[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89502-89503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28364]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0932]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Application for Approval 
of an Institution of Higher Learning Facility; Institution of Higher 
Learning--Program Submission List; Application for Approval of 
Organizations Other Than Institutions of Higher Learning; Non-
Institution of Higher Learning--Program Submission List

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 extension 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 26, 2024.

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. 2900-0932'' 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 20420, (202) 266-4688 or email [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0932'' 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 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: Sec. 11, Public Law 117-333; 38 U.S.C. 3672 and 3674.
    Title: Application for Approval of an Institution of Higher 
Learning Facility, VA Form 22-10287; Institution of Higher Learning--
Program Submission List, VA Form 22-10287a; Application for Approval of 
Organizations Other Than Institutions of Higher Learning, VA Form 22-
10288; Non-Institution of Higher Learning--Program Submission List, VA 
Form 22-10288a.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0932.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Abstract: Sec. 11, Public Law 117-333, enacted January 5, 2023, 
amended title 38 U.S.C. 3672, ``Approval of Courses''. This provision 
of the law required VA to create and design two new uniform 
applications and any accompanying documentation for approval of courses 
of educational programs, and for those forms to be available for use by 
October 1, 2023. The Program Office created those four forms to meet 
the amended criteria of 38 U.S.C. 3672.
    These forms are completed by educational institutions, training 
establishments and other organizations seeking approval of one or more 
programs of study for the payment of VA Education benefits rendered to 
eligible beneficiaries. The institutions submit the forms to the State 
Approving Agencies (SAAs) of jurisdiction for their review. By law, 
each SAA has the authority to make such approvals in their respective 
state. VA contracts with SAAs in each state for this approval 
assessment work.
    Prior to the new legislative requirement, each SAA used their own 
application form(s), making it difficult for training institutions 
operating in more than one state to readily complete the process, as 
different states required different information. The amendment to title 
38 U.S.C. 3672 now ensures uniformity in the program approval process 
across all states.
    The uniform SAA applications are used by educational and training

[[Page 89503]]

institutions to apply for initial approval of their programs for 
payment of VA benefits; to make revisions of existing program 
approvals, or to submit withdrawals of approved programs no longer 
being offered. The institutions complete either the VA Form 22-10287, 
or the VA Form 22-10288, based on the type of training offered at their 
institution.
    Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) will use the VA Form 22-
10287 exclusively, and all other types of educational training 
establishments will use the VA Form 22-10288. Each institution may use 
the associated ``Program List'', VA Form 22-10287a or VA Form 22-10288a 
to add, revise, or remove any program offered. In some cases, 
institutions may use their own documentation to make administrative 
revision(s) such as changes of address, banking information, or 
ownership changes, when all program offerings remain the same.
    The VA Forms 22-10287 and 22-10288, and any associated program list 
or documentation are submitted by the educational or training 
institution to the SAA of jurisdiction for review. Currently the 
educational institution sends the requests for program approval to the 
SAAs either via email, direct mail, an SAA portal, or as directed by 
the SAA. The SAA makes an approval decision and notifies the 
institution accordingly. The SAA then sends the approval package to the 
VA Education Liaison Representative (ELR) of jurisdiction. Program 
reviews will be conducted in the near future to determine the 
availability of advanced automation technology for submitting the 
applications between educational and training institutions, SAAs and 
VA, which may help to reduce future burdens.
    The approval package includes the application/form received from 
the training institution, the SAA's findings, and any additional 
related information that supports payment of GI Bill benefits, as well 
as a copy of the notification sent to the training institution. The VA 
Education Liaison Representative (ELR) reviews the approval package for 
completeness, or requests additional information, if required. After 
the package is deemed complete, the ELR processes the package by 
entering the required information into VA's internal ``Web Enabled 
Approval Management System (WEAMS)''. The ELR provides the report to 
the training institution, which contains the final approval 
information. The ELR then sends a copy to the SAA of jurisdiction. 
Finally, the approval data entered in WEAMS by the ELR is then used by 
Veterans Claims Examiners to adjudicate education benefit claims.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 70,400 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Time per Respondent: 8 hours or 480 
minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Once.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,800.

    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. 2023-28364 Filed 12-26-23; 8:45 am]
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