Notice2023-28364
Agency Information Collection Activity: Application for Approval of an Institution of Higher Learning Facility; Institution of Higher Learning-Program Submission List; Application for Approval of Organizations Other Than Institutions of Higher Learning; Non-Institution of Higher Learning-Program Submission List
Primary source
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Published
December 27, 2023
Issuing agencies
Veterans Affairs Department
Abstract
Veterans Benefits Administration, 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89502-89503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28364]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
[OMB Control No. 2900-0932]
Agency Information Collection Activity: Application for Approval
of an Institution of Higher Learning Facility; Institution of Higher
Learning--Program Submission List; Application for Approval of
Organizations Other Than Institutions of Higher Learning; Non-
Institution of Higher Learning--Program Submission List
AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Veterans Benefits Administration, 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.
DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection
of information should be received on or before February 26, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at <a href="http://www.Regulations.gov">www.Regulations.gov</a>
or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33),
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20420 or email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8d6d9d6dbc196d3ddcbcbd1d6dfddcaf8ced996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3ddd2ddd0ca9dd8d6c0c0daddd4d6c1f3c5d29dd4dcc5">[email protected]</span></a>. Please refer to ``OMB Control
No. 2900-0932'' in any correspondence. During the comment period,
comments may be viewed online through FDMS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise
and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 810 Vermont Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20420, (202) 266-4688 or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ec818d9e858e8980c28d9c83829889ac9a8dc28b839a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cf1fdeef5fef9f0b2fdecf3f2e8f9dceafdb2fbf3ea">[email protected]</span></a>.
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0932'' in any correspondence.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, 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.
Authority: Sec. 11, Public Law 117-333; 38 U.S.C. 3672 and 3674.
Title: Application for Approval of an Institution of Higher
Learning Facility, VA Form 22-10287; Institution of Higher Learning--
Program Submission List, VA Form 22-10287a; Application for Approval of
Organizations Other Than Institutions of Higher Learning, VA Form 22-
10288; Non-Institution of Higher Learning--Program Submission List, VA
Form 22-10288a.
OMB Control Number: 2900-0932.
Type of Review: Extension.
Abstract: Sec. 11, Public Law 117-333, enacted January 5, 2023,
amended title 38 U.S.C. 3672, ``Approval of Courses''. This provision
of the law required VA to create and design two new uniform
applications and any accompanying documentation for approval of courses
of educational programs, and for those forms to be available for use by
October 1, 2023. The Program Office created those four forms to meet
the amended criteria of 38 U.S.C. 3672.
These forms are completed by educational institutions, training
establishments and other organizations seeking approval of one or more
programs of study for the payment of VA Education benefits rendered to
eligible beneficiaries. The institutions submit the forms to the State
Approving Agencies (SAAs) of jurisdiction for their review. By law,
each SAA has the authority to make such approvals in their respective
state. VA contracts with SAAs in each state for this approval
assessment work.
Prior to the new legislative requirement, each SAA used their own
application form(s), making it difficult for training institutions
operating in more than one state to readily complete the process, as
different states required different information. The amendment to title
38 U.S.C. 3672 now ensures uniformity in the program approval process
across all states.
The uniform SAA applications are used by educational and training
[[Page 89503]]
institutions to apply for initial approval of their programs for
payment of VA benefits; to make revisions of existing program
approvals, or to submit withdrawals of approved programs no longer
being offered. The institutions complete either the VA Form 22-10287,
or the VA Form 22-10288, based on the type of training offered at their
institution.
Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) will use the VA Form 22-
10287 exclusively, and all other types of educational training
establishments will use the VA Form 22-10288. Each institution may use
the associated ``Program List'', VA Form 22-10287a or VA Form 22-10288a
to add, revise, or remove any program offered. In some cases,
institutions may use their own documentation to make administrative
revision(s) such as changes of address, banking information, or
ownership changes, when all program offerings remain the same.
The VA Forms 22-10287 and 22-10288, and any associated program list
or documentation are submitted by the educational or training
institution to the SAA of jurisdiction for review. Currently the
educational institution sends the requests for program approval to the
SAAs either via email, direct mail, an SAA portal, or as directed by
the SAA. The SAA makes an approval decision and notifies the
institution accordingly. The SAA then sends the approval package to the
VA Education Liaison Representative (ELR) of jurisdiction. Program
reviews will be conducted in the near future to determine the
availability of advanced automation technology for submitting the
applications between educational and training institutions, SAAs and
VA, which may help to reduce future burdens.
The approval package includes the application/form received from
the training institution, the SAA's findings, and any additional
related information that supports payment of GI Bill benefits, as well
as a copy of the notification sent to the training institution. The VA
Education Liaison Representative (ELR) reviews the approval package for
completeness, or requests additional information, if required. After
the package is deemed complete, the ELR processes the package by
entering the required information into VA's internal ``Web Enabled
Approval Management System (WEAMS)''. The ELR provides the report to
the training institution, which contains the final approval
information. The ELR then sends a copy to the SAA of jurisdiction.
Finally, the approval data entered in WEAMS by the ELR is then used by
Veterans Claims Examiners to adjudicate education benefit claims.
Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
Estimated Annual Burden: 70,400 hours.
Estimated Average Burden Time per Respondent: 8 hours or 480
minutes.
Frequency of Response: Once.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,800.
By direction of the Secretary.
Maribel Aponte,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data
Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-28364 Filed 12-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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