[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30932-30933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10772]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service, CORP.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation'') has submitted a public information 
collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval in accordance with the Paper Reduction Act of 
1995, Pub. L. 104-13, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, with 
applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the 
Corporation for National and Community Service, Bruce Kellogg, at (202) 
606-5000, extension 526. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TTY-TDD) may call (800) 833-3722 between the hours 
of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern standard time, Monday through Friday.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Katherine Astrich, OMB Desk Officer for 
the Corporation for National and Community Service, by any of the 
following two methods within 30 days from the date of publication in 
this Federal Register:
    (1) By fax to: (202) 395-6974, Attention: Ms. Katherine Astrich, 
OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community 
Service; and
    (2) Electronically by e-mail to: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB 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;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including 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.
    An ICR package has been submitted to OMB for consideration 
concerning two forms, each a proposed revision to an earlier OMB-
approved form. They are:
    (1) The Forbearance Request Form (OMB 3045-0030), and
    (2) The Interest Accrual Form (OMB 3045-0053).
    These are the forms by which AmeriCorps members first request 
postponement, during their term of service, of their obligation to make 
payments on qualified student loans and then access the interest 
payment benefit that they have earned by successfully completing their 
service. Both forms are important for AmeriCorps members who have 
outstanding qualified student loans during their period of national 
service.
    The document was published in the Federal Register on February 25, 
2005,

[[Page 30933]]

for a 60-day pre-clearance public comment period. Only one organization 
commented on the proposed revisions to the document. It made numerous 
suggestions, mostly regarding format and wording, which were 
incorporated wherever possible into the version now being presented to 
OMB for consideration. Each form will be individually discussed below.

A. Forbearance Request Form

    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Forbearance Request Form.
    OMB Number: 3045-0030.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: AmeriCorps members and the holders of their 
qualified student loans.
    Total Respondents: 16,000 annually.
    Frequency: Average of once per year of national service per loan.
    Average Time per Response: Ten 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.

Description

    AmeriCorps members may request a suspension of their obligation to 
repay most qualified student loans not in default during their service 
period. The purpose of the forbearance is to accommodate the minimal 
living allowance they receive while they complete their term of 
service, although interest continues to accrue during this period.
    Currently, AmeriCorps members use an OMB-approved form entitled 
Forbearance Request for National Service to obtain certification that 
they are in an approved national service position. The form also serves 
as the borrower's official request to the loan companies for 
forbearance. Only the loan holder can grant forbearance.
    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 
that criterion 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, student status.
    The Corporation seeks to continue using this particular form, 
albeit in a revised version. Along with formatting and wording changes 
to enhance clarity and consistency, the one significant modification 
designates the authorized program official as the certifying official 
for the form, in place of the Corporation official. Program certifying 
officials currently certify member enrollments and exits, and authorize 
education awards.
    The current form is due to expire May 31, 2005.

Analysis of Comments Received During the Public Comment Period

    One comment was received from an association of loan servicing 
organizations. It provided a number of wording and formatting 
suggestions, most of which have been incorporated in the form. It also 
recommends a greater use of electronic technology in the loan payment 
process, a development with which the Corporation concurs.

B. Interest Accrual Form

    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Interest Accrual Form.
    OMB Number: 3045-0053.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: AmeriCorps members and the holders of their 
qualified student loans.
    Total Respondents: 7,000 annually.
    Frequency: Average of once per year of national service per loan.
    Average Time per Response: 10 minutes, total (three minutes for the 
AmeriCorps member to complete the form and seven minutes for the loan 
holder).
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,167 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.

Description

    The Corporation's legislation requires that it pay all or a portion 
of the interest that accrues during a period of national service for 
those who successfully complete their service and have had their loans 
in forbearance during the service. The intent is to keep the qualified 
student loan debt of an AmeriCorps member from increasing during the 
period of service. Using the current form, AmeriCorps members complete 
the top section and indicate their dates of service. Then they mail the 
form to the loan holder who indicates the total amount of interest that 
accrued during the service period, or indicates a daily accrual rate. 
The loan holder also adds the address where the payment should be sent 
and returns the form to the National Service Trust. When the 
Corporation receives this information, it is reviewed for accuracy and 
is either paid or returned to the loan holder or lender for additional 
information.
    Along with a number of changes modifying wording and format for 
greater consistency and clarity, for example, by replacing boxes with 
lines and restating instructions, the Corporation requests the name of 
the lending agency be cited in cases where the loan is made by a state 
agency, in accordance with recent legislative changes.
    The current form is due to expire May 31, 2005.

Analysis of Comments Received During the Public Comment Period

    One comment was received from an association of loan servicing 
organizations. It provided a number of wording and formatting 
suggestions, most of which have been incorporated in the form. It also 
recommends a greater use of electronic technology in the loan payment 
process, a development with which the Corporation concurs.

    Dated: May 25, 2005.
Ruben Wiley,
Manager, National Service Trust.
[FR Doc. 05-10772 Filed 5-27-05; 8:45 am]
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