[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 37 (Friday, February 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9276-9277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3602]


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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 Forbearance Request for National Service Form 
(OMB Number 3045-0030). 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 April 26, 2005.
    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;
     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.
    Send comments to Bruce Kellogg, National Service Trust, Corporation 
for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC, 20525.

[[Page 9277]]


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. After successfully 
completing a period of national service in an AmeriCorps project, an 
AmeriCorps member receives an ``education award'' that can be used to 
repay qualified student loans or pay for post secondary educational 
expenses. This award is an amount of money set aside in the member's 
``account'' in the National Service Trust Fund. Members have seven 
years in which to draw against any unused balance.
    By law, during the period of time the AmeriCorps members are 
participating in national service, they are eligible for a postponement 
(specifically, a forbearance) on the repayment of many federal student 
loans, and possibly on other student loans they have as well. The 
purpose of this is to temporarily suspend their obligation to make loan 
payments while they are earning a minimal living allowance in their 
national service position. Interest may continue to accrue during this 
period, but payments are not required.
    In order for a loan holder to make a decision regarding the 
granting of certain types of forbearances and deferments, it requires 
proof that the borrower meets the criteria for obtaining the particular 
type of postponement. For example, for verification of military service 
or student status, certification made by an authorized military or 
school official attests that the conditions for the postponement are 
being met.
    The purpose of the enclosed Forbearance Request for National 
Service Form is to provide AmeriCorps members a vehicle for requesting 
this forbearance. It also serves as a method for the participating 
programs to verify that the individual is serving in an approved 
national service position, thereby meeting the criteria for the 
mandatory forbearance based on national service.

II. Current Action

    Currently, AmeriCorps members use an OMB-approved form titled 
Forbearance Request for National Service to obtain certification that 
they are eligible for forbearance based on their service. The form also 
serves as the borrower's official request to their loan companies for 
forbearance. Only the loan holder can grant forbearance.
    The current form has been adopted by many of the larger loan 
holders (e.g., Sallie Mae) and is given to their borrowers with the 
loan holders' own logo at the top of the forms. The form was originally 
developed with the assistance of representatives of several student 
loan associations. Having a separate form for forbearance based on 
AmeriCorps service clearly distinguishes it from forbearance requests 
based on one of the other conditions for which a borrower may be 
eligible--e.g., military service, employment in certain low income 
areas, or student status.
    The Corporation for National and Community Service seeks to 
continue using this particular form, albeit in a revised version. Along 
with minor formatting changes, such as replacing boxes with lines for 
the member's name and SSN to enhance legibility, the one significant 
modification designates the authorized program official as the 
certifying official for this form, in place of the National Service 
Trust official. Program certifying officials currently certify member 
enrollments and exits, and authorize education awards. Certifying, 
including verifying member information, signing, and mailing takes one 
minute per form. As the estimate for the member to complete that 
portion of the form is generous, the changes impose no additional 
burden.
    The Corporation seeks to continue using this particular form, 
albeit in a revised version. The current form is due to expire May 31, 
2005.
    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Forbearance Request for National Service Form.
    OMB Number: 3045-0030.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: Individuals who have enrolled in a term of 
national service who wish to postpone loan payments on qualified loans 
while they serve.
    Total Respondents: 16,000 responses annually (estimated annual 
average over the next three years).
    Frequency: Experience has shown that some members do not have any 
qualified student loans and others have several).
    Average Time Per Response: Total of 10 minutes (nine minutes for 
the AmeriCorps member's section and one minute for certification).
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,667 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: February 17, 2005.
Ruben Wiley,
Manager, National Service Trust.
[FR Doc. 05-3602 Filed 2-24-05; 8:45 am]
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