Response to March 30, 2012 Coment

Response to comment on VA Form 22-0839

There were comments received from one member of the public. It was suggested by the commenter that the respondent burden was inaccurate. The commenter noted that the time needed to compile the data required for the completion of this form was much greater than the 10 minutes allocated for completion of this form. As a result of this comment, a survey was conducted to obtain a more accurate estimate of the time it takes schools to complete the form. The results of the survey indicate that it takes schools an average of 14 hours to gather the materials, review information, and complete the Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement. As such, we have changed the respondent burden to 14 hours.

Additionally, the commenter expressed concern that the Yellow Ribbon Program open enrollment season for the 2012-2013 academic year began while VA is in the process of obtaining approval. VA is submitting a request for renewal of a currently approved form. The Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement was approved June 2009 for three years. The approval is set to expire June 2012. To ensure there is no lapse in approval, VA is requesting renewal. However, the form that was approved June 2009 and amended March 2012 (with non-substantive changes) is the form that is being used for the current open enrollment season. The open enrollment season generally runs from March 15^th through May 15^th of each calendar year. As the approval of the form is valid through June 30^, 2012, there was no need to delay the Yellow Ribbon Program open enrollment season.