[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31967-31968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12947]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Proposed Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed revision of its Voucher and Payment Request Form (OMB Number 
3045-0014). Copies of the forms can be obtained by contacting the 
office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section by August 9, 2004.
    The Corporation 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;

[[Page 31968]]

     Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through 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.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written input to the Corporation by any of 
the following methods:
    (1) Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system 
to Bruce Kellogg at [email protected].
    (2) By fax to 202-565-2742, Attention Mr. Bruce Kellogg.
    (3) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community 
Service, National Service Trust Office, 8th Floor, Attn: Mr. Bruce 
Kellogg, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525.
    (4) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at 
Room 6010 at the mail address given in paragraph (3) above, between 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Bruce Kellogg, National Service Trust, 
Corporation for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Ave., 
NW., Washington, DC, 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Kellogg, (202) 606-5000, ext. 
526.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Corporation for National and Community Service supports 
programs that provide opportunities for individuals who want to become 
involved in national service. The service opportunities cover a wide 
range of activities over varying periods of time. Upon successfully 
completing an agreed-upon term of service in an approved AmeriCorps 
program, a national and community service participant--an AmeriCorps 
member--receives an ``education award''. This award is an amount of 
money set aside in the member's name in the National Service Trust 
Fund. The education award can be used to make payments towards 
qualified student loans or pay for educational expenses at qualified 
post-secondary institutions and approved school-to-work opportunities 
programs. Members have seven years in which to draw against any unused 
balance.
    The National Service Trust is the office within the Corporation 
that administers the education award program. This involves tracking 
the service for all AmeriCorps members, ensuring that certain 
requirements of the Corporation's enabling legislation are met, and 
processing school and loan payments that the members authorize.

II. Current Action

    After an AmeriCorps member completes a period of national and 
community service, the individual 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. 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 June 30, 
2004.
    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Voucher and Payment Request Form.
    OMB Number: 3045-0014.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: Individuals who have completed a term of national 
service who wish to access their education award accounts.
    Total Respondents: 69,000 responses annually (estimated annual 
average over the next three years).
    Frequency: Experience has shown that some members may not ever use 
the 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.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: June 2, 2004.
Ruben Wiley,
Manager, National Service Trust.
[FR Doc. 04-12947 Filed 6-7-04; 8:45 am]
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