[Federal Register: December 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 249)] [Notices] [Page 73023-73024] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29de99-68] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice-Computer Matching between the U.S. Department of Education and the Social Security Administration. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of l988, Pub.L. 100-503, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs, a notice is hereby given of the computer matching program between the U.S. Department of Education (ED) (the recipient agency), and the Social Security Administration (SSA) (the source agency). The following notice represents the approval of a new computer matching agreement by the SSA and ED Data Integrity Boards to implement the matching program on the effective date as indicated below. In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub.L. 100-503), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Final Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs (see 54 FR 25818, June 19, 1989), and OMB Circular A-130, we are providing the following information: 1. Names of Participating Agencies The U.S. Department of Education and the Social Security Administration. 2. Purpose of Match ED is one of several Federal agencies to operate benefit programs that have statutory requirements to reduce, suspend, or terminate benefits to those who are incarcerated. Sections 484(a)(5)(20 U.S.C. 1091) and 401(b)(8)(20 U.S.C. 1070a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) provide that an incarcerated student is ineligible for loans under the Title IV student financial assistance programs and that students incarcerated in any Federal or State penal institution are ineligible for Federal Pell Grant assistance. The SSA, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and various State and local entities developed a database of persons who are incarcerated. On April 25, 1998, the White House directed ED to coordinate its efforts to enforce the requirements of sections 484(a)(5)(20 U.S.C. 1091) and 401(b)(8)(20 U.S.C. 1070a) of the HEA with SSA by accessing SSA's prisoner database. This computer matching program will provide an efficient and comprehensive method of identifying incarcerated applicants who are ineligible to received student financial assistance under the Title IV programs. 3. Legal Authority for Conducting the Matching Program ED is authorized to participate in the matching program under Title IV section 484(a)(5)(20 U.S.C. 1091) and 401(b)(8)(20 U.S.C. 1071a) of the HEA. SSA is authorized to participate in the matching program under 42 U.S.C. 1382(e)(1)(I)(ii). 4. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match ED will submit for verification from its Central Processing System files (Federal Student Aid Application File (18-11-01)) the social security number (SSN) and other identifying information for each applicant for Title IV student financial assistance. This information will be matched against the SSA State Verification and Exchange System, which contains the SSN and other identifying information for all SSN holders. 5. Effective Dates of the Matching Program The matching program will become effective 40 days after a copy of the agreement, as approved by the Data Integrity Board of each agency, is sent to Congress and OMB (or later if OMB objects to some or all of the agreement), or 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months after the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if the conditions specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D) have been met. 6. Address for Receipt of Public Comments or Inquiries Individuals wishing to comment on this matching program or obtain additional information about the program including a copy of the computer matching agreement between ED and SSA should contact Ms. Edith Bell, Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Education, Room 3053, ROB- 3, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-5400. Telephone: (202) 708-8242. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877- 8339. You may inspect all public comments about this matching program at Regional Office Building 3, 7th and D Streets, SW, Room 3045, Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed. Electronic Access to this Document You may view this document in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following sites: http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm http://www.ed.gov/news.html http://ifap.ed.gov/csb__html/fedlreg.htm To use the PDF you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with Search, which is available free at the previous sites. If you have questions about using the PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), Toll free at 1-888-293-6498, or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO access at: http:// www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html [[Page 73024]] Dated: December 21, 1999. Jeanne VanVlandren, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Office of Student Financial Assistance. [FR Doc. 99-33744 Filed 12-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-U