va education benefits

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

MGIB Education

VAVAEducatioEducatio

nnBenefitsBenefits

MGIB Benefits BriefingMGIB Benefits Briefing


MGIB Education

ObjectivesObjectivesThis presentation will provide:

• A brief overview of VA education benefits• Broader discussion on Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), relative to school specific concerns • An update to current Chapter 33 payment issues(Information contained in this briefing was compiled from information provided by the Dept of Veterans Affairs and 38 CFR Part 21 Subpart P. Up-to-date information can be found at www.gibill.va.gov)


MGIB Education

Buffalo’s Buffalo’s JurisdictionJurisdiction

14 Northeastern States14 Northeastern StatesDistrict of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia

Foreign SchoolsForeign Schools


MGIB Education

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Participants in VA Education Programs by Fiscal Year (in thousands)


MGIB Education

Eligibility & Eligibility & Program BasicsProgram Basics


MGIB Education

VA 22-1990 Application For VA Education Benefits VA 22-1990t Application For Tutorial Assistance VA 22-1995 Request Change of Program/Place of Training VA-22-1990E Application for Transfer of Entitlement BenefitsVA-22-1990R Application for VRAP Benefits

Chapter 35

VA 22-5490 Application For Survivors’ And Dependents’ Educational Assistance (also Fry Scholarship)

VA 22-5495 Request For Change Of Program/Place

Chapter 31 VA 28-1900 Application For Vocational and Rehabilitation

Benefits

VA Forms for Students


MGIB Education

Current Benefits ProgramsCurrent Benefits Programs• Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) / Transfer of

Entitlement / John D. Fry Scholarship• MGIB-Active Duty (Chapter 30) • MGIB-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)• Reserve Education Assistance Program

(Chapter 1607/REAP)• Dependent’s Educational Assistance (Ch 35/DEA)• VRAP• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment

(Chapter 31/VR&E)


MGIB Education

CommonCommon GroundGround • Eligibility is based, in part, on type of

military service and honorable discharge.• Up to 48 months of benefits.• Programs of study at training sites must

be approved for VA benefits. • All degree programs at public and

accredited non-profit schools are ‘deemed approved’ for VA benefits.


MGIB Education

• Education Benefits may be used for:

College courses leading to a degree

Business/technical/vocational courses leading to a certificate or diploma

Tests for a license or certification Apprenticeship or OJT training Foreign schools (degree program

only)

Common GroundCommon Ground(continued)


MGIB Education

Correspondence courses Entrepreneurship courses Flight Training (private pilot

excluded) Accelerated Pay (High Tech

programs) Reimbursement for National

Exams Tutorial assistance (if needed) Top-up (active duty only)

Common GroundCommon Ground(continued)


MGIB Education

EntitlementEntitlementThe number of months and days of full-time benefits an individual originally receives or has remaining.

• Maximum of 36 months for MGIB programs / Post 9/11 GI Bill

(CH30 and CH33 entitlement may be extended to end of term).• DEA (CH35) provides 45 months, VR&E (CH31) 48 months. • Maximum of 48 months under any combination of programs

(Example: If a claimant used 36 months under MGIB chapter 30, they may use an additional 12 months of CH 33 benefits).

• Entitlement charged based on Training Time (Rate of Pursuit for CH33) and the actual period the student attended.

• Entitlement was charged for all intervals between terms that were paid through 8/1/11.


MGIB Education

How Is Entitlement Charged?

Full time = Generally 12 or more undergraduate credits per standard term

(commonly 4 courses @ 3 credits each )

Term Dates:Fall 08/25 thru 12/13 = 3 mos 19 days Interval 12/14 thru 01/25 = 1 mos 10 daysSpring 01/26 thru 05/16 = 3 mos 21 daysFull time training without interval pay = 7 mos 10 days

(Interval pay ceased effective 7/31/2011)


MGIB Education

Entitlement Charge cont.

Half time (or 50% ROP) = 6 hrs per standard term (generally 2 courses @ 3 credits each )

Term Dates:Fall 08/25 thru 12/13 = 1 mos 24 days Interval 12/14thru 01/25 = 0 mos 20 days Spring 01/26 thru 05/16 = 1 mos 26 daysHalf time training, no interval pay = 3 mos 20 days


MGIB Education

‘‘Delimiting Date’Delimiting Date’

• The first day after a claimant's period of eligibility expires. Benefits are not payable on or after the delimiting date.

