[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11948-11949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6404]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Public Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and 
respondent burden, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to comment on this 
information collection. This request for comment is being made pursuant 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)). Comments should address the accuracy of the burden 
estimates and ways to minimize the burden including the use of 
automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology, as well as other relevant aspects of the 
information collection.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposal for the 
collection of information should be received on or before May 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans 
Benefits Administration (20S52), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. All comments will become a 
matter of public record and will be summarized in the VBA request for 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. In this document VBA is 
soliciting comments concerning the following information collection:
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0465.
    Title and Form Numbers: Student Verification of Enrollment, VA 
Forms 22-8979 and 22-8979-1.

(Note: VA Forms 22-8979 and 22-8979-1 collect the same information. 
VA Form 22-8979 is electronically generated for monthly mailings 
while VA Form 22-8979-1 is printed and distributed to VA regional 
offices for individual use.)

    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Need and Uses: The form is used by students in certifying 
attendance and continued enrollment in courses leading

[[Page 11949]]

to a standard college degree or in non-college degree programs. The 
information is used to determine the individual's continued entitlement 
to VA benefits.
    Current Actions: Public Law 98-525 established a new education 
program under Chapter 30, Title 38, U.S.C. It is available to 
individuals initially entering active duty on or after July l, 1985 
(Category I eligibility) and to individuals eligible under Chapter 34, 
Title 38, U.S.C., who meet service requirements imposed by Public Law 
99-576 (Category II eligibility). Individuals with Category II 
eligibility became eligible for Chapter 30 benefits effective January 
1, 1990. Public Law 102-484 established an additional Category of 
eligibility (Category III). Category III includes all persons 
previously ineligible for Chapter 30 who are separated from active duty 
under two special release programs. Title 38, U.S.C., Section 3034(b) 
requires certification of actual attendance by the student and 
verification of that student's continued enrollment before payment can 
be released. Public Law 99-576 allowed this information to be collected 
without certification by an institution. VA Form 22-8979 serves as the 
form for reporting necessary certification of actual attendance and 
verification of the student's continued enrollment for claimants 
pursuing college programs. Since the previous submission, Public Law 
104-201 was enacted into law and added two additional categories of 
individuals eligible for Chapter 30 that would use this information 
collection. The first additional category pertains to individuals that 
previously participated in Chapter 32, who meet certain specifications 
set by law, and elect to receive Chapter 30 benefits. The second 
additional category pertains to individuals that entered the National 
Guard between certain dates, meet certain specifications set by law, 
and elect to receive Chapter 30 benefits.
    VA is authorized to pay educational benefits to veterans and other 
eligible persons pursuing approved programs not leading to a standard 
college degree under Chapters 30, 32, and 35, Title 38, U.S.C.; Chapter 
1606, Title 10, U.S.C.; and Section 903 of Public Law 96-342. VA Form 
22-8979 serves as the form for reporting necessary certification of 
actual attendance and verification of the student's continued 
enrollment for claimant's pursuing non-college degree programs.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 189,000 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: 7 times per year (The frequency is based on 
the average number of months each student will train.)
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 324,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 2,268,000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the form should be directed to Department of Veterans 
Affairs, Attn: Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration 
(20S52), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20420, Telephone (202) 273-7079 or FAX (202) 275-4884.

    Dated: February 11, 1997.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 97-6404 Filed 3-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P