Student Verification of Enrollment (VA Form 22-8979)

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Form 22-8979 STUDENT VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT	Form and Instruction	Modified	Available
2023-02981.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2023-02-13	Repair queued
60-DAY FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE - ACTUAL.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2022-12-06	Repair queued
2023 SUPPORTING STATEMENT with Comment VA Response (003).docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2023-01-23	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
28663	Student Verification of Enrollment	Form and Instruction	Modified	STUDENT VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT
28663	Student Verification of Enrollment	Other-WAVE	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2900-0465	ICR Reference No: 202211-2900-019
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201907-2900-004
Agency/Subagency: VA	Agency Tracking No: VBA-EDU-NK
Title: Student Verification of Enrollment (VA Form 22-8979)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 03/30/2023
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 02/13/2023
Terms of Clearance:

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2026	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2023
Responses	258,313	0	928,740
Time Burden (Hours)	21,526	0	15,479
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The VA Form 22-8979 is used by students for certifying attendance and continued enrollment in courses leading to a standard college degree and in non-college degree programs. The VA uses the information requested by this collection to determine the eligible beneficiaries’ continued entitlement to benefits. The collection of this information is essential for the administration of these programs. The student is required to submit the verification on a monthly basis to allow for a frequent, periodic release of payment. Without this information, VA could not pay eligible beneficiaries benefits based on their proof of attendance and/or change(s) in their enrollment. Information technology is being used to collect the information provided on this form. Individuals receiving benefits under chapter 33 do not have to verify their attendance. Chapters 30 and 1606 respondents must submit this information electronically using either the automated telephone system or the Internet. The information is provided via the Toll-free automated telephone number using Interactive Voice Response technology (IVR). If the information is provided via the Internet, it is collected via the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system. Only respondents receiving education benefits under chapter 32 or 35, or section 903, who are enrolled in NCD programs receive the paper form. The VA extracts claimant information electronically from education data resources and places it into the appropriate blocks of VA Form 22 8979. The VA then sends the printed form for chapters 32 and 35, as well as section 903 to respondents during computer generated monthly mailings. Majority of the individuals enrolled in NCD programs verify their attendance using the Toll-free customer service number (1-888-442-4551) instead of returning the form. The number of respondents who complete and return the paper form is insignificant. Collection of this information on a monthly basis will prevent overpayment of benefits due to late reporting, since payment will not be made until the report of attendance has been returned to VA and processed. To collect information less often would preclude VA from making monthly payments as required under existing regulations.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 38 USC Section 3034 Name of Law: Program Administration
   US Code: 38 USC Section 3241 Name of Law: Requirements
   US Code: 38 USC Section 3680(g) Name of Law: Payment of educational assistance or subsistence allowances
   PL: Pub.L. 96 - 342 903 Name of Law: Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1981
   US Code: 38 USC Chapter 33 Name of Law: Post 9/11 GI Bill
   PL: Pub.L. 112 - 56 211 Name of Law: Veterans Retraining Assistance Program
   US Code: 10 USC Section 16136 Name of Law: Administration of Program
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 26454	12/06/2022
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	88 FR 2981	02/13/2023
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Student Verification of Enrollment	22-8979	STUDENT VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	258,313	928,740	0	-670,427	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	21,526	15,479	0	6,047	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This collection submission results in an increase in burden. The change in the burden is due to an increase in the number of respondents for periods 2019, 2020 and 2021.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $182,888

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 02/13/2023

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