This collection of information is necessary in order for the Secretary of Education to designate an institution of higher education eligible to apply for funding under Section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. An institution must apply to the Secretary to be designated as an eligible institution.
This collection of information is gathered electronically by the Department for the purpose of determining an institutionâs eligibility to participate in grant programs under Section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 based on its enrollment of needy students and low average Core Expenses per full-time equivalent student. This collection also allows an institution to request a waiver of certain non-Federal cost-share requirements under the Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Student Support Services Program.
The collection is paired with a computational exercise that results in the simultaneous publication of an Eligibility Matrix, a listing of postsecondary institutions potentially eligible to apply for grants in Institutional Service. Criteria derived from applicable legislation and regulations are applied to enrollment and financial data from Department sources to determine the eligibility of each institution for each program. Only those institutions that either do not meet the financial criteria or do not appear in the Eligibility Matrix need to go through the application process.
The results of the application process are a determination of eligibility for grant application and waiver, and updated information on institutional eligibility which is added to the Eligibility Matrix.
US Code:
20 USC 301
Name of Law: Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
The number of respondents and corresponding burden hours have been increased to more accurately reflect the number of applications expected for this program. In order to reach this current 4,900 total burden estimate, we reviewed data from the Fiscal Year 2025 eligibility designation application.
The estimated respondent hourly wage has been updated based on wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean hourly wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary was $59.83 as reported in May 2024 by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, at the link provided. This is the most appropriate labor category for the likely respondents to the applications. The total annual burden hours at this rate represents $293,167.00.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
2026 Eligibility Application Booklet
Response to OMB Comment for Designation as an Eligible Institution Under Section 312 of the HEA.docx
PC_202512-1840-002_011226_114602_1.pdf
Application for designation of eligibility to apply for Institutional Service (Titles III, V, and VII) grants