00-3664. 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 extension of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to determine an applicant's eligibility for tutorial assistance.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before April 17, 2000.

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. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0171” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 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 and Enrollment Certification for Individualized Tutorial Assistance, VA Form 22-1990t.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0171.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA uses the information collected to determine eligibility for tutorial assistance. The form is sent by the applicant to the school for certification and transmission to VA. The school will transmit the form to the appropriate VA regional office (i.e., Atlanta, Buffalo, Muskogee, or St. Louis) with jurisdiction over the area where the school is located. VA is authorized to pay tutorial assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 32 and 35, and under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606. Tutorial assistance is a supplementary allowance payable on a monthly basis for up to 12 months. The student must be training at one-half time or more in a post-secondary degree program, and must have a deficiency in a unit course or subject that is required as part of, or prerequisite to, his or her approved program. The student uses VA Form 22-1990t, Application and Enrollment Certification for Individualized Tutorial Assistance, to apply for the supplemental allowance. On the form the student provides information such as: name; Social Security Number; mailing address; telephone number; program and enrollment information; the course or courses for which he or she requires tutoring, the name of the tutor; and the date, number of hours and charges for each tutorial session. The tutor must verify that he or she provided the tutoring at the specified charges, and that he or she is not a close relative of the student. The Certifying Official at the student's school must verify that the tutoring was necessary for student's pursuit of a program, that the tutor was qualified, and that the charges for the tutoring did not exceed the customary charges for other students.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 1,000 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.

Number of Responses Annually: 2,000.

Dated: February 9, 1999.

By direction of the Secretary.

Donald L. Neilson,

Director, Information Management Service.