[Federal Register: May 31, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 103)]
[Notices]
[Page 30932-30933]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31my05-24]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service, CORP.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service
(hereinafter the ``Corporation'') has submitted a public information
collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review and approval in accordance with the Paper Reduction Act of
1995, Pub. L. 104-13, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, with
applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the
Corporation for National and Community Service, Bruce Kellogg, at (202)
606-5000, extension 526. Individuals who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TTY-TDD) may call (800) 833-3722 between the hours
of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern standard time, Monday through Friday.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the
information collection activity, to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Katherine Astrich, OMB Desk Officer for
the Corporation for National and Community Service, by any of the
following two methods within 30 days from the date of publication in
this Federal Register:
(1) By fax to: (202) 395-6974, Attention: Ms. Katherine Astrich,
OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community
Service; and
(2) Electronically by e-mail to:
Katherine_T._Astrich@omb.eop.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB 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;
Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including 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.
An ICR package has been submitted to OMB for consideration
concerning two forms, each a proposed revision to an earlier OMB-
approved form. They are:
(1) The Forbearance Request Form (OMB 3045-0030), and
(2) The Interest Accrual Form (OMB 3045-0053).
These are the forms by which AmeriCorps members first request
postponement, during their term of service, of their obligation to make
payments on qualified student loans and then access the interest
payment benefit that they have earned by successfully completing their
service. Both forms are important for AmeriCorps members who have
outstanding qualified student loans during their period of national
service.
The document was published in the Federal Register on February 25,
2005,
[[Page 30933]]
for a 60-day pre-clearance public comment period. Only one organization
commented on the proposed revisions to the document. It made numerous
suggestions, mostly regarding format and wording, which were
incorporated wherever possible into the version now being presented to
OMB for consideration. Each form will be individually discussed below.
A. Forbearance Request Form
Type of Review: Renewal.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: Forbearance Request Form.
OMB Number: 3045-0030.
Agency Number: None.
Affected Public: AmeriCorps members and the holders of their
qualified student loans.
Total Respondents: 16,000 annually.
Frequency: Average of once per year of national service per loan.
Average Time per Response: Ten minutes (nine minutes for the
AmeriCorps member's section and one minute for certification).
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,667 hours.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
Description
AmeriCorps members may request a suspension of their obligation to
repay most qualified student loans not in default during their service
period. The purpose of the forbearance is to accommodate the minimal
living allowance they receive while they complete their term of
service, although interest continues to accrue during this period.
Currently, AmeriCorps members use an OMB-approved form entitled
Forbearance Request for National Service to obtain certification that
they are in an approved national service position. The form also serves
as the borrower's official request to the loan companies for
forbearance. Only the loan holder can grant forbearance.
The form was originally developed with the assistance of
representatives of several student loan associations. Having a separate
form for forbearance based on AmeriCorps service clearly distinguishes
that criterion from forbearance requests based on one of the other
conditions for which a borrower may be eligible--e.g., military
service, employment in certain low income areas, student status.
The Corporation seeks to continue using this particular form,
albeit in a revised version. Along with formatting and wording changes
to enhance clarity and consistency, the one significant modification
designates the authorized program official as the certifying official
for the form, in place of the Corporation official. Program certifying
officials currently certify member enrollments and exits, and authorize
education awards.
The current form is due to expire May 31, 2005.
Analysis of Comments Received During the Public Comment Period
One comment was received from an association of loan servicing
organizations. It provided a number of wording and formatting
suggestions, most of which have been incorporated in the form. It also
recommends a greater use of electronic technology in the loan payment
process, a development with which the Corporation concurs.
B. Interest Accrual Form
Type of Review: Renewal.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: Interest Accrual Form.
OMB Number: 3045-0053.
Agency Number: None.
Affected Public: AmeriCorps members and the holders of their
qualified student loans.
Total Respondents: 7,000 annually.
Frequency: Average of once per year of national service per loan.
Average Time per Response: 10 minutes, total (three minutes for the
AmeriCorps member to complete the form and seven minutes for the loan
holder).
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,167 hours.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
Description
The Corporation's legislation requires that it pay all or a portion
of the interest that accrues during a period of national service for
those who successfully complete their service and have had their loans
in forbearance during the service. The intent is to keep the qualified
student loan debt of an AmeriCorps member from increasing during the
period of service. Using the current form, AmeriCorps members complete
the top section and indicate their dates of service. Then they mail the
form to the loan holder who indicates the total amount of interest that
accrued during the service period, or indicates a daily accrual rate.
The loan holder also adds the address where the payment should be sent
and returns the form to the National Service Trust. When the
Corporation receives this information, it is reviewed for accuracy and
is either paid or returned to the loan holder or lender for additional
information.
Along with a number of changes modifying wording and format for
greater consistency and clarity, for example, by replacing boxes with
lines and restating instructions, the Corporation requests the name of
the lending agency be cited in cases where the loan is made by a state
agency, in accordance with recent legislative changes.
The current form is due to expire May 31, 2005.
Analysis of Comments Received During the Public Comment Period
One comment was received from an association of loan servicing
organizations. It provided a number of wording and formatting
suggestions, most of which have been incorporated in the form. It also
recommends a greater use of electronic technology in the loan payment
process, a development with which the Corporation concurs.
Dated: May 25, 2005.
Ruben Wiley,
Manager, National Service Trust.
[FR Doc. 05-10772 Filed 5-27-05; 8:45 am]