Submission of Paperwork Reduction Act Requests to Office of Management and Budget

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Submission of Paperwork Reduction Act Requests to Office of

Management and Budget

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Information Collection Requests

for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Annual Report Form, OMB No.

1076-0105, the Tribal Colleges and Universities Grant Application Form,

OMB No. 1076-0018, and Higher Education Grant Program Annual Report

Form, OMB No. 1076-0106 have been submitted to the Office of Management

and Budget for approval under the provision of the Paperwork Reduction

Act (44 U.S.C., Chapter 25).

DATES: Submit your comments and suggestions on or before September 7,

1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent directly to Office of

Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,

Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior, Room 10102,

7225 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503. Send a copy of your

comments to: Garry R. Martin, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of

Indian Education Programs, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240-

0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the information collection

may be obtained by contacting Garry R. Martin at 202-208-3478.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Abstract

The information collection is necessary to assess the need for

tribally controlled community college programs and the Higher Education

Grant Program in accordance with 25 CFR part 41. A request for comments

regarding the information collection forms for 1076-0018 and 1076-0105

was published in the Federal Register on January 22, 1998 (63 FR 3333-

3341). The request for comments for 1076-0106 was published in the

Federal Register on February 24, 1998 (63 FR 9241-9242).

No comments were received pertaining to the Tribally Controlled

Community College Grant Application, OMB No. 1076-0018. One response

from tribal organization representing tribal colleges and universities

contained six responses from various tribal institutions. After careful

consideration of the responses, specific changes in the collection of

information were made to eliminate duplication of information and to

reduce the burden of reporting by the institutions. Specific changes

regarding section 1 were rewritten and placed in section 5 entitled,

``Current Funds Revenue By Source.'' Data tables involving the

collection of revenue by sources and grant expenditures tables were

reformatted for easier use. A total of three respondents provided six

comments during the comment period for the higher education programs,

1076-0106. One comment was favorable to the streamlined annual report

form and remarked that it will make reporting a more efficient process.

One respondent observed that part-time student data was utilized in the

collection of information and that it was misleading as funding is for

full time students. The Bureau considered this comment and has decided

to remove the reference to part-time students from the data collection.

The respondent also commented that the information requested in the

Graduate Listing portion has never been utilized by employment agencies

which negates the need to maintain such a specific database. The Bureau

will continue requesting the number of graduates but will no longer

request specific information concerning the individual graduate. The

respondent also commented that there is no need for the Financial

Profile as it may be detrimental to higher education funding. The

Bureau considered this comment and will retain this section for

comparing specific educational funding programs to financial aid

programs frequently used by most college students applying for

educational grants and loans. One respondent commented that the

reporting period should be based upon the fiscal year of each

individual contract; also that the length of time to gather and

maintain data for completion is more than three hours. The Bureau

considered these comments and contend that the time frame in reporting

data reflects an academic period instead of a specific fiscal year and

will continue using a reporting period that is consistent with

institutional enrollments. The Bureau acknowledges that in some

extenuating circumstances the data gathering may exceed the time as

estimated; however, because of changes to the form and the lack of

other comments concerning time, the Bureau will maintain the estimated

burden of three hours to compile this information.

Request for Comments

Comments are invited on (a) Whether the collections of information

are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the

agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b) the accuracy of the agency's validity of the methodology and

assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity

of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden

of the collection of the information on respondents, including through

the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of

information technology.

The Office of Management and Budget has up to 60 days to approve or

disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days;

therefore, comments submitted in response to this notice should be

submitted to that office within 30 days in order to assure their

maximum consideration.

Title: Tribally Controlled Community College Grant Application

Form.

OMB approval number: 1076-018.

Frequency: Annual.

Description of respondents: Tribal colleges and universities.

Estimated completion time: 3 hours.

Annual responses: 25.

Annual burden hours: 75.

Title: Tribally Controlled Community College Annual Report Form.

OMB approval number: 1076-0105.

Frequency: Annual.

Description of respondents: Tribal college and universities.

Estimated completion time: 3 hours.

Annual responses: 25.

Annual burden hours: 75.

Title: Bureau of Indian Affairs Higher Education Grant Program

Annual Report Form.

[[Page 42711]]

OMB approval number: 1076-0106.

Frequency: Annual.

Description of respondents: Higher Education Grant program

contractors.

Estimated completion time: 3 hours.

Annual responses: 125.

Annual burden hours: 375.

Dated: July 9, 1999.

Kevin Gover,

Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.

[FR Doc. 99-20151 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]

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