Search Results for keywords:"U.S. Department of Education"

The U.S. Department of Education is announcing the availability of funding for the Disability Innovation Fund—Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project. This initiative aims to support state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies in developing career pathways to assist individuals with disabilities in advancing their careers, especially in high-demand fields like STEM. The program focuses on improving employment outcomes and reducing reliance on public benefits. Grants will be awarded to projects that create partnerships with various stakeholders to develop training and support services tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Education has decided to withdraw a proposed rule that aimed to offer targeted student debt relief, clarify existing debt collection regulations, and specify conditions under which the Secretary could use their authority to waive student loan repayments. The Department received almost 150,000 comments on the proposal but identified operational challenges in implementing the changes. With the current administration focusing on helping borrowers return to repayment, especially after a recent support period, the decision to withdraw allows the Department to reconsider its approach and maintain flexibility for future initiatives. The decision does not change the Department's belief in its authority under the Higher Education Act to offer such debt relief.

The U.S. Department of Education has announced the timeline and application process for the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program grants for fiscal year 2021. These grants are aimed at helping rural school districts with unique challenges by providing funds on a formula basis to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs). Eligible LEAs must submit their applications electronically by April 16, 2021, using the OMB Max Survey platform. The Department will ensure that eligible LEAs receive the necessary application links and instructions by February 10, 2021, and emphasizes the importance of submitting applications on time to ensure funding.

The U.S. Department of Education is asking the public to submit written comments regarding accrediting agencies that are being reviewed for recognition by the Secretary of Education. This review process is set for the winter 2022 meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). Agencies under review include several councils and committees related to medical and educational accreditation, such as the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Council on Chiropractic Education. Comments must be submitted by email by February 19, 2021, and should include specific information about the commenter.

The U.S. Department of Education issued a correction notice regarding their invitation for grant applications under the Disability Innovation Fund—Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project. Initially, the department announced that applications would be available on January 7, 2021, with a deadline of April 7, 2021, but applications were actually available starting January 8, 2021. As a result, the department extended the application deadline to April 8, 2021, and updated the intergovernmental review deadline to June 7, 2021. These adjustments ensure applicants have the intended 90 days to prepare and submit their applications.

The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) is holding a meeting on February 19-20, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meeting will focus on reviewing compliance reports from various accrediting agencies, with NACIQI members attending in person and other participants joining virtually. The public can register to participate and can also request to make short oral comments at the meeting. NACIQI advises the U.S. Department of Education on matters related to educational accreditation and institutional eligibility.

The U.S. Department of Education is opening applications for new grants under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA). This initiative is aimed at public and nonprofit universities and colleges that did not receive prior funding under a similar program in the CARES Act. The CRRSAA provides about $22.7 billion for higher education, with grants intended to cover pandemic-related costs, support student activities, and offer financial aid to students. The Department will automatically provide supplemental funds to eligible institutions that have already received grants from the previous CARES Act but requires new applications from institutions that did not.