[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 95 (Monday, May 19, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21296-21297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08857]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED-2025-SCC-0002]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment Universal Forms
AGENCY: Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995,
the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved
information collection request (ICR).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
June 18, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for proposed
information collection requests should be submitted within 30 days of
publication of this notice. Click on this link www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain to access the site. Find this information collection request
(ICR) by selecting ``Department of Education'' under ``Currently Under
Review,'' then check the ``Only Show ICR for Public Comment'' checkbox.
Reginfo.gov provides two links to view documents related to this
information collection request. Information collection forms and
instructions may be found by clicking on the ``View Information
Collection (IC) List'' link. Supporting statements and other supporting
documentation may be found by clicking on the ``View Supporting
Statement and Other Documents'' link.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to
collection activities, please contact Carolyn Rose, 202-453-5967.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department is especially interested in
public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this
information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the
estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on
the respondents, including through the use of information technology.
Please note that written comments received in response to this notice
will be considered public records.
Title of Collection: Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment Universal
Forms.
OMB Control Number: 1845-0163.
Type of Review: A revision of a currently approved ICR.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals and Households.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 83,750.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 217,750.
Abstract: On April 4, 2024 the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Fifth
Circuit granted a preliminary injunction against 34 CFR 685.400 et seq.
(``2023 Regulation'') enjoining the rule and postponing the effective
date of the regular pending final judgment in the case. The current
Borrower Defense to Repayment application and related Request for
Reconsideration are drafted to conform to the enjoined provisions of
the 2023 Regulation. This request is to revise the currently approved
information collection 1845-0163 to comply with the regulatory
requirements of the borrower defense
[[Page 21297]]
regulations that are still in effect, 34 CFR 685.206(e) (``2020
Regulation''), 34 CFR 685.222 (``2016 Regulation''), and 34 CFR
685.206(c) (``1995 Regulation'') (together, the ``current
regulations''). These regulatory requirements are distinct from the
2023 Regulation's provisions. The revision is part of contingency
planning in case the 2023 Regulation is permanently struck down. The
Department of Education (``the Department'') is attaching an updated
Borrower Defense Application and application for Request for
Reconsideration. The forms will be available in paper and electronic
forms on studentaid.gov and will provide borrowers with an easily
accessible and clear method to provide the information necessary for
the Department to review and process claim applications. Also, under
the current regulations, the Department will no longer require a group
application nor group reconsideration application.
Dated: May 13, 2025.
Brian Fu,
Program and Management Analyst, Office of Planning, Evaluation and
Policy Development.
[FR Doc. 2025-08857 Filed 5-16-25; 8:45 am]
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