34 C.F.R. Subpart D—How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?
Title 34 - Education
(a) The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the criteria in §642.31. (1) The Secretary awards up to 100 points for these criteria. (2) The maximum possible score for each complete criterion is indicated in the parentheses next to the heading of that criterion. (b) In addition, for applicants that have conducted a Training Program project within the three fiscal years prior to the fiscal year for which the applicant is applying, the Secretary considers the experience of the applicant on the basis of §642.32. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d, 1070d-1d) The Secretary uses the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section to evaluate applications: (a) Plan of operation. (20 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project. (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows— (i) High quality in the design of the project; (ii) An effective plan of managment that insures proper and efficient administration of the project; (iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program; (iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective; and (v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as— (A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups; (B) Women; (C) Handicapped persons; and (D) The elderly. (b) Quality of key personnel. (20 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project. (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows— (i) The qualifications of the project director; (ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project; (iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the project; and (iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as— (A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups; (B) Women; (C) Handicapped persons; and (D) The elderly. (3) To determine the qualifications of a person, the Secretary considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields related to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the applicant provides. (c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective. (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows— (i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project activities; and (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project. (d) Evaluation plan. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project. (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable. (e) Adequacy of resources. (15 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the project. (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows— (i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate; and (ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are adequate. (f) Need. (25 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows a need for a Training Program project. (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows— (i) The extent to which the proposed training addresses a specific need not addressed by other training projects available to Federal TRIO Programs personnel; (ii) The extent to which the proposed training addresses a significant training need in the region(s) to be served; and (iii) The extent to which the proposed training addresses needs that are consistent with the topics required by statute and other topics chosen as priorities by the Secretary as authorized under §642.34. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 and 1070a–17) [47 FR 17788, Apr. 23, 1982, as amended at 58 FR 51519, Oct. 1, 1993] Effective Date Note: At 58 FR 51519, Oct. 1, 1993 in §642.31, paragraph (f)(2)(i) was amended by removing “Special Programs” and adding “Federal TRIO Programs” in their place, and (f)(2)(iii) was revised. This section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget. (a)(1) The Secretary gives priority to each applicant that has conducted a Training Program project under title IV-A-4 of the Higher Education Act within the three fiscal years prior to the fiscal year for which the applicant is applying. (2) To determine the number of priority points to be awarded each eligible applicant, the Secretary considers the applicant's prior experience of service delivery in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. (b)(1) The Secretary may add from one to eight points to the point score obtained on the basis of the selection criteria in §642.31, based on the applicant's success in meeting the administrative requirements and programmatic objectives of paragraph (c) of this section. (2) The maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in the parentheses preceding the criterion. (c) The Secretary—based on information contained in one or more of the following: Performance reports, audit reports, training site visit reports, evaluations by participants, project evaluation reports, the previously funded application, the negotiated program plan(s), and the application under consideration—looks for information that shows— (1) (2 points) The extent to which the project has served the number and kinds of training participants it was funded to serve; (2) (2 points) The extent to which participants benefited from training in areas such as— (i) Increased qualifications and skills in meeting the needs of disadvantaged students; and (ii) Increased knowledge and understanding of the Federal TRIO Programs; (3) (2 points) The extent to which the applicant has achieved other goals and objectives as stated in the previously funded application or negotiated program plan; and (4) (2 points) The extent to which the applicant has met the administrative requirements—including recordkeeping, reporting, and financial accountability—under the terms of the previously funded award. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11) [47 FR 24973, June 8, 1982, as amended at 58 FR 51520, Oct. 1, 1993] The Secretary, to the greatest extent possible, awards grants for Training Program projects that will be carried out in all of the regions of the Nation in order to assure accessibility to prospective training participants. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–17) (a) The Secretary, after consultation with regional and State professional associations of persons having special knowledge with respect to the training needs of Special Programs personnel, may select one or more of the following subjects as training priorities: (1) Basic skills instruction in reading, mathematics, written and oral communication, and study skills. (2) Counseling. (3) Assessment of student needs. (4) Academic tests and testing. (5) College and university admissions policies and procedures. (6) Student financial aid. (7) Cultural enrichment programs. (8) Career planning. (9) Tutorial programs. (10) Retention and graduation strategies. (11) Support services for persons of limited proficiency in English. (12) Support services for physically handicapped persons. (13) Strategies for preparing students for doctoral studies. (14) Project evaluation. (15) Budget management. (16) Personnel management. (17) Reporting student and project performance. (18) Coordinating project activities with other available resources and activities. (19) General project management for new directors. (20) Legislative and regulatory requirements for the operation of programs. (21) The design and operation of model programs for projects funded under the Federal TRIO Programs. (b) The Secretary annually funds training on the subjects listed in paragraphs (a)(6), (19), (20), and (21) of this section. (c) The Secretary may consider an application for a Training Program project that does not address one of the established priorities if the applicant addresses another significant training need in the local area being served by the Federal TRIO Programs. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 and 1070a–17) [54 FR 7737, Feb. 22, 1989, as amended at 58 FR 51520, Oct. 1, 1993]
Title 34: Education
PART 642—TRAINING PROGRAM FOR FEDERAL TRIO PROGRAMS
Subpart D—How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?
§ 642.30 How the Secretary evaluates an application for a new award.
§ 642.31 Selection criteria the Secretary uses.
§ 642.32 Prior experience.
§ 642.33 Geographic distribution.
§ 642.34 Priorities for funding.
