USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Application
Information Collection Justification
Justification
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is an annual recruiting effort by the USDA/1890 National Program Office and the participating nineteen 1890 Land-Grant Universities. This human capital initiative is a collective effort geared toward attracting graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college students, who are freshmen, sophomores or juniors into pursuing disciplines in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences at any of the 1890 Land-grant Universities.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program offers scholarships to U.S. citizens who are seeking a bachelor’s degree at one of the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land Grant Universities. National Scholars are required to study in the following or related disciplines: Agriculture, Agricultural Business/Management, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural/Civil/Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Production and Technology, Agronomy or Crop Science, Animal Sciences, and Botany.
Each USDA/1890 National Scholars Program applicant is required to submit an online application to the USDA/1890 Program Liaison assigned to the 1890 Land-Grant University to which they want to apply.
High School Applicants are required to submit biographical information; educational background information; and extracurricular activities. The applicant’s guidance counselor provides information on the student’s academic status, grade point average, and test scores. A former or present teacher of the applicant provides information that assesses the applicant’s interests and potential.
College Applicants are required to submit biographical information, educational background information, extracurricular activities, an essay, and a resume. Two letters of recommendation are required by a Department Head, Dean of a College or one of the University Vice President and a College Professor, community-based leader, however, there are no sections included in the application that these individuals will need to complete.
The collection of this information from all applicants is necessary to appropriately assess them based on their academic background, extracurricular activities and interests, and potential performance and completion of the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. This information is shared with all reviewing officials at each step of the Scholar Selection process. Reviewing officials include, but are not limited to, University Professors, Deans, and Vice Presidents; Agency Administrators, Program Directors, and Agency Coordinators; and the USDA/1890 National Office Personnel.
Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
The information that is collected is used by many parties. A detailed description is below.
The USDA/1890 Program Liaison uses the information to:
Review all components of the application for completeness
Determine if the application meets the minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program.
The 1890 Land-Grant University Personnel uses the information to:
Determine If the applicants are a good fit for the university based on the applicant’s:
Proposed major (program of study)
Interests
Future academic/professional goals
Grade Point Average
ACT/SAT Scores
Based on that information, they select the top twenty applications to be forwarded to the USDA/1890 National Program Office for consideration.
The USDA/1890 National Office Personnel uses the information to:
Determine if the applicants are a good fit for the National Scholars Program based on their:
Proposed major (program of study)
Interests
Future academic/professional goals
Grade Point Average
ACT/SAT Scores
The USDA Agency Personnel uses the information to:
Determine if the applicants are a good fit for the agency based on their:
Proposed major (program of study)
Interests
Future academic/professional goals
Grade Point Average
ACT/SAT Scores
This process takes place once a year from February 1st until the yearly scholar selection process concludes in May.
The information that will be collected is being used to select the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program particpates. The process normally concludes at the end of May.
Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also, describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is an on-line application located on the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program website (www.usda.gov/1890program.xml). The USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) is currently developing a complete online application process for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, in which applications will be completed and submitted via an online portal. Upon the development of the online portal, USDA OPPE will submit a change request to include a screenshot of the portal.
Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose described in item 2 above.
USDA is the only agency (Department) that collects this information.
If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.
This collection does not impact small businesses or other small entities.
Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program would not be able to function consistently without this annual collection.
Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;
requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;
Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:
that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
The information collection is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines established in 5 CFR 1320.5.
If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments.
A public notice with request for comments for this application was published in the Federal Register regarding this information collection and program guidelines. The noticed was published on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, Vol. 87, Pg. 2589. No comments were received during the allotted time.
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting form, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Dr. Harold Mellieon (University Professor)
Naila McCraney (Graduate Student)
Troy Joshua (Agency Coordinator)
Individuals reviewed and completed application to assess time needed to complete package and clarity of questions. All three were ok with the application as it is.
Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
This information collection activity involves no payments or gifts to respondents.
Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
“No additional assurance of confidentiality is provided with this information collection. Any and all information obtained in this collection shall not be disclosed except in accordance with 5 U.S.C.552a.”
Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
This information collection activity will ask no questions of a personal or sensitive nature.
Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:
Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.
Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.
Respondents: USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Applicants
Note: Three individuals (high school student, teacher, and guidance counselor)
complete a section of each application
Estimated number of respondents to complete all sections of application... 2,000
Estimated Average time to complete whole application………… 2.00 hrs.
