFR 75.110, the following performance
measures will be used in assessing the effectiveness of SIP:
(a) The percentage change, over the five-year period, of the number
of full-time degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled at SIP
institutions. Note that this is a long-term measure that will be used
to periodically gauge performance.
(b) The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking
undergraduate students at four-year SIP institutions who were in their
first year of postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are
enrolled in the current year at the same SIP institution.
(c) The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking
undergraduate students at two-year SIP institutions who were in their
first year of postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are
enrolled in the current year at the same SIP institution.
(d) The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking
undergraduate students enrolled at four-year SIP institutions
graduating within six years of enrollment.
(e) The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking
undergraduate students enrolled at two-year SIP institutions graduating
within three years of enrollment.
6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, whether
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving
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the performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Individuals with disabilities
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
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Michelle Asha Cooper,
Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-10232 Filed 5-13-21; 8:45 am]
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