A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 538

Urban Community Service Program

(CFDA No. 84.252)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, Title XI, Part A, as amended, (20 U.S.C. 1136 et seq.) (expires September 30, 1997).

Purpose: To encourage urban academic institutions to work with private and civic organizations to devise and implement solutions to pressing and severe problems in their urban communities.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1992	$8,000,000
1993	9,424,000
1994	10,606,000

II. Program Information and Analysis

Population Targeting

Institutions of higher education that are designated as "urban grant institutions" are eligible to apply for a grant. In designating eligible institutions, the Secretary determines whether an institution meets seven statutory requirements that demonstrate the institution's ability to meet the purpose of this program. The requirements include measures of institutional capacity, past service, and commitment to the community. The Higher Education Amendments of 1992 expanded the definition of an urban area to include metropolitan areas with a population of 350,000 and above; previously the standard was 500,000 and above.

Services

Participating institutions may engage in planning, applied research, training, resource exchanges or technology transfers, delivery of services, or other activities to design and implement programs to assist urban communities to meet and address their pressing and severe problems. Multi-year projects of from 3 to 5 years are currently in effect.

In FY 1992, an average of $470,588 was awarded to 17 institutions of higher education and in FY 1993, an average of $409,739 was awarded for 17 continuation grants and 6 new grants.

Program Administration

Eligible urban academic institutions compete for grants on an annual basis when funds are available. An institution may not receive a grant individually or as a participant in a consortium of institutions for more than five years. Grants are awarded in a manner that achieves an equitable geographic distribution of grants throughout the Nation. Applicants that propose to conduct joint projects supported by other local, State, and Federal programs receive funding priority.

Management Improvement Strategies

The Department conducts site visits to ascertain project compliance and provide individualized assistance. A technical assistance conference was conducted in FY 1994 to assist grantees with issues pertaining to grant administration and evaluation and dissemination of project results.

III. Sources of Information

Program files

IV. Planned Studies

The Office of the Under Secretary is planning a study in 1995 that will examine ways to improve performance reporting for this program.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operations:: Patricia W. Gore, (202) 708-8849
Program Studies:: Gregory Henschel, (202) 401-0182

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[Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program]