SAR QandA 12-18-07

ED – Student Aid Report #1845-0008

OMB Question:

Regarding the SAR # 1845-0008, the previous terms of clearance state: “FSA plans to make significant revisions to the SAR for the 2008-2009 school year. At the time of revision, FSA will examine and report to OMB on whether it is appropriate to continue to reduce the burden for response time due to electronic submissions (as they have done in this and previous submissions) or whether they have reached the saturation point for burden reduction due to electronic submission.”

Although I see a burden revision, I don’t see the associated discussion of electronic submission saturation point. Would you please let me know ED’s response to that term of clearance?

ED Response:

Applicants that file a FAFSA on-line receive an electronic notification that provides a link through which they can review their data and filing results. From the results page, applicants can easily link to Corrections on the Web (COTW) to update and/or correct any of the information previously provided. This process was expanded to include applicants that apply using a paper FAFSA and provide an email address on the application. The email address provides evidence that the applicant has access to the web and can benefit from a more streamlined process. Federal Student Aid believes that current processes have allowed us to reach our saturation point for burden reduction due to electronic filing and/or access.

The redesigned version of the paper SAR and SAR acknowledgement is intended to simplify the follow-up experience for those students who may not have access to the web and will need to continue to receive paper materials to correct or update the information provided on their FAFSA.