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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 3194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00359]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Docket No.: ED-2025-SCC-0002]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment Universal Forms

AGENCY: Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 
the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved 
information collection request (ICR).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
March 17, 2025.

ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the 
information collection listed in this notice, please use http://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED-2025-SCC-0002. 
Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted 
electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal 
mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. If the regulations.gov 
site is not available to the public for any reason, the Department will 
temporarily accept comments at [email protected]. Please include the 
docket ID number and the title of the information collection request 
when requesting documents or submitting comments. Please note that 
comments submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. 
Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail 
or delivery should be addressed to the Manager of the Strategic 
Collections and Clearance Governance and Strategy Division, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave, SW, LBJ, Room 4C210, 
Washington, DC 20202-1200.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to 
collection activities, please contact Beth Grebeldinger, 202-570-8414.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department, in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to 
comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of 
information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its 
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting 
burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's 
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in 
the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the 
proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. 
The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing 
the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper 
functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and 
used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) 
how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department 
minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including 
through the use of information technology. Please note that written 
comments received in response to this notice will be considered public 
records.
    Title of Collection: Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment Universal 
Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 1845-0163.
    Type of Review: A revision of a currently approved ICR.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals and Households.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 83,750.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 217,750.
    Abstract: On April 4, 2024 the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Fifth 
Circuit granted a preliminary injunction against 34 ?685.400 et seq 
(``2023 Regulation'') enjoining the rule and postponing the effective 
date of the regular pending final judgment in the case. The current 
Borrower Defense to Repayment application and related Request for 
Reconsideration are drafted to conform to the enjoined provisions of 
the 2023 Regulation. This request is to revise the currently approved 
information collection 1845-0163 to comply with the regulatory 
requirements of the borrower defense regulations that are still in 
effect, 34 CFR 685.206(e) (``2020 Regulation''), 34 CFR 685.222 (``2016 
Regulation''), and 34 CFR 685.206(c) (``1995 Regulation'') (together, 
the ``current regulations''). These regulatory requirements are 
distinct from the 2023 Regulation's provisions. The revision is part of 
contingency planning in case the 2023 Regulation is permanently struck 
down. The Department of Education (``the Department'') is attaching an 
updated Borrower Defense Application and application for Request for 
Reconsideration. The forms will be available in paper and electronic 
forms on studentaid.gov and will provide borrowers with an easily 
accessible and clear method to provide the information necessary for 
the Department to review and process claim applications. Also, under 
the current regulations, the Department will no longer require a group 
application nor group reconsideration application.

    Dated: January 6, 2025.
Kun Mullan,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and 
Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, 
Evaluation and Policy Development.
[FR Doc. 2025-00359 Filed 1-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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