[Federal Register: February 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 25)] [Notices] [Page 6062-6063] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr08fe99-64] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs--Distance Education Demonstration Program AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of regional meetings to provide advice and technical assistance to institutions of higher education (institutions), systems of institutions, and consortia of institutions that are (1) interested in applying to participate in the Distance Education Demonstration Program authorized under section 486 of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, or (2) interested in providing Federal financial aid to students enrolled in distance education programs. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education (Secretary) will conduct three regional meetings in the District of Columbia, San Francisco, and Denver to provide advice and technical assistance to potential applicants of the Distance Education Demonstration Program and to other institutions interested in providing Federal financial aid to students enrolled in distance education programs. DATES: The regional meetings will be held on February 11, 1999 in the District of Columbia, February 17, 1999 in San Francisco, California, and February 19, 1999 in Denver, Colorado. ADDRESSES: Marianne R. Phelps, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW (ROB-3, Room 4082), Washington, DC 20202-5257. Telephone: (202) 708-5547. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marianne R. Phelps at (202) 708-5547 or E-Mail to DistanceDemo@ed.gov. Information regarding the program can also be found on the Web site of the Department of Education (http:// www.ed.gov). If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) you may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877- 8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On October 7, 1998, President Clinton signed into law Pub. L. 105- 244, the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, amending the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). This legislation established the Distance Education Demonstration Program. Under this program, up to a total of 15 institutions, systems of institutions, or consortia of institutions may offer Title IV, HEA financial assistance to students enrolled in distance education programs without being subject to certain statutory and regulatory provisions, which the Secretary may waive, upon their request. As described in section 486(a) of the HEA, the purpose of the program is to-- (1) Allow demonstration programs that are strictly monitored by the Department of Education to test the quality and viability of expanded distance education programs currently restricted under this Act; (2) Provide for increased student access to higher education through distance education programs; and (3) Help determine the-- (A) Most effective means of delivering quality education via distance education course offerings; [[Page 6063]] (B) Specific statutory and regulatory requirements which should be altered to provide greater access to high quality distance education programs; and (C) Appropriate level of federal assistance for students enrolled in distance education programs. The Secretary anticipates publishing a notice inviting applications for participation in the Distance Education Demonstration Program in the Federal Register during the first week of February, 1999. This notice will specify the eligibility requirements for participation in the Distance Education Demonstration Program, the statutory and regulatory provisions that may be waived, the application requirements, and the criteria that will be used to select participants. Regional Hearings Interested parties are invited to attend three regional meetings that will provide advice and technical assistance about applying to participate in the Distance Education Demonstration Program and providing Federal financial aid to students enrolled in distance education programs. The regional meetings will begin with a brief description of eligibility requirements for the Distance Education Demonstration Program and the application and selection processes for this program. Then, individuals will be provided an opportunity to ask questions regarding the application process and other matters relating to the Distance Education Demonstration Program. Department of Education staff with expertise on various issues relating to the Distance Education Demonstration Program will be available to answer these questions. Questions regarding eligibility and administration of Title IV, HEA student financial assistance programs may be relevant to institutions' interest in applying for the Distance Education Demonstration Program. Accordingly, during the course of the meeting, Department staff will also address questions that relate generally to the administration of aid in distance education programs. The Department of Education has reserved a limited number of hotel rooms at each of the following hotels at a special government per diem room rate. To reserve these rates, be certain to inform the hotel that you are attending the regional hearings with the Department of Education. The hearing sites are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Department will provide a sign language interpreter at each of the scheduled hearings. An individual with a disability who will need an auxiliary aid or service other than an interpreter to participate in the meeting (e.g., assistive listening device, or materials in an alternative format) should notify the contact person listed in this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date. Although the Department will attempt to meet a request received after that date, the requested auxiliary aid or service may not be available because of insufficient time to arrange it. Dates, Times, and Locations of Regional Hearings. 1. February 11, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Call (202) 842-1300 for hotel reservations. Sleeping room rate: $115 plus taxes. Reservations must be made by January 28th. 2. February 17, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, 1500 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California 94109. Call 1- 800-Holiday or (415) 441-4000 for hotel reservations. Sleeping room rates: $129 plus taxes. Reservations must be made by February 3rd. 3. February 19, 1999, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Adams Marc Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver, Colorado 80202. Call 1-303-893-3333 for hotel reservations. Sleeping room rate: $80 plus taxes. Reservations must be made by February 5th. Electronic Access to This Document Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register, in Text or portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the following sites: http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg/htm http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg/html To use the pdf, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with Search, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498. Authority: Sec. 488 of Pub. L. 105-244, enacted October 7, 1998. Dated: February 2, 1999. David A. Longanecker, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. 99-2917 Filed 2-5-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-M