VA Education Benefits

Transcription

1 VA Education Benefits MGIB Benefits Briefing

2 Today s Content Overview of Ch33 Eligibility & Payments; Basics and Beyond Net Payer ; T&F Payments Enrollment Certification Process Reporting Changes of Enrollment Non Ch33 Benefits - Common Ground Questions & Answers

3 VA Partners VCO (Veteran Certifying Official): The person with delegated authority to sign enrollment certifications, documents, and reports relating to VA benefits. ELR (Education Liaison Representative): The VA employee responsible for liaison, program approval functions, and compliance surveys for your state. ECSS (Education Compliance Survey Specialist) VA employee who conducts school surveys. SAA (State Approving Agency): State Employees responsible for program approval

4 VCO Responsibilities Designation of Certifying Official(s), (VA Form ) Maintain VA folder for each student Monitor student s academic progress Provide veterans education benefits information Secure program approval thru SAA/VA Certify Enrollment (VA Form ) and Changes in Enrollment (VA Form b) to Department of Veterans Affairs

5 VCO Responsibilities (continued) Report when student placed on academic probation; also report when student completes program or graduates Maintain records for at least 3 years following completion of the training program. Make records available for inspection by authorized representatives of the government. Report any changes in student status or training time within thirty days.

6 Program Approval Changes Deems degree programs offered at accredited public & private non-profit schools approved for VA benefits. Allows VA to better utilize the SAAs Improved oversight functions Better alignment of resources Implementation discussions ongoing with SAAs VA will notify school officials when procedures have been determined

7 Eligibility & Program Basics

8 Post - 9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Criteria And Entitlement

9 Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill As a result of Public Law (Jan. 2011), there will be many changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). These changes will affect everything from the way tuition and fees are paid to how eligibility is determined. The final regulations and processing procedures are currently being written and developed. Information presented at this time is subject to change. Updated information can be found on the GI Bill website at

10 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. 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.

11 Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Payments 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.)

12 Net Payer and Payment Changes

13 Charges Defined Established Tuition Charges- The actual tuition charge that similarly circumstanced non-veterans enrolled the program of education are required to pay. Fees Payments- Any mandatory charges (other than tuition, room, and board) applied for pursuit of an approved program

14 Net Payer Defined SUMMARY OF PROVISION: The actual net cost for tuition and fees assessed by the institution after the application of (a) any waiver of, or reduction in, tuition and fees; and (b) any scholarship, or other Federal, State, institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance (other than federal loans and Pell grants) that is provided directly to the institution and specifically designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees

15 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 in-state tuition and fees; Private school reimbursable costs are capped at $18, annually (Aug. 1 st to July 31 st ); 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%)

16 Tuition & Fees Changes Effective Aug. 1, 2011 for Service Members & their Spouse 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 in-state tuition and fees; Private school reimbursable costs are capped at $18, annually (Aug. 1 st to July 31 st ); Training at less than half-time not counted toward cap Yellow Ribbon Program is not available * Payments made based on Net Charges and subject to proration based on Eligibility Tier (i.e. 40% - 100%)

17 Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill Effective Aug. 1, 2011: VA will pay the actual net cost for tuition and fees charged per term. The net cost can only be determined (and reported to VA) after an assessment has been made by the school, indentifying any and all waivers, scholarships, grants or other benefits that would cause a reduction in tuition and fees for the student during the term being certified. This includes any scholarship(s), or other Federal, State, institutional or employer-based aid or assistance (other than loans and any funds provided under section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Title IV)) that is provided to the institution and is specifically designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees.

18 Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill Reporting Tuition and Fees (Public School) For each term, report actual net cost for tuition and fees to VA: Tuiton and Fees for 12 cr (In-State) = $5, School Veteran Tuition Waiver = ($1,000.00) Your State Vets Tuition Assistance = ($1,000.00) Your State s Fin Aid Award = ($1,000.00) Net Tuition and Fees = $2, Report $2, to VA as the T&Fs for this term. If the student received any Title IV funds, (Pell Grant) or assistance not specifically designated for the payment of tuition and fees No need to deduct from the amount reported to VA.

