[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40022-40023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16864]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0636]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of 
a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment 
in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for 
information needed to determine a claimant's election to receive 
accelerated payment under the Montgomery GI Bill Program.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before September 2, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20420. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0636'' in any 
correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-7079 
or FAX (202) 275-5947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Request for Accelerated Payment; Certifications Required 
from Individuals Electing Accelerated Payments; and Agreement with 
Educational Institution.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0636.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: A claimant who wishes to receive an accelerated payment 
of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) must 
elect to do so. VA uses the request to support the claimant's election 
and to determine whether the claimant wants this option over the 
established monthly payments. The claimant is required to report that 
the payment was received and how the payment was used. In addition, 
schools are allowed to receive an advance MGIB accelerated payment on 
behalf of a claimant enrolled at that institution.
    Affected Public: Individuals or household.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,086 hours.
    a. Request for Accelerated Payment--167 hours.
    b. Certifications Required from Individuals Electing Accelerated 
Payments--833 hours.
    c. Agreement with Educational Institutions--86 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:
    a. Request for Accelerated Payment--1 minute.
    b. Certifications Required from Individuals Electing Accelerated 
Payments--5 minutes.
    c. Agreement with Educational Institutions--3 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 13,727
    a. Request for Accelerated Payment--6,000.
    b. Certifications Required from Individuals Electing Accelerated 
Payments--6,000.
    c. Agreement with Educational Institutions--1,727.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 21,727.
    a. Request for Accelerated Payment--10,000.
    b. Certifications Required from Individuals Electing Accelerated 
Payments--10,000.
    c. Agreement with Educational Institutions--1,727.

    Dated: June 23, 2003.

[[Page 40023]]

    By direction of the Secretary.
Loise Russell,
Acting Director, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 03-16864 Filed 7-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P