• Periods of eligibility vary by program.• CH1606, CH1607 and CH35 Delimiting Dates may be

extended to the end of the term.• Delimiting Dates may be extended for a disability that

prevented training.• Extended for additional active duty of 90 days or more.


MGIB Education

Post - 9/11 GI Bill Post - 9/11 GI Bill Eligibility CriteriaEligibility CriteriaAnd EntitlementAnd Entitlement


MGIB Education

Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill

As a result of Public Law 111-377 (Jan. 2011), there were many changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Ch33). The broad changes affected the way tuition & fees are paid, eligibility determinations, housing payments, etc. The final regulations and processing procedures have not yet been published. Information presented at this time is subject to change. Updated information can be found on the GI Bill website at www.gibill.va.gov.

http://www.gibill.va.gov/


MGIB Education

Active Duty Service Requirements

After 9/10/01 an individual must serve: % of Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 36 months 100

At least 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability

At least 30 months but less than 36 months 90





At least 90 days but less than 6 months 40

100


MGIB Education

Ch33 EntitlementCh33 Entitlement• In general, individuals remain eligible for benefits for 15

years from date of last discharge of at least 90 continuous days (30 days if disability). Active duty members maintain eligibility while on active duty.

• Veterans receive a maximum of 36 months of benefits under CH33. (may extend to end of term)

• Entitlement limited to no more than 48 months of combined benefits under educational assistance programs administered by VA.

NOTE: Individuals transferring to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) will be limited to the amount of remaining Chapter 30 entitlement, unless none remains.


MGIB Education

Transfer of Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)Entitlement (TOE)

Fry ScholarshipFry Scholarship


MGIB Education

Transfer of Entitlement• DoD determines if an individual can transfer

entitlement to one or more dependents• Dependents eligible to receive entitlement include

spouses and natural, adopted, or step-children.• Transferees use entitlement in the same manner

as the veteran. Changes to transferred entitlement can be made at any time by the veteran.

• Eligibility percentage levels may change with additional active duty service.

• Dependents file VAF 22-1990E to receive benefits.Note: The fact that DoD permitted a transfer of entitlement to occur

does not guarantee Chapter 33 benefits can be paid.


MGIB Education

Transfer of Entitlement

Spouses•Spouses receive benefits in the same manner as the transferor (can’t receive housing payments if transferor is on active duty)• Period of eligibility is the same as the veteran; 15 years from latest release from active duty • Transferred MGIB entitlement cannot be treated as marital property, is not subject to division in divorce or civil proceeding

Children•Child must have completed high school (or the equivalent) or reached 18 years of age. Child always receive benefits like as a veteran. • Entitlement not subject to the veteran’s 15 year delimiting date, but may not be used after reaching age 26.


MGIB Education

John D. Fry Scholarship

• Eligibility for children of an active duty member killed in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.

• Will receive tuition & fees payments, monthly housing allowance and the books & supplies stipend at the 100% rate. (No Yellow Ribbon)

• All dependents receive 36 months of entitlement (not divided up from veteran’s entitlement like TOE)

• Also eligible for Ch35 benefits, must elect one of the two• Dependents must file VA Form 22-5490 to receive

benefits.


MGIB Education

Yellow Ribbon Program• IHLs may voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to allow

the two parties to provide matching funds to cover a portion of the established charges above the annual cap for private schools or to cover the out-of-state portion of tuition.

• Only veterans and their dependents entitled to the 100 percent benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding.

• VA will match each additional dollar that an institution contributes toward an eligible student’s established charges, not to exceed 50% of unmet allowable charges.

• Effective this year, Yellow Ribbon contracts are open ended and remain in effect until school wishes to modify or terminate. Check website (www.gibill.va.gov) for information.



MGIB Education

Post - 9/11 GI Bill Post - 9/11 GI Bill Payments & Payments &

ChangesChanges


MGIB Education

Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Payments

• Net Tuition and Fees Charged • Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)• Books and Supplies Stipend• Kickers (also known as College Fund)• Licensing and Certifications Test, National Exams• Work Study• Tutorial Assistance• Refund of $1,200 MGIB Contribution

(All payments are subject to Eligibility Level Percentages.)


