(ii) For each class of similar debts or offsets.

(2) The Secretary considers the following factors in making this determination:

(i) Whether offset can be practically and legally accomplished.

(ii) Whether offset will further and protect the interests of the United States.

(c) The Secretary may switch advance funded grantees to a reimbursement payment system before initiating an offset.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3(a)(1) and 1226a-1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

§ 30.22 What notice does the debtor receive before the commencement of offset?

(a)(1) Except as provided in §§ 30.28 and 30.29, the Secretary provides a debtor with written notice of the Secretary's intent to offset before initiating the offset.

(2) The Secretary mails the notice to the debtor at the current address of the debtor, as determined by the Secretary from information regarding the debt maintained by the Department.

(b) The written notice informs the debtor regarding:

(1) The nature and amount of the debt;

(2) The Secretary's intent to collect the debt by offset;

(3) The debtor's opportunity to:

(i) Inspect and copy Department records pertaining to the debt;

(ii) Obtain a review within the Department of the existence or amount of the debt; and

(iii) Enter into a written agreement with the Secretary to repay the debt;

(4) The date by which the debtor must request an opportunity set forth under paragraph (b)(3) of this section; and

(5) The Secretary's decision, in appropriate cases, to switch the debtor from advance funding to a reimbursement payment system.

(c)(1) In determining whether a debtor has requested an opportunity set forth under paragraph (b)(3) of this section in a timely manner, the Secretary relies on:

(i) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark for the debtor's request;

or

(ii) A legibly stamped U.S. Postal service mail receipt for debtor's request.

(2) The Secretary does not rely on either of the following as proof of mailing;

(i) A private metered postmark. (ii) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

NOTE: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method for proof of mailing, a debtor should check with its local post office.

(d) If a debtor previously has been notified of the Secretary's intent to offset or offered an opportunity to take any of the actions set forth in paragraph (b)(3) of this section in connection with the same debt, the Secretary may offset without providing the debtor with an additional notice of intent or opportunity to take any of those actions under these offset procedures.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3(a)(1) and 1226a-1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

§ 30.23 How must a debtor request an opportunity to inspect and copy records relating to a debt?

(a) If a debtor wants to inspect and copy Department documents relating to the debt, the debtor must:

(1) File a written request to inspect and copy the documents within 20 days

after the date of the notice provided under §30.22; and

(2) File the request at the address specified in that notice.

(b) A request filed under paragraph (a) of this section must contain:

(1) All information provided to the debtor in the notice under §30.22 or § 30.33(b) that identifies the debtor and the debt, including the debtor's Social Security number and the program under which the debt arose, together with any corrections of that identifying information; and

(2) A reasonably specific identification of the records the debtor wishes to have available for inspection and copying.

(c) The Secretary may decline to provide an opportunity to inspect and copy records if the debtor fails to request inspection and copying in accordance with this section.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1880-0515)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3(a)(1) and 1226a1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

[51 FR 24099, July 1, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 35646, Oct. 7, 1986]

§ 30.24 What opportunity does the debtor receive to obtain a review of the existence or amount of a debt?

(a) If a debtor wants a review within the Department of the issues identified in the notice under §30.22(b)(3)(ii) or § 30.33(b)(3)(ii), the debtor must:

(1) File a request for review within 20 days after the date of the notice provided under §30.22; and

(2) File a request at the address specified in that notice.

(b) A request filed under paragraph (a) of this section must contain:

(1) All information provided to the debtor in the notice under $30.22 or § 30.33(b) that identifies the debtor and the particular debt, including the debtor's Social Security number and the program under which the debt arose, together with any corrections of that identifying information; and

(2) An explanation of the reasons the debtor believes that the notice the debtor received under § 30.22 or § 30.33(b) inaccurately states any facts or conclusions relating to the debt.

§ 30.33(b)(3)(ii) that the debtor wishes the Secretary to consider in the review;

(ii) File the documents at the address specified in that notice, and

(iii) File the documents no later than:

(A) 20 days after the date of the notice provided under § 30.22; or

(B) If the debtor has requested an opportunity to inspect and copy records under $30.23 within the time period specified in that section, 15 days after the date on which the Secretary makes available to the debtor the relevant, requested records.

(2) The Secretary may decline to consider any reasons or documents that the debtor fails to provide in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section.

