FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title III, Section 302, 29 U.S.C. 774.

To support projects to provide academic training in areas of personnel shortages identified by the Secretary to increase the number of personnel trained in providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Applicant Eligibility: Institutions of Higher-Education, State vocational rehabilitation agencies (including territories/possessions), and other public or nonprofit agencies and organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Individuals preparing for employment in the field of rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.

Credentials/Documentation: An application should show evidence of current accreditation by or seeking of accreditation from the designated accreditation agency in the respective professional field. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.

Pre-application Coordination: The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure: Most new applications are made to Department of Education, Application Control Center, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-4725. Attention: 84.129. Most continuation applications are submitted to the appropriate Regional Office (listed in Appendix IV). This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure: Most new and continuation grants are awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration through its Regional Offices. All new applications are reviewed by a panel of at least three individuals. Each panel generally consists of nonfederal consultants with experience and training in the related field.

Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 120 to 160 days.

Appeals: None.

Renewals: Renewals are available only through the new application process. Projects with an approved multi-year project period may be continued based on the availability of adequate funds and an annual review of accomplishments to determine satisfactory performance.

Formula and Matching Requirements: The Federal share may not be more than 90 percent of the total cost of a project under this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Projects are generally supported for a maximum of 5 years; funds are granted on a 12-month basis. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

Reports: Annual financial and progress reports must be submitted as required by grant award terms and conditions.

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records: Proper records must be maintained for a period of time equal to the time required to fulfill the obligations of each grantee to determine whether a scholar has met the work-or-repay provision in 34 CFR 386.34, or until all audit questions are resolved.

Account Identification: 91-0301-0-1-506.

Obligations: (Grants and Contracts) FY 01 $25,000,000; FY 02 est $25,000,000; and FY 03 est $25,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $70,000 to $100,000. Average: $100,000.

Approximately 1,200 students were supported under this grant program in fiscal year 2001.

Regulations can be found in 34 CFR 385-386.

Regional or Local Office: Rehabilitation Services Administration Regional Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses.

Headquarters Office: Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-2649. Contact: Tim Muzzio. Telephone: (202) 205-8926.

Web Site Address:  http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/RSA.

1) Residency scholarships in physical medicine and rehabilitation; 2) graduate scholarships in rehabilitation counseling; 3) graduate scholarships in rehabilitation administration; and 4) undergraduate scholarships in the rehabilitation service.

The relevance of the purpose of the content and the training project to the administratively established mission of the public rehabilitation program and the objectives of the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The methodology to be employed in implementing the project and its feasibility for the achievement of the established educational objectives. The existence of a working relationship with the State vocational rehabilitation agency and other agencies and rehabilitation facilities providing vocational rehabilitation services. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations 34 CFR 385-386.