[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 25 (Monday, February 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6062-6063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2917]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs--Distance Education
Demonstration Program
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of regional meetings to provide advice and technical
assistance to institutions of higher education (institutions), systems
of institutions, and consortia of institutions that are (1) interested
in applying to participate in the Distance Education Demonstration
Program authorized under section 486 of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended, or (2) interested in providing
Federal financial aid to students enrolled in distance education
programs.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education (Secretary) will conduct three
regional meetings in the District of Columbia, San Francisco, and
Denver to provide advice and technical assistance to potential
applicants of the Distance Education Demonstration Program and to other
institutions interested in providing Federal financial aid to students
enrolled in distance education programs.
DATES: The regional meetings will be held on February 11, 1999 in the
District of Columbia, February 17, 1999 in San Francisco, California,
and February 19, 1999 in Denver, Colorado.
ADDRESSES: Marianne R. Phelps, U.S. Department of Education, 400
Maryland Avenue, SW (ROB-3, Room 4082), Washington, DC 20202-5257.
Telephone: (202) 708-5547.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marianne R. Phelps at (202) 708-5547
or E-Mail to DistanceD[email protected]. Information regarding the program can
also be found on the Web site of the Department of Education (http://
www.ed.gov). If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD)
you may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding
paragraph.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On October 7, 1998, President Clinton signed into law Pub. L. 105-
244, the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, amending the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (HEA). This legislation established the Distance
Education Demonstration Program. Under this program, up to a total of
15 institutions, systems of institutions, or consortia of institutions
may offer Title IV, HEA financial assistance to students enrolled in
distance education programs without being subject to certain statutory
and regulatory provisions, which the Secretary may waive, upon their
request. As described in section 486(a) of the HEA, the purpose of the
program is to--
(1) Allow demonstration programs that are strictly monitored by the
Department of Education to test the quality and viability of expanded
distance education programs currently restricted under this Act;
(2) Provide for increased student access to higher education
through distance education programs; and
(3) Help determine the--
(A) Most effective means of delivering quality education via
distance education course offerings;
[[Page 6063]]
(B) Specific statutory and regulatory requirements which should be
altered to provide greater access to high quality distance education
programs; and
(C) Appropriate level of federal assistance for students enrolled
in distance education programs.
The Secretary anticipates publishing a notice inviting applications
for participation in the Distance Education Demonstration Program in
the Federal Register during the first week of February, 1999. This
notice will specify the eligibility requirements for participation in
the Distance Education Demonstration Program, the statutory and
regulatory provisions that may be waived, the application requirements,
and the criteria that will be used to select participants.
Regional Hearings
Interested parties are invited to attend three regional meetings
that will provide advice and technical assistance about applying to
participate in the Distance Education Demonstration Program and
providing Federal financial aid to students enrolled in distance
education programs. The regional meetings will begin with a brief
description of eligibility requirements for the Distance Education
Demonstration Program and the application and selection processes for
this program. Then, individuals will be provided an opportunity to ask
questions regarding the application process and other matters relating
to the Distance Education Demonstration Program. Department of
Education staff with expertise on various issues relating to the
Distance Education Demonstration Program will be available to answer
these questions.
Questions regarding eligibility and administration of Title IV, HEA
student financial assistance programs may be relevant to institutions'
interest in applying for the Distance Education Demonstration Program.
Accordingly, during the course of the meeting, Department staff will
also address questions that relate generally to the administration of
aid in distance education programs.
The Department of Education has reserved a limited number of hotel
rooms at each of the following hotels at a special government per diem
room rate. To reserve these rates, be certain to inform the hotel that
you are attending the regional hearings with the Department of
Education.
The hearing sites are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The Department will provide a sign language interpreter at each of the
scheduled hearings. An individual with a disability who will need an
auxiliary aid or service other than an interpreter to participate in
the meeting (e.g., assistive listening device, or materials in an
alternative format) should notify the contact person listed in this
notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date. Although
the Department will attempt to meet a request received after that date,
the requested auxiliary aid or service may not be available because of
insufficient time to arrange it. Dates, Times, and Locations of
Regional Hearings.
1. February 11, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Washington Plaza Hotel, 10
Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Call (202) 842-1300 for hotel
reservations. Sleeping room rate: $115 plus taxes. Reservations must be
made by January 28th.
2. February 17, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Holiday Inn Golden
Gateway, 1500 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California 94109. Call 1-
800-Holiday or (415) 441-4000 for hotel reservations. Sleeping room
rates: $129 plus taxes. Reservations must be made by February 3rd.
3. February 19, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Adams Marc Hotel, 1550
Court Place, Denver, Colorado 80202. Call 1-303-893-3333 for hotel
reservations. Sleeping room rate: $80 plus taxes. Reservations must be
made by February 5th.
Electronic Access to This Document
Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in Text or
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the
following sites:
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg/htm
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg/html
To use the pdf, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with
Search, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you
have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing
Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
Authority: Sec. 488 of Pub. L. 105-244, enacted October 7, 1998.
Dated: February 2, 1999.
David A. Longanecker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 99-2917 Filed 2-5-99; 8:45 am]
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