Applicant section………………… 1 hours
Teacher section…………………… 30 minutes
Counselor section………………… 30 minutes
Estimated Average time per respondent……………………………… 1 hour
Estimated number of respondents per application…………………… 3
Estimated total Annual Response……………………………………… 2,000
Estimated total Collection Burden…………………………………… 4,000 hours
Estimated hour burden of the collection of information from currently enrolled college student
Respondents: USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Applicants
Note: Three individuals (college student, college professor, and department head, dean of college, or one of the Vice Presidents of University) complete a section of each application
Estimated number of Respondents to complete all sections of application.... 300
Estimated Average time to complete whole application………………… 2.00 hours
Applicant section………………… 1.0 hours
Professor section………………… 30 minutes
Department Head, Dean, or Vice President
of University section…………… 30 minutes
Estimated Average time per respondent……………………………… 1.0 hour
Estimated number of respondents per application…………………… 3
Estimated total Annual Response……………………………………… 300
Estimated total Collection Burden……………………………………… 600 hours
Total Estimated hour burden of the collection of information per scholarship cycle
Estimated total Annual Response……………………………………… 2,300
Estimated total Collection Burden……………………………………… 4,600 hours
Estimated annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens of the collection of information from graduating high school senior
Burdens for collections of information……………………………… $312,800.00
Applicant section ($15.00/hr. @ 1 hours)…………………… $ 15.00
Teacher section ($63.20/hr. @ 0.50 hours)………………… $ 31.60
Counselor section ($63.20/hr. @ 0.50 hours)……………… $ 31.60
___________________________________________________ _____
Burden cost for collection $ 78.20
Estimated annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens of the collection of information from currently enrolled college student
Burdens for collections of information……………………………… $ 53,016.00
Applicant section ($15.00/hr. @ 1.0 hours)…………………… $ 15.00
Professor section ($71.73/hr. @ .50 hours)………………… $ 35.86
Department Head, Dean, or Vice President
of University section ($75/hr. @ 0.50 hours)……………… $ 37.50
___________________________________________________ _____
Burden cost for collection $88.36
Total Estimated annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens of the collection of information per scholarship cycle
Burdens for collections of information for high school applicants……… $ 312,800.00
Burdens for collections of information for college applicants…………… $ 53,016.00
________________________________________ ___________ _____
Burden cost for collection total $ 365,816.00
Applicant completes his/her section of application and forwards the other two sections to teacher and counselor or to professor and department head, dean, or university vice president for completion. Applicant wages based on minimum wages + general mailing cost associated with mailing document. Teacher and counselor, professor, department head, and university vice president average salaries were used. Applicant spends around than two hours completing their required section and teacher and counselor utilizes less than one hour each to complete their section. The cost of fringed benefits is included.
Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in items 12 and 14). The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.
There is zero annual cost burden associated with capital or start-up costs.
Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. The cost of fringed benefits is included.
Annual Federal Government Cost
Estimated Mailing Cost + Shipping/Handling for NSPM to send applications to
University & others…………………………(Application online) $ 0
Estimated Printing Cost of 10,000 Applications. …(Application Online) $ 0
Estimated Mailing cost/university to mail applications to candidates
$130.00 x 19 Universities……………………………………………… $ 0
Estimated Travel Time for Recruiting 10% of
salary ($115,000 = $11,500) x 19 Universities……………… $ 218,500.00
Estimated time for Ag Liaison Officer to screen applications upon receipt
25 applications averaged/university
30 minutes each = 12.5 hours X $55/hr = $687.50.50/University X 19 … $13,062.50
Hours prepping applications for screening by University selection committee
3 hours @ $37/hr. = $ 111.00 x 19 Universities = …………………… $ 2,109.00
Mailing cost per university ($47) to mail applicants to NSPM… $ 893.00
NSPM development of Profiles for distribution to Agencies & Prep
$47/hr. x 2 hours x 19 Universities………………………………… $ 1,786.00
Total Annual Federal Government Cost…………………………………… $ 236,350.50
Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-1.
There is an increase in the number of respondents, responses and burden hours. The increase is due to more applicant applying for the program. Also, the time it takes to complete the application for the students changed from 2 hours to 1 based on the overview of the application from program personnel.
For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.
The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement has no plans to publish information it collects in connection with this program.
If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement will display the date and OMB control number.
Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act."
The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement can certify compliance with all provisions in the Act.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | USDA |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2022-04-01 |