[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]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Proposed Information Collection Activity; Public Comment Request
AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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