Education Update for Florida School Conference AttendeesDennis DouglassEducation ServiceWashington, DCJuly 9, 2002

July 9, 2002

Topics of InterestEnacted LegislationPL 107-103, Veterans Education & Benefits Expansion Act of 2001PL 107-107, Defense Authorization BillPending Legislation

Education Service Projects

July 9, 2002

Benefit Rate IncreasesIncreases MGIB full time rates for 3 year enlistment to: $800 Jan 1, 2002$900 Oct 1, 2002$985 Oct 1, 2003COLA Oct 1, 2004Increases MGIB full time rates for less than 3 year enlistment to: $650 Jan 1, 2002$732 Oct 1, 2002$800 Oct 1, 2003COLA Oct 1, 2004

July 9, 2002

Other Rate IncreasesIncreases full time rates for MGIB recipients with remaining Ch 34 entitlement (without dependents) to:$988 Jan 1, 2002$1088 Oct 1, 2002$1173 Oct 1, 2003COLA Oct 1, 2004

Increases DEA full time benefits to $670 effective January 1, 2002

July 9, 2002

Other ProvisionsRestores benefits when individual is called to active duty under certain sections of title 10 USCExpands MGIB eligibility for some Vietnam Era veteransIncreases maximum allowable annual Senior ROTC educational assistance for eligibility for benefits under MGIB

July 9, 2002

Other ProvisionsExpands approval for distance learning (accredited independent study program) to include certificates that reflect educational attainment offered by an institution of higher learning. Includes certain private technology entities in definition of educational institutionExpands work study

July 9, 2002

Accelerated PaymentsAccelerated payments for education leading to employment in high technology industryBeginning with enrollments in courses or programs of education on or after 10/01/02Tuition and fees for enrollment period must be 200% of the regular monthly MGIB rate payableAccelerated payment is lesser of60% of established chargesThe aggregate amount of entitlement individual has remainingIndividual must request accelerated payment

July 9, 2002

Accelerated PaymentsVA must publish regulations to administerProposed regulations must be published with 60 day comment period for public to commentProposed regulations define high tech and high technology occupationsLaw did not specify accelerated payment only for short term courses.Can be used for regular college courses if courses lead to employment in high technology industry

July 9, 2002

Defense Authorization Bill:TransferabilityPermits military services to allow service members, as a reenlistment option, to transfer MGIB entitlement to dependentsMust have completed 6 years and agree to serve 4 more yearsTransfer up to 18 months of entitlementTo spouse after 6 years of serviceTo children after 10 years of service Children must use before age 26

Program criteria will be determined by the Armed Services Branches

July 9, 2002

Army 18-Month Enlistment Pilot Program18 months on active duty followed by36 months in Selected Reserve andService in the Individual Ready Reserve to complete the military obligationNot eligible for MGIB (less than 24 months active duty)Not eligible for MGIB-SR (less than 6 year Selected Reserve requirement)

July 9, 2002

Pending LegislationH.R. 745H.R. 3734H.R. 1280H.R. 4015H.R. 1962H.R. 4085H.R. 2020H.R. 4214H.R. 3465H.R. 4546H.R. 3731H.R. 4854S. 1517S. 1792S. 2068S. 2231S. 2237S. 2462S. 2514

July 9, 2002

Noteworthy ProvisionsIncrease rates (MGIB, MGIB-SR, & DEA)Decrease (or eliminate entirely) the monthly MGIB pay-inExtend eligibility periods Provide service members another open window for MGIB participation Liberalize transferability criteriaIncrease SAA funding

July 9, 2002

Education Service ProjectsMonthly Verifications Outreach Activities Veterans Relationship Management The Education Expert System

July 9, 2002

Monthly Verifications for MGIB-SR Begins 8/1/2002Notification Letters began in MayFollow-up Letters in July No paper forms!!!!Paper eliminated for MGIB too!!!Toll-free (1-877-823-2378) or Internet (www.gibill.va.gov/wave)

July 9, 2002

Outreach ActivitiesActive Duty Mailings12-month 24-month Near-discharge Other Outreach EffortsLicensing & Certification TestsRegular Pamphlets (Chapters 30, 32, 1606)Notice of Chapter 30 Status

July 9, 2002

Veterans RelationshipManagementVRM is a comprehensive strategy to improve customer service delivery by integrating people, process, and technology to manage veteran interactions through multiple channelsVRM will provide A history of all claimant contact (phone, e-mail, letters, etc.)Claimant access to frequently needed data

July 9, 2002

The Education Expert System (TEES): What is it?A redesign of our payment systems into a single application within VBAs corporate environmentThe incorporation of rules-based processing to automate the adjudication of education benefit claimsChanges to current applications

July 9, 2002

OLAFTraining InstitutionseCERTTEESOSAPPhase IIStudentWAVEIVR - CERTDMDC DataVeteran Claims ExaminersTIMSStudentVRMHow Does It All Fit Together?

July 9, 2002

Want More Information on VA Education Benefits?Send $19.95 (plus shipping and Handling) to . Or better yet surf on over to www.gibill.va.govIts fast, free, & full of information!!!

July 9, 2002

Questions?

July 9, 2002