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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

84.217:  McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement

Objectives:  To provide grants for institutions of higher education to prepare low-income, first-generation college students and students underrepresented in graduate education for graduate study.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

84.217 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Institutions of higher education or combinations of institutions of higher education may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Low-income first generation college students or students from groups underrepresented in graduate education that are enrolled in a degree program at an eligible institution of higher education will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation:  Costs will be determined in accordance with Education Department General Administrative Regulations and the program regulations, Section 647 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

84.217 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.

Application Procedure:  Develop a proposal in accordance with legislation, regulations, applications, and timetables issued by the Secretary of Education. No State plan is required. Requests for applications should be made to the Federal TRIO Program. This program is subject to the provisions of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:  Nonfederal field readers evaluate new proposals on the basis of the selection criteria specified in the program regulations, 647.21. Grants are awarded by the Federal TRIO Programs office.

Deadlines:  Deadlines are published in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  About 90 to 180 days.

Appeals:  There are no appeals.

Renewals:  Continuation awards for three or four years are approved on an annual basis, subject to the availability of funds.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  For new awards, the Secretary will select applicants under the criteria that were set forth in 647.21 of the program regulations. Final program regulations were published on August 25, 1994.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Projects ensuring that eligible students are provided opportunities for research or other scholarly activities which effectively prepare them for doctoral study, including summer internships and seminars, have been developed. Also, projects which provide tutoring, academic counseling and activities designed to assist eligible participants in the project in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs have been established.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  In fiscal year 1999, the average award was $205,000.

84.217 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 84.042 TRIO: Student Support Services;
• 84.044 TRIO: Talent Search;
• 84.047 TRIO: Upward Bound;
• 84.066 TRIO: Educational Opportunity Centers;
• 84.103 Higher Education: TRIO Staff Training Program.

84.217 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The number of funded projects was 156, serving about 3,641 students in fiscal year 1999.

84.217 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $32,114,000; FY 00 est $34,534,000; and FY 01 est $35,244,000.

Budget Account Number:  91-0201-0-1-502.

Authorization:  Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1 Section 402E, as amended, 106 Stat. 448, 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  34 CFR 647 and Education Department General Administrative Regulations.

84.217 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Department of Education, Federal TRIO Programs, College and University Support Team, Office of Postsecondary Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-5249. Contact: Eileen S. Bland. Phone: (202) 708-4804. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

84.217 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Four to 5-year projects, subject to the availability of funds.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds may be used by the participating institution to provide eligible participants with services such as: opportunities for research and other scholarly activities; summer internships; seminars; tutoring; academic counseling; securing admission and financial assistance for graduate study; mentoring and exposure to cultural events. At least two-thirds of the project participants must be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students. The remaining participants must be from a group that is underrepresented in graduate education.

84.217 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Performance reports are submitted on an annual basis.

Audits:  In accordance with Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 61, 74, 75, and 702.

Records:  In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 75 and 730, and 647.32 of the program regulations.