MGIB Education

Charges DefinedEstablished Tuition Charges-

• The actual tuition charge that similarly circumstanced non-veterans enrolled the program of education are required to pay. Fees-

• Any mandatory charges (other than tuition, room, & board) applied for pursuit of an approved program

* Study Abroad Fees are not payable under Ch33 unless the courses are required for the degree program. Travel costs are never payable.


MGIB Education

Tuition & Fees Changes Effective Aug. 1, 2011 for Veterans & Their Transferees:Simplified tuition and fees rates for those attending public schools; creates a national annual maximum rate for those enrolled in private schools *

• Pays all public school net in-state tuition and fees; • Private school reimbursable costs are capped annually (Aug. 1st to July 31st); Training at less than half-time not counted toward cap • Yellow Ribbon Program remains for out-of-state charges and costs that exceed the private school cap. * Payments made based on Net Charges & subject to proration based on Eligibility Tier (i.e. 40% - 100%)


MGIB Education

Tuition & Fees Changes ‘Net Charges’:VA was previously considered ‘First Payer’ for tuition and fees reporting purposes. Effective August 1, 2011, schools must report the net cost of tuition and fees after deducting:

• Any waiver of, or reduction in Tuition and Fees; and• Any scholarship, or other Federal, State, institutional, or employer based aid that is provided directly to the school towards tuition and fees • Title IV Funds (Pell Grants and Federal Loans) are excluded from net charge assessments. * Effective July 2009, no VA education benefits can be considered when calculating EFC or as an outside resouce for Financial Aid purposes


MGIB Education

Eligibility Tier Max T&F Payable/Year

100% $17,500 90% $15,750 80% $14,000 70% $12,250 60% $10,500 50% $ 8,750 40% $ 7,000

In general, VA will pay the lesser of the net T&Fs or the individual’s annual cap rate for all Ch33 students

2011-2012 Tuition & Fees Cap


MGIB Education

Eligibility Tier Max T&F Payable/Year

100% $18,077.50 90% $16,269.75 80% $14,462.00 70% $12,654.25 60% $10,846.50 50% $ 9,038.75 40% $ 7,231.00

In general, VA will pay the lesser of the net T&Fs or the individual’s annual cap rate for all Ch33 students

2012-2013 Tuition & Fees Cap


MGIB Education

Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill Reporting Tuition and Fees • For each enrollment period, report actual net cost for tuition and fees to VA:

• Tuiton and Fees = $5,000.00School Veteran Tuition Waiver =

($500.00)Private Tuition Scholarship = ($500.00)NYS VTA = Waiver*NYS TAP =

Waiver*Net Tuition and Fees = $4,000.00

Report report $4,000.00 to VA as the T&Fs for this term. If the student received any Title IV funds or assistance not specifically designated for the payment of tuition and fees – No need to deduct from the amount reported to VA.


MGIB Education

Restoring GI BillRestoring GI Bill Fairness ActFairness Act

““Grandfather”Grandfather”


MGIB Education

Restoring GI Bill Fairness Act “Grandfathering” Eligibility

• The new legislation authorizes VA to pay more than $17,500 (or the appropriately reduced amount based on the student’s eligibility percentage) in tuition and fees under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for certain students attending private colleges and universities

• To qualify for the increased payment (also referred to as the “grandfathered” tuition and fee amount), students must have been enrolled in the same college or university since January 4, 2011, and have been enrolled in a program for which the combined amount of tuition and fees for full-time attendance during the 2010-2011 academic year (Aug. 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011) exceeded $17,500.


MGIB Education

Restoring GI Bill Fairness Act “Grandfathering” Eligibility

• Eligible students will receive the “grandfathered” rate for tuition and fees for all terms that begin before August 1, 2014, as long as they are continuously enrolled at the same institution. If they transfer to a different institution, even if it’s located in the same state, they will no longer qualify for the “grandfathered” rate.