(e) If the Secretary bases the review on only the documentary evidence, the Secretary:

(1) Reviews the documents submitted by the debtor and other relevant evidence; and

(2) Notifies the debtor in writing of the Secretary's decision regarding the issues identified in the notice under § 30.22(b)(3)(ii) or §30.33(b)(3)(ii) and, if appropriate, the question of waiver of the debt.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1880-0515)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3(a)(1) and 1226a1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

[51 FR 24099, July 1, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 35647, Oct. 7, 1986]

§ 30.25 How may a debtor obtain an oral hearing?

(a) If a debtor wants the Secretary to conduct the review requested under § 30.24 as an oral hearing, the debtor must file a written request for an oral hearing together with the request for review filed under §30.24(a).

(i) The individuals that the debtor wishes to have testify at the oral hearing;

(ii) The specific issues identified in the notice regarding which each individual is prepared to testify; and

(iii) The reasons why each individual's testimony is necessary to resolve the issue.

(c) The Secretary grants a debtor's request for an oral hearing regarding the issues identified in the notice under §30.22(b)(3)(ii) or §30.33(b)(3)(ii) only if:

(1)(i) A statute authorizes or requires the Secretary to consider waiver of the indebtedness involved;

(ii) The debtor files a request for waiver of the indebtedness with the request for review filed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section; and

(iii) The question of waiver of the indebtedness turns on an issue of credibility or veracity; or

(2) The Secretary determines that the issues identified in the notice under §30.22(b)(3)(ii) or §30.33(b)(3)(ii) cannot be resolved by review of only the documentary evidence.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this section, the Secretary may deny oral hearings for a class of similar debts if:

(1) The issues identified in the notice under §30.22(b)(3)(ii) or 30.33(b)(3)(ii) for which an oral hearing was requested, or the issue of waiver, rarely involve issues of credibility or veracity; and

(2) The Secretary determines that review of the documentary evidence is ordinarily an adequate means to correct mistakes.

(e) The Secretary may decline to consider any reasons that the debtor fails

to provide in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1880–0515)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3(a)(1) and 1226a-1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

[51 FR 24099, July 1, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 35647, Oct. 7, 1986]

§ 30.26 What special rules apply to an oral hearing?

(a) The oral hearing under §30.25 is not a formal evidentiary hearing subject to 5 U.S.C. 554, unless required by law.

(b) If the Secretary grants an oral hearing, the Secretary notifies the debtor in writing of:

(1) The time and place for the hearing;

(2) The debtor's right to representation; and

(3) The debtor's right to present and cross examine witnesses.

(c) If the Secretary grants an oral hearing, the Secretary designates an official to:

(1) Govern the conduct of the hearing;

(2) Take all necessary action to avoid unreasonable delay in the proceedings;

(3) Review the evidence presented at the hearing, the documents submitted by the debtor, and other relevant evidence; and

(4) After considering the evidence, notify the debtor in writing of the official's decision regarding the issues identified in the notice under § 30.22(b)(3)(ii) or §30.33(b)(3)(ii) and, if appropriate, the question of waiver of the debt.

(d) The official designated under paragraph (c) of this section may decline to hear any witnesses or testimony not identified by the debtor in accordance with §30.25(b)(2).

(e) The decision of the designated official under paragraph (c) of this section constitutes the final decision of the Secretary.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221-3(a)(1) and 1226a-1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

§ 30.27 When does the Secretary enter into a repayment agreement rather than offset?

(a) If a debtor wants an opportunity to enter into a written agreement to repay a debt on terms acceptable to the Secretary, the debtor must:

(1) File a request to enter into such agreement within 20 days after the date of the notice provided under § 30.22; and

(2) File the request at the address specified in the notice.

(b) A request filed under paragraph (a) of this section must contain all information provided to the debtor in the notice under $30.22 or §30.33(b) that identifies the debtor and the debt, including the debtor's Social Security number and the program under which the debt arose, together with any corrections of that identifying information.

(c) If the Secretary receives a request filed in accordance with this section, the Secretary may enter into a written agreement requiring repayment in accordance with 4 CFR 102.11, instead of offsetting the debt.

(d) In deciding whether to enter into the agreement, the Secretary may consider:

(1) The Government's interest in collecting the debt; and

(2) Fairness to the debtor.

(e)(1) A debtor that enters into a repayment agreement with the Secretary under this section waives any right to further review by the Secretary of the issues relating to the original debt identified in the notice under § 30.22(b)(3)(ii) or § 30.33(b)(3)(ii).

