[Federal Register: September 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 174)]
[Notices]
[Page 54650-54651]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09se04-51]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, Public Law 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 should be sent to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Brenda Aguilar, OMB Desk Officer for the
Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Management
and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-7316, within 30
days from the date of publication in this Federal Register.
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 document has been submitted to OMB for consideration
concerning a proposed revision to an earlier OMB-approved form. It is
The Voucher and Payment Request Form (OMB 3045-0014).
This is the document by which an AmeriCorps member accesses 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 document was published in the Federal Register on June 8, 2004,
for a 60-day pre-clearance public comment period. A caller commented on
unclear wording, which has been modified. Only one organization, a
school, requested a copy of the document. Its suggestion was
incorporated into the version now being presented to OMB for
consideration. The form is discussed below.
Voucher and Payment Request Form
Type of Review: Renewal.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: Voucher and Payment Request Form.
OMB Number: OMB 3045-0014.
Agency Number: None.
Affected Public: Individuals who have completed a term of national
service and who wish to access their educational award accounts.
Total Respondents: 69,000 annually (estimated annual average over
the next 3 years).
Frequency: Experience has shown that some members may not ever use
the
[[Page 54651]]
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.
Description
After completing a period of national and community service, the
AmeriCorps member 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, and includes space to indicate the
disbursement period. 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 09/2004.
Analysis of Comments Received During the Public Comment Period
One comment was received from an educational institution. It
suggested the member indicate the disbursement period for the requested
payment on the form so that the school would not need to contact the
student for that information. Another person commented on the reference
to ``an eligible program'', which he found unclear. Both comments were
incorporated into the revised form.
Dated: August 30, 2004.
Ruben Wiley,
Manager, National Service Trust.
[FR Doc. 04-20386 Filed 9-8-04; 8:45 am]