• School certifying officials will need to submit an enrollment certification or amended enrollment certification to VA with remarks stating “Student eligible for restored rates” to verify that the student was enrolled in that school since January 4, 2011 and that the tuition and fees for full-time attendance in that program exceeded $17,500 during the 2010-2011 academic year.


MGIB Education

State Max Tuition Max Fees •New Hampshire $1003.75/credit $ 5,197.00•New York $1010.00/credit $12,293.00•Pennsylvania $ 934.00/credit $ 6,110.00

Restoring GI Bill Fairness Act of 2011 Tuition & Fees Rates


MGIB Education

Monthly Housing Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)Allowance (MHA)

Books & Supplies Books & Supplies StipendStipend


MGIB Education

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)

• Rate is equivalent to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents

• Locality rate determined by zip code of the facility code of the IHL where the student is enrolled (www.gibill.va.gov).

• Payment is prorated based on the student’s Eligibility Tier. (i.e. 40% to 100%)

• Effective 8/1/11, MHA will be prorated based on ROP, rounded to the nearest 10th.



MGIB Education

Books & Supplies Stipend• Maximum payment of $1,000 per year

– $41.67 per credit hour (at the 100% rate)– Up to 24 credits in a single academic year– Lump sum payment (each quarter, semester or

term attended) based on the number of credits originally certified for.

• Prorated based on the Eligibility Percentage Level.• Active duty members (and TOE spouses of active

duty members) are eligible effective 10/1/11)

Note: Benefit payments are paid directly to the student.


MGIB Education

Miscellaneous Payments • VA Work-Study

– Eligible individuals pursuing training at ROP of at least 75% may receive work-study allowance. (3/4 TT)

– Must perform veteran related work– Hourly wage is higher of state or federal minimum

wage. (Non-taxable income.)

• Tutorial Assistance− Must be training at ROP of at least 50% − Amount payable can’t exceed $100/month. − $1,200 lifetime maximum, no entitlement charge.


MGIB Education

Rate of Pursuit Rate of Pursuit (ROP)(ROP)

&& Equivalent Credit Equivalent Credit

Hours (ECH)Hours (ECH)


MGIB Education

Rate of Pursuit (ROP)• The measure of training time obtained by dividing the number of credit hours

(or clock hour equivalent) a student is enrolled in by the number of credit hours (or clock hour equivalent) considered to be full-time at the school (or what is considered Graduate Full-Time). The resulting percentage (rounded to the nearest hundredth) will be the individual’s Rate of Pursuit.

• Rate of Pursuit will determine the entitlement charged for an award period and will determine if the Monthly Housing Allowance will be paid (must be training at Rate of Pursuit greater than 50%).

• Greater than 50% ROP would normally be 7 or more credits taken during a standard semester (15-19 weeks) or standard quarter (10-13 weeks).

• Example:– Student is taking 7 credits for a standard semester– ROP = 7 / 12 = .58 or 58%

• For Non-Standard term (or summer session), VA will calculate Equivalent Credit Hours (ECH) and use that to determine Rate of Pursuit.


MGIB Education

ECH Calculation• To determine the Equivalent Credit Hours of a non-standard term:

– # semester credits taken multiplied by 18 divided by number of weeks – # quarter credits taken multiplied by 12 divided by number of weeks (round up partial weeks if 4 days or more)

• Example:Non-standard term dates: June 1, 2010 to July 27, 2010 @ 3 credits

− Calculate term length – 57 days / 7 = 8 weeks and 1 day = 8 weeks− Calculate ECH (sem school) - (3 cr x 18) / 8 = 6.75 ECH− Calculate ROP – 6.75 ECH / 12 (normal FT measurement) = .56 or 56%

MONTHLY HOUSING IS PAID at the 60% level____________________________________________________________________

Non-standard term dates: June 1, 2010 to July 27, 2010 @ 3 credits− Calculate term length – 57 days / 7 = 8 weeks and 1 day = 8 weeks− Calculate ECH (qtr school) - (3 cr x 12) / 8 = 4.5 ECH − Calculate ROP – 4.5 ECH / 12 (normal FT measurement) = .38 or 38%

NO MONTHLY HOUSING IS PAID


MGIB Education

Reporting to VA:Reporting to VA:Enrollment, Changes, Enrollment, Changes,

Probation & Probation & GraduationGraduation


MGIB Education

“Zero Tuition”

