01-21250. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to process the payment of refunds of contributions made by program participants who disenroll from the Post Vietnam Era Veterans Education Program.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before October 22, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0261” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nancy J. Kessinger at [phone] or FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C., 3501 “ 3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VBA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Application for Refund of Educational Contributions (VEAP, Chapter 32, Title 38, U.S.C.), VA Form 24-5281.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0261.

Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired.

Abstract: VA Form 24-5281 is used by veterans and service persons to request a refund of their contributions to the Post-Vietnam Veterans Education Program. If a participant disenrolls from the program prior to discharge or release from active duty, such contributions will be refunded on the date of the participant's discharge or release from active duty or within 60 days of receipt of notice by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the participant's discharge or disenrollment, except that refunds may be made earlier in instances of hardship or other good reason as prescribed in regulations issued jointly by the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense. If the participant disenrolls from the program after discharge or release from active duty, the contributions shall be refunded within 60 days of receipt of the participant's VA Form 24-5281.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 8,333 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 50,000.

Dated: July 30, 2001.

By direction of the Secretary.

Donald L. Neilson,

Director, Information Management Service.