[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 249 (Friday, December 28, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76414-76415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31230]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
34 CFR Part 685
RIN 1840-AC94
[Docket ID ED-2008-OPE-0009]
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Final regulations; correction.
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SUMMARY: On October 23, 2008, the Department of Education amended the
regulations for the Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins Loan) Program; the
Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program; and the William D. Ford
Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, including the Public Service
Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program offered within the Direct Loan Program.
This document makes corrections to the October 23, 2008, final
regulations.
DATES: Effective December 28, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Moran, U.S. Department of
Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 8023, Washington, DC 20006-8502.
Telephone: (202) 502-7732. Email: [email protected].
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an
accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact
disc) on request to the contact person listed in this section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Within the regulations issued on October 23,
2008, the Secretary included rules to implement the Public Service Loan
Forgiveness benefit offered within the Direct Loan Program. 73 FR
63232. One of the matters addressed by those rules was the extent to
which service for an organization engaged in religious activities
qualifies a borrower for the loan forgiveness benefit. The Department's
intent in regulating in this area was to be consistent with the
treatment of such service in corresponding regulations for the FFEL
Program (34 CFR 682.210(m)), the Perkins Loan Program (34 CFR
674.36(c)(4)), and the Department of Defense Program to Encourage
Public and Community Service (32 CFR 77.3(a)). However, as a result of
a drafting error, the Department omitted wording from paragraph (3) of
the definition of ``public service organization'' in 34 CFR 685.219(b)
that would have corresponded with language in paragraph (5)(ii) of the
definition and been consistent with language in the regulations for the
FFEL, Perkins Loan, and Department of Defense programs. This language
would have made clear that service for a non-profit organization that
qualifies a borrower for the loan forgiveness benefit cannot be
comprised of activities that are related to religious instruction,
worship services, or any form of proselytizing. To correct the drafting
error, the Department is publishing this technical correction to add
the omitted language. This correction clarifies the intended meaning of
the regulations. The Department also corrects a typographical error--
the spelling of the word ``health'' under paragraph (5)(i) of the
definition of ``public service organization.''
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal
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You may also access documents of the Department published in the
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by the Department.
List of Subjects in 34 CFR Part 685
Administrative practice and procedure, Colleges and universities,
Loan programs--education, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Student aid, Vocational education.
Dated: December 21, 2012.
David Bergeron,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
Accordingly, 34 CFR part 685 is corrected as follows:
PART 685--WILLIAM D. FORD FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM
0
1. The authority citation for part 685 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070g, 1087a, et seq., unless otherwise
noted.
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2. Section 685.219(b) is amended by:
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A. In the definition of ``public service organization,'' revising
paragraph (3).
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B. In paragraph (5)(i) of the definition of ``public service
organization,'' removing the word ``heath'' and adding, in its place,
the word, ``health''.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 685.219 Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) A non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code that--
(i) Is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code; and
[[Page 76415]]
(ii) Is not an organization engaged in religious activities, unless
the qualifying activities are unrelated to religious instruction,
worship services, or any form of proselytizing;
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-31230 Filed 12-27-12; 8:45 am]
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