03-4156. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; 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 OMB 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: Application for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program (OMB No. 0915-0146)—Extension

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program's mission is to help alleviate the geographic and specialty maldistribution of physicians and other health practitioners in the United States. Under this program, health professions students are offered scholarships in return for service in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). The Scholarship Program provides the NHSC with the health professionals it requires to carry out its mission of providing primary health care to HPSA populations in areas of greatest need. Students are supported who are well qualified to participate in the NHSC Scholarship Program and who want to assist the NHSC in its mission, both during and after their period of obligated service. Scholars are selected for these competitive awards based on the information provided in the application and during the semi-structured personal interview that is conducted by a team of two interviewers who use a structured scoring procedure. Awards are made to applicants that demonstrate a high potential for providing quality primary health care services.

The estimated response burden is as follows:

Form	Number of respondents	Responses per respondent	Total responses	Hours per response	Total burden hours
Application	2,000	1	2,000	1	2,000
Interview	1,100	1	1,100	1	1,100
Total	3,100		3,100		3,100

Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed information collection should be sent within 60 days of this notice to: Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-45, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: February 14, 2003.

Jane M. Harrison,

Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.