19 Rate of Pursuit (ROP)

20 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.

21 Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) Books & Supplies Stipend

22 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 ( 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.

23 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.

24 Changes to Veteran Payments Effective Aug. 1, 2011: Allows VA to pay MGIB (Ch30) and MGIB-SR (Ch1606) kickers, or college fund payments, on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum at the beginning of the term Adjusts housing rates in August instead of previous January (Military adjustment occurs in Jan) Prorates housing allowance by the student s rate of pursuit, rounded to the nearest tenth; Training at a rate of pursuit of 75% (generally 9 credits hours) would receive 80% of the BAH rate No longer permits interval pay (between consecutive terms). This provision affects all VA education benefits!

25 Changes to Veteran Payments Effective Oct. 1, 2011: Housing allowance payable to students (excluding active duty) enrolled solely in distance learning. The amount payable is equal to ½ the national average full time rate monthly rate. Individuals eligible at the 100% eligibility tier would receive $674 per month. Allows Voc Rehab (Ch31) participants to receive the higher housing rate from Ch33 expected 20% increase is anticipated for Ch31 usage. Permits students on active duty to receive the books and supplies stipend.

26 Miscellaneous Chapter 33 Payments

27 Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)

28 Transfer of Entitlement DoD will determine if an individual can to elect to transfer entitlement to one or more dependents if he/she Served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces; and Agrees to serve at least an additional 4 years. VA will determine eligibility to TOE payments and process those payments. Note: The fact that DoD permitted a transfer of entitlement to occur does not guarantee Chapter 33 benefits can be paid.

29 Transfer of Entitlement (Cont) All 36 months may be transferred, however DoD may limit the number of months transferable to no less than 18 months. 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 written notification to DoD and VA. Eligibility percentage levels may change if the active duty service is extended. Dependents must file VA Form E to receive benefits. Schools should certify TOE dependents under the dependent s SSN and note that student is a TOE dependent in the remarks.

30 Enrollment Certifications ( )

31 Enrollment Certification Include the following on Enrollment Certifications: Report: In-Residence Hours, Distance hours, Remedial/Def./Refresher hours separately. VA will add each together to get total hours. Report: Tuition, Fees and Yellow Ribbon for each term or session. If mini-terms are part of semester or quarter charges, you must break out the tuition and fees for each course or mini-term. For ch33 graduate students, report the number of credits that are considered to be Full-Time (this is needed to determine ROP).

32 VA-ONCE Entries In the Res field, report the number of In-Residence Hours. In the Dist* field, report the number of Distance training hours. In R/D report the number of Remedial, Deficiency or Refresher hours. (Must be In-Residence- don t cert distance here!) **** VA will add all of these together to get total hours for the reported term/session. If student is Yellow Ribbon, you must enter an amount. If student is not using Yellow Ribbon for the term, enter $00.01 in the Yellow Ribbon field, as an entry is required.

33 Zero Tuition If net tuition and fees are unknown, you may wish to submit 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

34 Changes of Enrollment ( b)

35 Changes To Enrollments Currently, VA assumes Mitigating Circumstances exist for all reductions and terminations under Chapter 33. The Books & Supplies Stipend is not affected by a reduction or termination, provided the student attended at least one day of the term. If the student changes hours before the beginning of the term, the Books and Supplies payment will be adjusted to reflect the new number of hours. Entitlement to Housing continues after a reduction, (but may be reduced,) as long as the Rate of Pursuit (ROP) remains at greater than 50% Rate of Pursuit after the reduction. If a student reduces to 50% ROP or less, the MHA will be paid through the end of the month of the reduction or to the end of the term, whichever comes first.

36 Changes To Enrollments If a student withdraws from all classes, the MHA will terminate as well. For a complete withdrawal, the Tuition and Fees payment will be pro-rated based on the length of time the student attended. The fact the school refunded money has no bearing on the VA payment. VA will pay for the time attended. (Even during Drop/Add) For a reduction or an increase, the school should report the net Tuition and Fees for the new credits as if those were the number of credits the student originally enrolled in. Don t factor in any refunds or current balance due. Report all reductions and increases, even if the Tuition and Fees remain the same. Under Ch33, all changes to credit hours must be reported and have the potential of impacting payment.

