[Federal Register: February 25, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 37)]
[Notices]
[Page 9276-9277]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25fe05-44]
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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 Forbearance Request for National Service Form
(OMB Number 3045-0030). 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 April 26, 2005.
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;
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.
Send comments to Bruce Kellogg, National Service Trust, Corporation
for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC, 20525.
[[Page 9277]]
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. After successfully
completing a period of national service in an AmeriCorps project, an
AmeriCorps member receives an ``education award'' that can be used to
repay qualified student loans or pay for post secondary educational
expenses. This award is an amount of money set aside in the member's
``account'' in the National Service Trust Fund. Members have seven
years in which to draw against any unused balance.
By law, during the period of time the AmeriCorps members are
participating in national service, they are eligible for a postponement
(specifically, a forbearance) on the repayment of many federal student
loans, and possibly on other student loans they have as well. The
purpose of this is to temporarily suspend their obligation to make loan
payments while they are earning a minimal living allowance in their
national service position. Interest may continue to accrue during this
period, but payments are not required.
In order for a loan holder to make a decision regarding the
granting of certain types of forbearances and deferments, it requires
proof that the borrower meets the criteria for obtaining the particular
type of postponement. For example, for verification of military service
or student status, certification made by an authorized military or
school official attests that the conditions for the postponement are
being met.
The purpose of the enclosed Forbearance Request for National
Service Form is to provide AmeriCorps members a vehicle for requesting
this forbearance. It also serves as a method for the participating
programs to verify that the individual is serving in an approved
national service position, thereby meeting the criteria for the
mandatory forbearance based on national service.
II. Current Action
Currently, AmeriCorps members use an OMB-approved form titled
Forbearance Request for National Service to obtain certification that
they are eligible for forbearance based on their service. The form also
serves as the borrower's official request to their loan companies for
forbearance. Only the loan holder can grant forbearance.
The current form has been adopted by many of the larger loan
holders (e.g., Sallie Mae) and is given to their borrowers with the
loan holders' own logo at the top of the forms. 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 it 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, or student status.
The Corporation for National and Community Service seeks to
continue using this particular form, albeit in a revised version. Along
with minor formatting changes, such as replacing boxes with lines for
the member's name and SSN to enhance legibility, the one significant
modification designates the authorized program official as the
certifying official for this form, in place of the National Service
Trust official. Program certifying officials currently certify member
enrollments and exits, and authorize education awards. Certifying,
including verifying member information, signing, and mailing takes one
minute per form. As the estimate for the member to complete that
portion of the form is generous, the changes impose no additional
burden.
The Corporation seeks to continue using this particular form,
albeit in a revised version. The current form is due to expire May 31,
2005.
Type of Review: Renewal.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: Forbearance Request for National Service Form.
OMB Number: 3045-0030.
Agency Number: None.
Affected Public: Individuals who have enrolled in a term of
national service who wish to postpone loan payments on qualified loans
while they serve.
Total Respondents: 16,000 responses annually (estimated annual
average over the next three years).
Frequency: Experience has shown that some members do not have any
qualified student loans and others have several).
Average Time Per Response: Total of 10 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.
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: February 17, 2005.
Ruben Wiley,
Manager, National Service Trust.
[FR Doc. 05-3602 Filed 2-24-05; 8:45 am]