FSA implemented the Online Loan Application to collect information electronically. FSA is using and collecting the information that is necessary to thoroughly evaluate the applicantâs request for a direct loan to ensure that: the applicant meets the established program eligibility requirements; their cash flow projections used in determining loan repayment are based on the actual financial and production history of the operation and a loan is adequately secured.
FSA requests a revision of a currently approved information collection. A new affected public category, individuals, was added to the ROCIS record to accurately reflect the user groups. The estimated burden hours and responses have decreased since the last OMB approval for OLA, primarily because of minimal usage of the OLA submission option by Direct Loan making applicants. Original OMB approval based on assumption of 100% usage of OLA. The changes were tied to the following:
⢠Total number of total unduplicated respondents decreased from 21,610 to 668.
⢠Total reports filed per person decreased from 1.82 to 1.16.
⢠Applicant type percentages were adjusted as follows:
o Individual applicants increased from 50% to 58%. This percentage based on total submissions for Direct Loan making assistance, regardless of submission method (OLA and traditional paper)
Informal entity applicants, including married couples, decreased from 35% to 27%. This percentage based on total submissions for Direct Loan making assistance, regardless of submission method (OLA and traditional paper)
⢠Total annual OLA responses decreased from 39,330 to 775.
⢠Total OLA burden hours decreased from 59,389 to 1,152.
These changes are the result of agency adjustments:
o Original OMB approval factored in YL, EM, and ITLAP submissions. However, these loan types were excluded from this request as these will not be part of the existing OLA platform.
o Original OMB approval factored in FSA-2001 applications received as part of Primary Loan Servicing (PLS). However, PLS submissions were excluded from this request as they will not be part of the existing OLA platform.
o Original OMB approval factored 100% usage of the OLA platform for Direct Loan Making submissions. Actual OLA usage was significantly less than projected from 12/5/2023 (date of national launch) through 4/29/2026. Actual OLA usage was 1.2% of total Direct Loan Making submissions for available loan types.
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:
(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;
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.
0560-0317 OLA Supporting Statement Part A Template - 2026.docx
Email chain with RAFI.pdf
0560-0317 Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements - 2026 Renewal.xlsm
Online Loan Application - Individuals/Households