37 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 never be returned to VA. The student is responsible for any debts incurred to VA as the result of a change in enrollment

38 Graduation Schools are required to report graduation or program completion information to VA. Once a student graduates from a degree program or completes a Non-College Degree program, you should submit a Notice of Change in Student Status ( b). If the student is graduating from a degree program, Graduation should be selected as the termination reason. If the student is completing a Non-College Degree program, "End of Term or Course" should be selected as the termination reason. The last date of the term selected will be pre-populated as the date of termination. If subsequent terms were previously certified, VA-ONCE will prompt you to terminate those enrollments, or to leave them as previously certified. Ensure that the program information is accurate.

39 Academic Probation Schools are also now required to promptly report to VA when a student is placed in academic probation. Once a student has been placed in academic probation, you should notify VA using the Internet Inquiry System. Be sure to include the student s name and claim number along with the statement Student place on academic probation. Students should be advised of any counseling services available to them at the school in order to help them resolve their situation and successfully complete their program. VA will also write the student to notify them of the availability of counseling services through their local VA Regional Office as well as tutorial assistance benefits available through the Buffalo Regional Processing Office.

40 Post-9/11 GI Bill Payment Concerns Establishing Payment by ACH Identifying Tuition & Fees and Yellow Ribbon Payments Understanding Payments/Overpayments Returning Funds to VA or the Student Common Overpayment Scenarios Debt Management Issues

41 Ch33 Payment Debt Types VET Debt Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) Books and Supplies Stipend Kickers (also known as College Fund) Tuition and Fees Charged to Vet School Debt Tuition and Fees Charged to School

42 Benefits Overpayment With CH33, the overpayment of benefits is far more complex than experienced with other benefit programs. In many instances, overpayments will be significantly larger. The student is responsible for all overpayments, even payments sent to the school (VA pays the school on behalf of the student). Overpayment of TOE benefits will be collected from both the student and the veteran/serviceperson who transferred the entitlement.

43 Reasons To Return Payments to VA Effective January 11, 2011, schools should return VA Tuition and Fees or Yellow Ribbon payments to the VA when one or more of the following occurs: 1.The student did not attend classes as certified for the term 2.The student is not enrolled in your school 3.The student withdrew from all classes or terminated enrollment on or before the first day of the certified enrollment period (if the student reduces, the debt is a student debt) 4.VA submitted duplicate payments for this enrollment period 5.The school submitted an amended enrollment showing a reduction in tuition and fee charges or a reduction in Yellow Ribbon amount, or both 6.VA paid more than the amount reported on the certified enrollment 7.The student died before the term started or during the term

44 Debt Issues Arising From VA Payments to School For those schools that received a VA Debt Collection letter for a student that you have already refunded a VA overpayment to, please send VA evidence that you refunded the VA overpayment to the student (such as a canceled check). (Please attach a copy of the VA Debt Letter showing the name of the student and the amount of the debt.)

45 Debt Management Process When a veteran debt is created, there is a 30 day period called Due Process. Debts will not be recouped from future benefits during this time. The veteran can request a waiver of the debt within 180 days of the 1 st notification of the debt. If the waiver request is received within the Due Process period, the debt won t be recouped until the waiver is reviewed. Students with existing debts may attend school; however their payments will be withheld until the debt is cleared School payments are not reduced by collection of veteran debt.

46 Available Resources

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48 Ask a Question Search database of over 400 FAQs. Need more information? Establish a secure account to ask specific questions. (One student per inquiry.) Quick turn around time 24 hr system availability Written responses Question and Answer History

49 Do your students know? WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) Submit monthly verification Report change in enrollment Change mailing address Change Direct Deposit View Current Benefit Information (Not yet available for ch33)

50 Education & Training For Assistance Visit the official VA education benefits Internet site at: Click the Ask a Question and Find Answers link to view our Frequently Asked Questions, or ask a question OR Call VA at: GI BILL-1 ( )

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