FY 2022 Responses to Public Comments of Upward Bound Program Application (10-27-21)

Upward Bound Program – Fiscal Year 2022 Competition

Summary of Public Comments with Responses

Introduction

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) received eight comments from individuals and one comment from an association that represents Upward Bound (UB) grantees, interested in the UB Program competition. The comments addressed two topics: formatting and per participant cost.

Below is a summary of the comments and the Department’s responses to the comments including whether subsequent changes will be made to the Notice Inviting Applications and the application package for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2022.

Formatting

Comments: Commenters requested that the draft application be modified to read that single spacing is allowed for titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.

Response: The Department is aware of the concerns of prospective applicants regarding the proposed change to the formatting requirements.

Change: The Department will adjust the application package to reflect that single spacing is appropriate for titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in figures and graphs.

Per-Participant Cost

Comments: One commenter, representing the Upward Bound grantees, proposed that the Department increase the per-participant cost for projects to $5,200.00. The commenter stated that increasing the per-participant cost to $5,200.00 would enable projects to invest more in securing the personnel and additional program supports needed to address the increased needs of Upward Bound students.

Response: The Department is aware of the concern regarding a proposed increase in the per-participant cost to $5,200.00; however, it would require an increase in appropriations. At this time, any increases in the actual level of funding, if any, depend on final congressional appropriation of funds for the Federal TRIO Programs for FY 2022, which has not occurred. Thus, the Department is unable to increase the per-participant cost at this time.

Change: None.