[Federal Register: June 8, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 110)]
[Notices]
[Page 31967-31968]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08jn04-39]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Proposed Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning the
proposed revision of its Voucher and Payment Request Form (OMB Number
3045-0014). Copies of the forms can be obtained by contacting the
office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
ADDRESSES section by August 9, 2004.
The Corporation is particularly interested in comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical
utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
[[Page 31968]]
Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written input to the Corporation by any of
the following methods:
(1) Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system
to Bruce Kellogg at Bkellogg@cns.gov.
(2) By fax to 202-565-2742, Attention Mr. Bruce Kellogg.
(3) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community
Service, National Service Trust Office, 8th Floor, Attn: Mr. Bruce
Kellogg, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525.
(4) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at
Room 6010 at the mail address given in paragraph (3) above, between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Bruce Kellogg, National Service Trust,
Corporation for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC, 20525.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Kellogg, (202) 606-5000, ext.
526.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Corporation for National and Community Service supports
programs that provide opportunities for individuals who want to become
involved in national service. The service opportunities cover a wide
range of activities over varying periods of time. Upon successfully
completing an agreed-upon term of service in an approved AmeriCorps
program, a national and community service participant--an AmeriCorps
member--receives an ``education award''. This award is an amount of
money set aside in the member's name in the National Service Trust
Fund. The education award can be used to make payments towards
qualified student loans or pay for educational expenses at qualified
post-secondary institutions and approved school-to-work opportunities
programs. Members have seven years in which to draw against any unused
balance.
The National Service Trust is the office within the Corporation
that administers the education award program. This involves tracking
the service for all AmeriCorps members, ensuring that certain
requirements of the Corporation's enabling legislation are met, and
processing school and loan payments that the members authorize.
II. Current Action
After an AmeriCorps member completes a period of national and
community service, the individual receives an education award that can
be used to pay against qualified student loans or pay for current post
secondary educational expenses. The Voucher and Payment Request Form is
the document that a member uses to access his or her account in the
National Service Trust.
The form serves three purposes: (1) The AmeriCorps member uses it
to request and authorize a specific payment to be made from his or her
account, (2) the school or loan company uses it to indicate the amount
for which the individual is eligible, and (3) the school or loan
company and member both certify that the payment meets various
legislative requirements. When the Corporation receives a voucher, it
is processed and the U.S. Treasury issues a payment to the loan holder
or school on behalf of the AmeriCorps member.
The form was first designed and some variation of it has been in
use since the summer of 1994. We are proposing revisions to clarify
certain sections of the existing form and to include terminology
included in recent legislative changes. The changes impose no
additional burden. The legislated change in terminology modifies the
definition of loans ``made directly to the student * * *'' to loans
``made, insured, or guaranteed directly to the student * * *''
Modifications to Section A clarify instructions to the member on
filling out that portion of the Voucher, especially the dollar amount
the member requests and authorizes. Similarly, modifications to Section
B clarify information provided to loan holders and educational
institutions, particularly in regard to stating the dollar amount for
educational expenses.
The Corporation seeks to continue using this particular form,
albeit in a revised version. The current form is due to expire June 30,
2004.
Type of Review: Renewal.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: Voucher and Payment Request Form.
OMB Number: 3045-0014.
Agency Number: None.
Affected Public: Individuals who have completed a term of national
service who wish to access their education award accounts.
Total Respondents: 69,000 responses annually (estimated annual
average over the next three years).
Frequency: Experience has shown that some members may not ever use
the education award and others use it several times a year).
Average Time Per Response: Total of 5 minutes (one half minute for
the AmeriCorps member's section and 4\1/2\ minutes for the school or
lender).
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,750 hours.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: June 2, 2004.
Ruben Wiley,
Manager, National Service Trust.
[FR Doc. 04-12947 Filed 6-7-04; 8:45 am]