[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 34, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 34CFR32.10]

[Page 69-70]
 
                           TITLE 34--EDUCATION
 
PART 32_SALARY OFFSET TO RECOVER OVERPAYMENTS OF PAY OR ALLOWANCES 
FROM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION EMPLOYEES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 32.10  Deductions process.

    (a) Debts must be collected in one lump sum where possible. If the 
employee does not agree to a lump sum that exceeds 15 percent of 
disposable pay, the debt must be collected in installment deductions at 
officially established pay intervals in the amount established under:
    (1) A voluntary repayment agreement;
    (2) An involuntary repayment schedule where no hearing is requested; 
or
    (3) The schedule established under the written hearing decision.

[[Page 70]]

    (b) Installment deductions must be made over a period not greater 
than the anticipated period of employment, except as provided under 
paragraph (d) of this section. If possible, the installment payment must 
be sufficient in size and frequency to liquidate the debt in, at most, 
three years. Installment payments of less than $25 may be accepted only 
in the most unusual circumstances.
    (c) Deductions must begin:
    (1) After the employee has entered a voluntary repayment schedule;
    (2) If a waiver is requested under Sec. 32.4(b), after the employee 
has been denied a waiver by the Secretary; or
    (3) If a hearing is requested under Sec. 32.5, after a written 
decision.
    (d) If the employee retires or resigns or his or her employment ends 
before collection of the debt is completed, the amount necessary to 
liquidate the debt must be offset from subsequent payments of any nature 
(for example, final salary payment and/or lump sum annual leave payment) 
due the employee on the date of separation. If the debt cannot be 
liquidated by offset from any such final payment due the employee on the 
date of separation, the debt must be liquidated by administrative offset 
pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3716 from later payments of any kind due the 
employee, where appropriate. After the Secretary has complied with the 
procedures in this part, the Secretary may refer the debt to a paying 
agency for collection by offset under 5 CFR 550.1108.
    (e) Interest, penalties and administrative costs on debts collected 
under this part must be assessed, in accordance with the provisions of 4 
CFR 102.13.
    (f) An employee's payment, whether voluntary or involuntary, of all 
or any portion of an alleged debt collected pursuant to this part may 
not be construed as a waiver of any rights which the employee may have 
under this part or any other provision of law, except as otherwise 
provided by law.
    (g) Amounts paid or deducted pursuant to this part by an employee 
for a debt that is waived or otherwise found not owing to the United 
States or which the Secretary is ordered to refund must be promptly 
refunded to the employee.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5514; 31 U.S.C. 3716)