the Department has undertaken to streamline and simplify the application process for all repayment plans, but in particular the income-driven repayment plans, which include the Income-Based Repayment plan, the Income-Contingent Repayment plan, and the newly regulated Pay As You Earn repayment plan. When the Department set out to combine and streamline the application process for the selection of income-driven repayment plans, our intent was to remove as much language as possible from the Direct Loan Repayment Plan Selection Form (1845-0014) relating to those plans, and place it exclusively in 1845-0102. This was to ensure that borrowers would only need to submit one form to request a repayment plan for all of their eligible loans. Indeed, when the Department submitted the Department specifically called out that burden with 1845-0102 was appearing to increase because it was "being combined with 1845-0014 to the extent that it contained information regarding" income-driven plans. This information was also reflected in the Supporting Statement that was made available to the public. Therefore, the Department specifically solicited public comment on our approach to 1845-0014. The public has had the opportunity to comment on the proposal, no comments have been received to date, and no comments are expected.
US Code:
20 USC 1087e(d)
Name of Law: Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
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.