[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74698-74699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26455]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0465]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Student Verification of 
Enrollment

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Benefits Administration, 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.

DATES:  Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before February 6, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0465'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise 
and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 810 Vermont Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266-4688 or email [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0465'' in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, 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

[[Page 74699]]

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.
    Authority: Section 3680(g); Public Law 96-342 Section 903; Title 10 
U.S.C., National Call to Service; Chapter 31 Section 510; Title 38 
U.S.C., Chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, and Title 10 U.S.C., Chapter 1606.
    Title: Student Verification of Enrollment, VAF 22-8979.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0465.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The VA uses the information requested by this collection 
to determine the eligible beneficiaries' continued entitlement to 
benefits. The collection of this information is essential for the 
administration of these programs. The student is required to submit the 
verification on a monthly basis to allow for a frequent, periodic 
release of payment. Without this information, VA could not pay eligible 
beneficiaries benefits based on their proof of attendance and/or 
change(s) in their enrollment. Information technology is being used to 
collect the information provided on this form. Individuals receiving 
benefits under chapter 33 do not have to verify their attendance. 
Chapters 30 and 1606 respondents must submit this information 
electronically using either the automated telephone system or the 
internet. The information is provided via the Toll-free automated 
telephone number using Interactive Voice Response technology (IVR). If 
the information is provided via the internet, it is collected via the 
Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system. Only 
respondents receiving education benefits under chapter 32 or 35, or 
section 903, who are enrolled in NCD programs receive the paper form. 
The VA extracts claimant information electronically from education data 
resources and places it into the appropriate blocks of VA Form 22 8979. 
The VA then sends the printed form for chapters 32 and 35, as well as 
section 903 to respondents during computer generated monthly mailings. 
Majority of the individuals enrolled in NCD programs verify their 
attendance using the Toll-free customer service number (1-888-442-4551) 
instead of returning the form. The number of respondents who complete 
and return the paper form is insignificant. Collection of this 
information on a monthly basis will prevent overpayment of benefits due 
to late reporting, since payment will not be made until the report of 
attendance has been returned to VA and processed. To collect 
information less often would preclude VA from making monthly payments 
as required under existing regulations.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 21,526 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Time Per Respondent: 1 minute.
    Frequency of Response: On Occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 258,313.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Dorothy Glasgow,
VA PRA Clearance Officer (Alt.), Office of Enterprise and Integration/
Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-26455 Filed 12-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P