2012-18023. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests; Federal Student Aid; William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program General Forbearance Request

SUMMARY:

Borrowers who receive loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program will use this form to request forbearance on their loans when they are willing but unable to make their currently scheduled monthly payments because of a temporary financial hardship.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 24, 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 04892. 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: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program General Forbearance Request.

OMB Control Number: 1845-0031.

Type of Review: Revision.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,308,453.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 261,691.

Abstract: Section 428(c)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the HEA) provides that under certain circumstances, a borrower who receives a loan through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program is entitled to a forbearance. Section 455(a)(1) of the HEA provides that unless otherwise specified, loans made under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program are to have the same terms, conditions, and benefits as loans made under the FFEL Program. A forbearance is an arrangement to postpone or reduce the amount of a borrower's monthly loan payment for a limited and specific time period.

Dated: July 18, 2012.

Darrin A. King,

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