[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9332-9333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02981]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0465]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Student 
Verification of Enrollment

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 
this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of 
information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature 
of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it 
includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection revision should be sent within 30 days of 
publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find 
this particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search 
function. Refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0465.

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: 
    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

[[Page 9333]]

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. This collection submission 
results in an increase in burden. The change in the burden is due to an 
increase in the number of respondents for periods 2019, 2020 and 2021.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 
60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of 
information was published at 87 FR 74698 on December 6, 2022, page 
74698.
    Affected Public: Individuals and 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.
Maribel Aponte,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration, Data 
Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-02981 Filed 2-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P