Student Assistance General Provisions

SUMMARY: On September 20, 1996, the Department of Education published

in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the

Student Assistance General Provisions (34 CFR Part 668) addressing

standards of financial responsibility (60 FR 49552-49574). The proposed

standards would apply to all institutions that participate in a program

authorized by title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended

(title IV, HEA programs).

On December 18, 1996, the Secretary published a notice in the

Federal Register (61 FR 66854) reopening the comment period on

particular parts of the September 20, 1996 NPRM until February 18,

1997. On February 18, 1997, the Secretary extended the reopened comment

period until March 24 to allow commenters to examine and comment upon

new information that would be made available through meetings and other

avenues (62 FR 7334).

The Secretary is extending the comment period for an additional 21

days. The Secretary is doing so to allow the higher education community

to comment on additional information regarding the proposed ratio

methodology, and to suggest possible revisions to that methodology.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: All comments concerning this notice or the notice of

proposed rulemaking should be addressed to Mr. David Lorenzo, U.S.

Department of Education, P.O. Box 23272, Washington, D.C. 20026, or to

the following internet address: [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Lorenzo or Mr. John Kolotos,

U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 3045,

ROB-3, Washington, D.C. 20202, telephone (202) 708-8242. Individuals

who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the

Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8

a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern standard time, Monday through Friday.

The additional information referenced above may be obtained from

the financial responsibility section of the Department's web site at

the following URL address: (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/PPI).

Dated: March 17, 1997.

David A. Longanecker,

Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.

[FR Doc. 97-7090 Filed 3-19-97; 8:45 am]

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