Commerce's Scholarship Forms Spark Bureaucratic Paperwork Reduction Paradox
Published Date: 12/8/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking for public feedback on their plan to keep and improve how they collect info for their college scholarships, fellowships, and internships in ocean and atmospheric science. This helps make sure the forms aren’t too tricky and reach more students, especially from underrepresented groups. Comments are open until February 6, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up before the paperwork gets finalized!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Large paperwork time burden for applicants
NOAA estimates 4,294 respondents and a total annual burden of 11,902.50 hours for its scholarship, fellowship, and internship information collections. Individual forms include applications that take about 12 hours, reference forms about 1 hour, a Student Tracker Form about 28 hours, and other surveys ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 hours. The NOAA estimates an annual public cost of $75 in recordkeeping/reporting costs.
Hollings Preparation materials removed
NOAA is removing the Hollings Preparation Program Application and Surveys from this information collection. If you would have completed those Hollings Preparation Program application or survey forms, you will no longer be asked to submit them under this collection.
Optional demographic data collection removed
NOAA is removing the Student Opportunities Optional Demographic Data Collection from this information collection. Applicants who would have been asked for optional demographic information under Student Opportunities will not be asked to provide that optional demographic data as part of this collection.
Electronic applications required (almost all)
NOAA requires electronic applications and electronic forms submitted primarily by email and internet transmission; less than 1% of application and reference forms may be mailed. If you apply, you will generally need to submit forms electronically.
Two NOAA programs no longer actively support students
The NOAA Educational Partnership Program notes that the Graduate Sciences Program (GSP) and the Environmental Entrepreneurship Program (EEP) are no longer actively supporting students; however, alumni of those programs may still provide updates to EPP/MSI about educational and career changes.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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