Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1129.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Proposed Project: The Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) Program (OMB No. 0915-0034)—Extension

This clearance request is for the extension of approval for two HEAL forms and two electronic data collection activities: The Lender's Application for Contract of Federal Loan Insurance form (used by lenders to make application to the HEAL insurance program); the Borrower's Deferment Request form (used by borrowers to request deferments on HEAL loans and used by lenders to determine borrower's eligibility for deferment); the Borrower Loan Status update electronic submission (submitted monthly by lenders to the Secretary on the status of each loan); and the Loan Purchase/Consolidation electronic submission (submitted by lenders to the Secretary to report sales, purchases, and consolidation of HEAL loans). The estimate of burden for the forms are as follows:

HRSA form

Number of respondents

Responses per respondent

Total responses

Hours per responses

Total burden hours

Lender's Application for Contract of Federal Loan Insurance

28

1

28

8 min.

4

Borrower's Deferment Request:

Borrowers

4,642

1

4,642

10 min.

774

Employers

2,780

1,669

4,642

5 min.

387

Borrower Loan Status Update Electronic Submission

8

18

144

10 min.

24

Loan Purchase/Consolidation Electronic Submission

28

248

6,950

4 min.

463

Total

7,486

16,406

1,652

Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-45, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: February 26, 2003.

Jane M. Harrison,

Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.

[FR Doc. 03-5200 Filed 3-5-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4165-15-U