[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24542-24546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08828]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Training Program for Federal TRIO 
Programs

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting 
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for the Training 
Program for Federal TRIO Programs (Training Program), Assistance 
Listing Number (ALN) 84.103A. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1840-0814.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: April 26, 2022.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 10, 2022.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 9, 2022.

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 December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at 
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979. Please note that these Common 
Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 2019, and, 
in part, describe the transition from the requirement to register in 
SAM.gov a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the 
implementation of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). More information 
on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Ulmer, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2C222, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 453-7691. Email: [email protected]; or ReShone 
Moore, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B-
214, Washington, DC 20202-4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7624. Email: 
[email protected].
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and 
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Training Program provides grants to train 
the staff and leadership personnel employed in, participating in, or 
preparing for employment in, projects funded under the Federal TRIO 
Programs, to improve project operation.
    Priorities: This notice contains six absolute priorities and one 
invitational priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv) and 
34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priorities are from section 
402G(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the 
regulations for this program at 34 CFR 642.24. The invitational 
priority is from the Secretary's Supplemental Priorities and 
Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) (Supplemental Priorities).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2022 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet one of these 
absolute priorities.
    In accordance with 34 CFR 642.7, each application must clearly 
identify the specific absolute priority for which a grant is requested. 
An applicant must submit a separate application for each absolute 
priority it proposes to address. If an applicant submits more than one 
application for the same absolute priority, we will accept only the 
application with the latest ``date/time received'' validation.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1. Training to improve reporting of student and 
project performance and project evaluation, in order to design and 
operate a model program for projects funded under the Federal TRIO 
Programs.
    Absolute Priority 2. Training on budget management and the 
statutory and regulatory requirements for the operation of projects 
funded under the Federal TRIO Programs.
    Absolute Priority 3. Training on assessment of student needs; 
retention and graduation strategies; and the use of appropriate 
educational technology in the operation of projects funded under the 
Federal TRIO programs.
    Absolute Priority 4. Training on assisting students in receiving 
adequate financial aid from programs assisted under title IV of the HEA 
and from other programs, and on college and university admissions 
policies and procedures.
    Absolute Priority 5. Training on strategies for recruiting and 
serving hard to reach populations, including students who are limited 
English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally 
underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with 
disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths (as this 
term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a)), students who are foster care youth, 
or other disconnected students.
    Absolute Priority 6. Training on general project management for new 
project directors.\1\
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    \1\ In addressing Absolute Priority 6, the Department encourages 
applicants to (a) focus on directors who are in the early years of 
that role, and (b) demonstrate that the training will provide new 
project directors with the basic tools required to be a successful 
TRIO project director, including incorporation, where possible, of 
the content in Absolute Priorities 1 through 5.
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    Under this competition we are particularly interested in 
applications that address the following priority.
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2022 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this 
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    This priority is:
    Increasing Postsecondary Education Access, Affordability, 
Completion, and Post-Enrollment Success.
    Projects supporting the development and implementation of high-
quality and accessible learning opportunities, including learning 
opportunities that are accelerated or hybrid online; credit-bearing; 
work-based; and flexible for working students.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-17.
    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

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Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75 (except for 75.215 
through 75.221), 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 in 34 CFR part 642. (e) The Supplemental 
Priorities.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education (IHEs) only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration received 
$1,137,000,000 for new awards for the Federal TRIO Programs for FY 
2022, of which we intend to use an estimated $3,219,292 for the TRIO 
Training Program.
    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.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $297,601-$386,882, depending on the 
absolute priority under which the award is funded (see below).
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $321,929.
    Maximum Award and Minimum Participants: We will not make an award 
exceeding the maximum award amount listed here for a single budget 
period of 12 months. Projects proposed under each absolute priority 
also must propose to serve the minimum number of applicable 
participants listed here.
    Under Absolute Priorities 1, 2, and 4, the maximum award amount is 
$297,601 and the minimum number of participants is 231. Under Absolute 
Priorities 3 and 5, the maximum award amount is $386,882 and the 
minimum number of participants is 300. Under Absolute Priority 6, the 
maximum award amount is $329,961 and the minimum number of participants 
is 256.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 10, as follows: 2 awards each under 
Absolute Priorities 1, 2, 4 and 6; and 1 award each under Absolute 
Priorities 3 and 5.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 24 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs and other public and private nonprofit 
institutions and organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training 
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an 
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated 
indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total 
direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information 
regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more 
information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated 
indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    4. 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.
    5. 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 December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at 
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979, which contain requirements and 
information on how to submit an application. Please note that these 
Common Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 
2019, and, in part, describe the transition from the requirement to 
register in SAM.gov a DUNS number to the implementation of the UEI. 
More information on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at 
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.
    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 
642.31. We reference additional regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations and Application Review 
Information sections of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of 
the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection 
criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend 
that you (1) limit the application narrative, which includes the budget 
narrative and invitational priority, if addressed, to no more than 55 
pages and (2) use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins.
     Double space all text in the application narrative, and 
single space titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and 
captions.
     Use a 12-point font.
     Use an easily readable font such as Times New Roman, 
Courier, Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the 
Application for Federal Assistance face sheet (SF 424); Part II, the 
Budget Information Summary form (ED Form 524); Part III-A, the Program 
Profile form; Part III-B, the one-page Project Abstract form; or Part 
IV, the Assurances and Certifications. The recommended page limit also 
does not apply to a table of contents, which we recommend that you 
include in the application narrative.
    5. Content and Form of Application Submission: You should indicate 
the absolute priority addressed in your application both on the one-
page abstract and on the Training Program Profile Sheet. You must 
include your complete response to the selection criteria and absolute 
priority in the application narrative. Other requirements concerning 
the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, 
are in the application package for this program.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 642.21 and 34 CFR 75.210:
    (a) Plan of operation. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) High quality in the design of the project;