(2) If a debtor breaches a repayment agreement, the Secretary may offset, or, under §30.30, refer to another agency for offset:

(i) The amount owing under the agreement; or

(ii) The entire original debt, to the extent not repaid.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221-3(a)(1) and 1226a-1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

[51 FR 24099, July 1, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 35647, Oct. 7, 1986]

§ 30.28 When may the Secretary offset before completing the procedures under §§ 30.22-30.27?

(a) The Secretary may offset before completing the procedures otherwise required by §§ 30.22-30.27 if:

(1) Failure to offset would substantially prejudice the Government's ability to collect the debt; and

(2) The amount of time remaining before the payment by the United States which is subject to offset does not reasonably permit completion of the procedures under §§ 30.22-30.27.

(b) If the Secretary offsets under paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary:

(1) Promptly completes the procedures under §§ 30.22-30.27 after initiating the offset; and

(2) Refunds any amounts recovered under the offset that are later found not to be owed to the United States. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3(a)(1) and 1226a1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

§ 30.29 What procedures apply when the Secretary offsets to collect a debt owed another agency?

The Secretary may initiate offset to collect a debt owed another Federal agency if:

(a) An official of that agency certifies in writing:

(1) That the debtor owes a debt to the United States;

(2) The amount of the debt; and (3) That the agency has complied with 4 CFR 102.3; and

(b) For offsets under 31 U.S.C. 3716, the Secretary makes an independent determination that the offset meets the standards under § 30.21(a)(2).

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3(a)(1) and 1226a1, 31 U.S.C. 3716(b))

§ 30.30 What procedures apply when the Secretary requests another agency to offset a debt owed under a program or activity of the Department?

(a) The Secretary may request another Federal agency to offset a debt owed under a program or activity of the Department if the Secretary certifies in writing to the other Federal agency:

§ 30.33 What procedures does the Secretary follow for IRS tax refund offsets?

(a) If a named person owes a debt under a program or activity of the Department, the Secretary may refer the debt for offset to the Secretary of the Treasury after complying with the procedures in §§ 30.20-30.28, as modified by this section.

(b) Notwithstanding §30.22(b), the notice sent to a debtor under §30.22 informs the debtor that:

(1) The debt is past due;

(2) The Secretary intends to refer the debt for offset to the Secretary of Treasury;

(3) The debtor has an opportunity to: (i) Inspect and copy Department records regarding the existence, amount, enforceability, or past-due status of the debt;

(ii) Obtain a review within the Department of the existence, amount, enforceability, or past-due status of the debt;

(iii) Enter into a written agreement with the Secretary to repay the debt; and

(4) The debtor must take an action set forth under paragraph (b)(3) by a date specified in the notice.

(c) Notwithstanding §30.23(a), if a debtor wants to inspect and copy Department records regarding the existence, amount, enforceability, or pastdue status of the debt, the debtor must:

(1) File a written request to inspect and copy the records within 20 days after the date of the notice provided under §30.22; and

(2) File the request at the address specified in that notice.

(d) Notwithstanding the time frame under $30.24(a), if a debtor wants a review under that paragraph, the debtor must file a request for review at the address specified in the notice by the later of:

(1) Sixty-five days after the date of the notice provided under § 30.22;

(2) If the debtor has requested an opportunity to inspect and copy records within the time period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, 15 days after the date on which the Secretary makes available to the debtor the relevant, requested records; or

(3) If the debtor has requested a review within the appropriate time frame under paragraph (d) (1) or (2) of this section and the Secretary has provided an initial review by a guarantee agency, seven days after the date of the initial determination by the guarantee agency.

(e) Notwithstanding the time frames under §30.24(d), a debtor shall file the documents specified under that paragraph with the request for review.

(f) Notwithstanding the time frame under $30.27(a), a debtor must agree to repay the debt under terms acceptable to the Secretary and make the first payment due under the agreement by the latest of:

(1) The seventh day after the date of decision of the Secretary if the debtor requested a review under § 30.24;

(2) The sixty-fifth day after the date of the notice under §30.22(b), if the debtor did not request a review under § 30.24, or an opportunity to inspect and copy records of the Department under § 30.23; or

(3) The fifteenth day after the date on which the Secretary made available relevant records regarding the debt, if