• If net tuition and fees are unknown, schools may report the term dates, actual credit hours, and enter $0.00 for these charges

• This permits the students to receive timely housing and books & supplies stipend payments

• Also allows for financial aid to be resolved prior to submitting cert

• MUST submit amended cert, effective FDOT to ensure accurate payment when net T&Fs are reported


MGIB Education

Mini or Summer TermsSummer Session A: 05/15/2012 to 06/16/2012 @ 3 cr.Summer Session B: 06/18/2012 to 07/20/2012 @ 3 cr.Summer Session C: 06/18/2012 to 08/15/2012 @ 3 cr.

Tuition & Fees are billed for the entire summer session. Tuitionfor the summer term is $5400. ($600 per hour) Fees are $500.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Begin End Crs. Tuition Fees 05/15/2012 06/16/2012 3 $1800.00 $166.67 06/18/2012 07/20/2012 3 $1800.00 $166.67 06/18/2012 08/15/2012 3 $1800.00 $166.66

By certifying as above, VA will issue payments that accurately reflect the cost of each term. (Critical for changes of status.)


MGIB Education

Reporting Reductions and Terminations

The Certifying Official must notify the VA within 30 days of discovery if one of the following occurs:

• If the net charges change.• If the trainee withdraws from training.• If the trainee does not progress satisfactorily according to approved standards and practices of your facility.• When the trainee changes credit or clock hours of training, even during drop/add.• If the trainee receives non-punitive grades.• When the trainee graduates.


MGIB Education

Debts & Enrollment Change

• If a student attends a portion of the term, but doesn’t complete it as certified, schools should follow their established refund policy

• For reductions, refunds should be given directly to the student. The fact the school refunded money has no bearing on the VA payment. VA will pay for the time attended. (Even during Drop/Add)

• Refunds for partial attendance should be returned to VA in accordance with VA policy. (*handout available)

• The student is responsible for any debts incurred to VA as the result of a change in enrollment within a term.


MGIB Education

Financial AidFinancial AidConcernsConcerns


MGIB Education

FAFSA & Veterans • Veterans less familiar with Financial Aid process. If

military path is chosen in high school, they likely don’t participate in traditional college preparation

• 1 day of active duty (Title 10) satisfies the definition of veteran.

• If veteran status is not confirmed by VA data match, ask student to provide copy of DD214, then do a dependency override.

• Eligibility criteria for Ch33 different from VTA


MGIB Education

Financial Aid Issues • Effective July 2009, VA education benefits can’t be

considered when calculating EFC or COA for Federal Financial Aid purposes. This includes T&Fs payments, monthly housing payments, etc.

• Ch33 payments to schools are not tuition specific funds and can be refunded to the student when appropriate.

• If qualifying tuition specific funds are received after net T&Fs have been reported to VA, you must inform the School Certifying Official (SCO) at your school.

• The SCO must then report an amended certification to VA. The amount in question will become school debt if VA payment has been made.


MGIB Education

Vet Friendly Ideas• Waived application fees• Priority registration• Deferred tuition payments• Automatic established residency for

veterans• Veteran organizations on campus • Remember that some gave all and all

gave some


MGIB Education

AvailableAvailableResourcesResources


MGIB Education

WWW.GIBILL.VA.GOVWWW.GIBILL.VA.GOV


MGIB Education

Visit the official VA education benefits site at: www.gibill.va.govCall VA at: 1-888-GI BILL-1

(1-888-442-4551)NEW! Certifying Official Line*

1-855-225-1159*must be designated SCO & provide facility code

Education & Training Assistance…



MGIB Education

School Certifying Official School Certifying Official HandbookHandbook

VA-Once Flip BookVA-Once Flip Book

(Find both in School Section at (Find both in School Section at www.gibill.va.gov)www.gibill.va.gov)


MGIB Education

‘‘Submit a Question’Submit a Question’Search database of over 400 FAQs, Search database of over 400 FAQs,

special school section. special school section.

Quick turn around time24 hr system availability Written responsesQuestion and Answer History

Establish a secure account to ask specific questions. (One student per inquiry.)

Need more information?


MGIB Education

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