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    (ii) An effective plan of management that ensures proper and 
efficient administration of the project;
    (iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project 
relate to the purpose of the program;
    (iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel 
to achieve each objective; and
    (v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal 
access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members 
of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as--
    (A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
    (B) Women;
    (C) Individuals with disabilities; and
    (D) The elderly.
    (b) Quality of key personnel. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to 
use on the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The qualifications of the project director;
    (ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be 
used in the project;
    (iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) 
and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the project; and
    (iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its 
nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have been 
traditionally underrepresented, such as--
    (A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
    (B) Women;
    (C) Individuals with disabilities; and
    (D) The elderly.
    (3) To determine the qualifications of a person, the Secretary 
considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields related 
to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the 
applicant provides.
    (c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project 
activities; and
    (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
project.
    (d) Evaluation plan. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of 
evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent 
possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.
    (e) Adequacy of resources. (15 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the 
project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate; 
and
    (ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are 
adequate.
    (f) Quality of the project design. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the proposed 
project represents an exceptional approach for meeting statutory 
purposes and requirements.
    (g) Quality of project services. (15 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of project services to be provided 
by the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which 
the technical assistance services to be provided by the proposed 
project involve the use of efficient strategies, including the use of 
technology, as appropriate, and the leveraging of non-project 
resources.
    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 also may 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).
    For this competition, a panel of non-Federal reviewers will review 
each application in accordance with the selection criteria in 34 CFR 
642.21 and 34 CFR 75.210. The individual scores of the reviewers will 
be added and the sum divided by the number of reviewers to determine 
the peer review score received in the review process. Additionally, in 
accordance with 34 CFR 642.22, the Secretary will award up to 15 prior 
experience points to eligible applicants by evaluating the applicant's 
current performance under its expiring Training Program grant. Pursuant 
to 34 CFR 642.20(d), if there are insufficient funds to fund all 
applications with the same peer review score within a particular 
absolute priority, prior experience points, if any, will be added to 
the averaged peer review score to determine the total score for each 
application.
    Under section 402A(c)(3) of the HEA, the Secretary is not required 
to make awards under the Training Program in the order of the scores 
received. Additionally, under 34 CFR 642.23 the Secretary, to the 
greatest extent possible, makes Training Program awards to projects 
that will provide training services in all regions of the Nation in 
order to assure accessibility for prospective training participants.
    In the event a tie score still exists after applying prior 
experience points, the Secretary will select for funding the applicant 
that has the greatest capacity to provide training to eligible 
participants in all regions of the Nation, in order to assure 
accessibility to the greatest number of prospective training 
participants, consistent with 34 CFR 642.20(e). If the Department 
determines that all tied applicants have equal capacity to provide 
training to eligible participants in all regions of the Nation, the 
Secretary will identify and recommend an award for--
    First, the applicant in the funding band that is from an entity not 
receiving funding under any of the other absolute priorities.
    Second, the applicant with the highest average score across all 
applications.
    Within each of the steps of the tie-breaker process, if there is 
more than one application with the same score and insufficient funding 
to support these applications, the applicant proposing to serve the 
greatest number of participants through both their on-site and online 
trainings will be the final application identified and recommended to 
receive an award.

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    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
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 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: For purposes of Department reporting under 
34 CFR 75.110, the Department will use the following performance 
measures to assess the effectiveness and quality of the Training 
Program: Its cost-effectiveness based on the number of TRIO project 
personnel receiving training each year; the percentage of Training 
Program participants that, each year, indicate the training has 
increased their qualifications and skills in meeting the needs of 
disadvantaged students; and the percentage of Training Program 
participants that, each year, indicate the training has increased their 
knowledge and understanding of the Federal TRIO Programs. All grantees 
will be required to submit an annual performance report documenting 
their success in training personnel working on TRIO-funded projects, 
including the average cost per trainee and the trainees' evaluations of 
the effectiveness of the training provided. The success of the Training 
Program also is assessed on the quantitative and qualitative outcomes 
of the training projects based on project evaluation results.
    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 the performance 
targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable

[[Page 24546]]

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 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this 
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published 
in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Michelle Asha Cooper,
Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2022-08828 Filed 4-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P