FR 2021-01842

The document under review is a public notice from the Veterans Benefits Administration, which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This notice is in line with the procedures outlined in the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The public is invited to comment on a proposed information collection that involves requesting changes to a program or place of training for beneficiaries of educational assistance from the VA. This process is intended to evaluate the continued eligibility of applicants when such changes in their educational program occur.

General Summary

The notice clearly states that the Veterans Benefits Administration plans to submit a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and seeks public input. The feedback window is open for 30 days from the publication date. The notice provides a specific control number (2900-0074) and offers instructions on how to submit comments. Key details, such as the estimated burden of completing the form—20 minutes for paper submissions and 14 minutes for electronic submissions—along with affected public entities such as Institutions of Higher Learning, are included.

Significant Issues or Concerns

The document has notable areas that might raise concerns:

• Complex Legal Language: The references to various legal authorities and regulations (e.g., 38 U.S.C. and 38 CFR) may be overwhelming for readers who are not familiar with such legal terminology. Simplifying these citations or providing a plain language explanation might facilitate better understanding.

• Discrepancy in Estimated Burden: There is a noticeable difference in time burden between paper and electronic submissions. However, the document does not explain why electronic submissions are less time-intensive, which might benefit stakeholders by encouraging electronic participation if it were elaborated.

• Lack of Specificity on Feedback Utilization: Although there is a call for public comments, the document does not detail how this feedback will be utilized in refining the proposal. Clarifying this could increase public engagement by illustrating the potential impact of their input.

• Calculation of Respondent Estimates: The precise number of estimated respondents (184,895) is provided without any explanation of how this figure is derived. An explanation could enhance transparency and understanding of the scale and expected participation.

Public Impact

The proposal could impact the public, especially veterans pursuing education, as it relates to maintaining their eligibility for educational benefits when they seek to change programs or locations. Simplifying the process can potentially ease transitions and ensure continued access to education for veterans.

Impact on Stakeholders

• Veterans: This document is especially crucial for veterans using educational benefits, as it aims to streamline the procedure for changing educational programs or institutions. It could positively impact them by reducing bureaucratic hurdles during such transitions.

• Institutions of Higher Learning: As affected public entities, these institutions might face increased administrative tasks due to the need to support students in completing these forms. However, this activity supports the broader goal of assisting veteran students, which can be a point of pride and enhanced service offering for these institutions.

Overall, while the initiative generally appears to be aimed at ensuring the smooth provision of benefits to veterans, addressing the noted concerns could enhance its clarity and effectiveness. Public participation in the review process should be encouraged, as it can lead to improvements that benefit all stakeholders.