03-31431. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on [phone].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Proposed Project: The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program In-School Worksheets (OMB No. 0915-0250)—Revision

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program was established to help alleviate the geographical maldistribution of physicians and other health practitioners in the United States. Under this program, health professions students are offered scholarships in return for future services in a federally-designated Health Professional Shortage Area. If awarded an NHSC scholarship, the program will require the scholar and the scholar's school to review and complete relevant data collection worksheets for each year that the student is an NHSC scholar.

The Data Sheet Form requests that the NHSC scholar review the form for accuracy of pertinent information such as, social security number, contact information, current curriculum, and date of graduation. If scholars find the printed information to be accurate, they must sign the form and return it to the NHSC Scholarship Program in the envelope provided. If NHSC scholars find the information to be inaccurate, they are to make the necessary changes directly on the form. If the inaccurate information pertains to their curriculum or date of graduation, the scholars are also asked to include written supporting documentation from their schools.

The Verification Sheet Form is sent to the schools along with a list of the NHSC scholars that are enrolled at their school for the current academic year. The schools are asked to verify and/or correct the enrollment status of each of the scholars on the list, sign and date the form, and return it to the NHSC Scholarship Program in the envelope provided.

The Contact Sheet Form is sent to the schools and it requests the contact information of pertinent school officials. This information is used by the NHSC Scholarship Program for future contacts with the schools.

The estimated burden is as follows:

Form name	Number of respondents	Responses per respondent	Hours per response	Total burden hours
Data Sheet	800	1	10 mins	134
Verification Sheet	800	1	10 mins	134
Contact Sheet	800	1	10 mins	134
Total	2400			402

Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 16C-17, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: December 16, 2003.

Tina M. Cheatham,

Acting Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.