The information collected from State
approving agencies provides notification to VA of approval and
supervisory activity under contract with VA for professional
services.
An increase in burden hours
occurred as a result of the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI
Bill. The number of approvals increased steadily since the
implementation of the program thus creating an overall increase in
the burden. During FY 2009 and FY 2010 the SAAs issued an average
of 8800 substantive approval actions annually. The burden hours for
this collection was based on 50% of the average number of approvals
received over the last two years. VA estimates that the SAA will
not need to review approvals for at least 50% of programs
requesting approval (or amended approval) as PL 111-377 deemed the
following programs as approved for VA purposes (requiring no review
by the SAA): Accredited standard college degree program offered
by public and non-profit institutions of higher learning Flight
training courses approved by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) offered by a certified pilot school that possesses a valid
FAA pilot school certificate An apprenticeship program registered
with the Department of Labor A program leading to a secondary
school diploma offered by a secondary school approved in the State
in which it is operating. An increase in cost occurred as a result
of an increase in number of reviews completed and VA employee
wages.
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.