VERIFIED · FEDERALREGISTER.GOV

HRSA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Faculty Loan Repayment Program Data Collection (OMB No. 0906-0082-Revision)

NoticeHealth and Human Services DepartmentAugust 21, 2026

By Christopher Smoot, Founder & Editor · Last verified against source: August 21, 2026

Plain-English Summary

The notice announces HRSA's intent to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for the Faculty Loan Repayment Program. It asks the public to review and comment on the proposed burden estimate and any other aspects of the ICR before it is formally submitted. The request is part of the Paperwork Reduction Act compliance process. The comment period is open now, with a publication date of August 21, 2026.

Current Status

Proposed collection notice open for public comment under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

What This Means

HRSA is planning to collect data from entities participating in the Faculty Loan Repayment Program and must first get Office of Management and Budget clearance. Before that clearance, the agency must give the public a chance to comment on how burdensome the data collection will be and any other elements of the request. The abstract specifically says HRSA will consider comments on the burden estimate, which determines how much time and cost respondents will incur. By soliciting feedback now, HRSA can adjust the forms, questions, or reporting requirements to reduce unnecessary paperwork. The final ICR, once approved by OMB, will become a mandatory reporting requirement for program participants.

Who Is Affected

Medical schools and health professional training institutions that receive faculty loan repayment awards will need to submit the required data. Current and prospective faculty loan recipients may be required to provide personal and employment information. HRSA staff who administer the program will also be responsible for processing the collected data. Indirectly, the federal budget office may be impacted by the estimated reporting burden.

Background

The notice fulfills the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which mandates public comment before any new federal data collection is approved. HRSA is updating its data collection for the Faculty Loan Repayment Program, likely to improve oversight and assess program effectiveness. The revision reflects a need to align the collection with current program goals and statutory reporting requirements. No prior ICR for this specific revision is referenced, indicating a new or substantially changed request.

Arguments For

Proponents argue that accurate data on loan repayment participants helps HRSA evaluate the program’s impact on the health workforce and ensures taxpayer funds are used effectively. Collecting standardized information also aids in identifying gaps in service areas and improving future funding decisions.

Arguments Against

The abstract does not indicate any organized opposition; the primary concern would be the potential reporting burden on institutions and recipients, but no specific controversy is mentioned.

Economic Considerations

Because the notice does not provide a formal cost estimate, any economic impact assessment is speculative. HRSA expects a burden estimate, but the exact hours or dollar costs per respondent are not disclosed. If the data collection is extensive, it could impose modest administrative costs on schools and participants. Conversely, better data could lead to more efficient allocation of loan repayment funds, potentially offsetting reporting expenses over time.

Sections beyond the plain-English summary are AI-synthesized analysis based on the sourced Federal Register filing, read, edited where needed, and approved by a human editor before publication. Full methodology: Editorial & Methodology.

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