2012-9993. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests; Federal Student Aid; Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Reporting Under the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System

SUMMARY:

The Federal Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Programs are student financial assistance programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended. These programs provide grant assistance to an eligible student attending an institution of higher education. The institution determines the student's award and disburses program funds to the student on behalf of the Department (ED). To account for the funds disbursed, institutions report student payment information to ED electronically. COD is a simplified process for requesting, reporting, and reconciling Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART funds.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 25, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to [e-mail] or mailed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202-4537. Copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov,, by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 04843. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202-4537. Requests may also be electronically mailed to [e-mail] or faxed to 202-401-0920. Please specify the complete title of the information collection and OMB Control Number when making your request.

Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that Federal agencies provide interested parties an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management, publishes this notice containing proposed information collection requests at the beginning of the Departmental review of the information collection. The Department of Education 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: Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Reporting under the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System.

OMB Control Number: 1845-0039.

Type of Review: Extension.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 6,019,900.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 507,362.

Abstract: The Federal Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Programs are student financial assistance programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended. These programs provide grant assistance to an eligible student attending an institution of higher education. The institution determines the student's award and disburses program funds to the student on behalf of the Department (ED). To account for the funds disbursed, institutions report student payment information to ED electronically. COD is a simplified process for requesting, reporting, and reconciling Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART funds.

Dated: April 19, 2012.

Darrin A. King,

Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management.