VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS What are education benefits?

Transcription

1 VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS What are education benefits? The Department of Veterans Affairs pays education benefits to qualified veterans and reservists who are attending approved courses or programs. You will receive a monthly benefit check based upon your type of training and training time. GI Bill Website What you must do to qualify? FIRST, make sure the program of study that you choose is approved for VA Training. SECOND, be sure to spend some time on the GI BILL website to find out which benefit is best for you. Each benefit is different in requirements and what it pays. Some of the choices you will be making can be irrevocable. Be sure of what you want before you apply for VA benefits. THIRD, complete VA Form , Application for Education Benefits. Send it to the VA regional office. If you are not on active duty, send copy 4 of your DD 214 form, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If you are on active duty, you must have your enrollment approved by your base Education Services Officer. You may also apply for benefits online at the Veterans Online Applications web site (VONAPP). The web site for VONAPP is: When you use this site to complete an application, your application will be sent directly to the VA Office with jurisdiction over your application. FOURTH, All VA students must request transfer of credit please see the attached forms regarding transfer of credit. If you have already started training, please complete the online application at the above website. If you have already submitted your application to the VA and it has been processed, you should have a Certificate of Eligibility letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You must provide a copy of this letter to your school. The certifying official at your school will complete a VA Form , Enrollment Certification form and submit it to the VA Regional Office; this information will be electronically sent to the VA. How do you receive monthly payments? After the certifying official has submitted the enrollment certification to the appropriate VA regional office, the VA will process your enrollment based on certified training times. Benefits are paid after each month of school is completed. Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) students do not have to certify their enrollment for now. The VA has not put in place a system for this to happen yet, but they will be doing so eventually. If you have questions regarding your payment or other issues you may visit the web site at and select the link Contact Us click on Ask a question. This is the VA s preferred method of contact. Revised 10/03/11hb

2 Post-9/11 GI Bill - Eligibility and Payments - Chapter 33 Who is eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill? Eligible individuals include those who serve on active duty at least 90 aggregate days beginning on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service. An Honorable character of service is now required for all service periods ending on or after January 4, 2011, including those with a condition Interfering With Duty (CIWD), a condition Existing Prior to Service (EPTS) Hardship (HDSP). CIWD, EPTS, and HDSP discharges prior to January 4, 2011, that are not dishonorable may still be qualifying. What does the program pay for eligible individuals? Tuition & fees paid directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state undergraduate tuition & fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning. (A chart listing maximum rates can be found at Monthly housing allowance - paid to the student equal to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents and the zip code for the location of the school. (A chart of BAH rates by ZIP code can be found at Housing allowance is now payable to students (other than those on active duty) enrolled solely in distance learning. The housing allowance payable is equal to 1/2 the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents. NOTE: The full-time rate for an individual eligible at the 100% eligibility tier is $ for An annual books & supplies stipend paid to the student - up to $1,000, paid proportionately based on enrollment. A one-time rural benefit payment of $500 to individuals who reside in a county with six persons or fewer per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census), and who either: - physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or - relocate by air to attend an educational institution (if no other land-based transportation exists.) What training and education programs will be paid for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill? This benefit is payable only for approved training and education programs offered by a college or university. When will benefits be paid? Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following the individual s release from active duty. NOTE: If an individual is eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill as well as other GI Bill benefits, s/he will be required to make an irrevocable choice of which benefit to receive. Individuals who were previously eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606), or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607) may continue to receive benefits for approved programs not offered by degree-granting institutions. These programs include flight, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, preparatory courses, and national tests. Individuals in these programs will be paid as if they are still receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 1606, and For information on transferability of benefits visit 911_Transferability.pdf The following link covers the changes recently made to the Post 9/11 GI Bill: For more information, visit the VA GI Bill Website at or call toll-free GIBILL-1 ( ). VBA Education Service October 2011

3 Evaluation of Previous Colleges & Military Training for Transfer Credit Veterans, reservists, service persons, etc. applying for VA Educational Benefits must provide Lanier Technical College with a copy of their DD-214(member 4), course completion certificates, official college transcripts from all previous colleges, official military transcripts along with a Request for Transfer Credit form so that the transcripts can be evaluated. LANIER TECHNICAL COLLEGE IS NOT ALLOWED TO CERTIFY YOUR ENROLLMENT PAST THE SECOND SEMESTER UNLESS THE TRANSFER CREDIT PROCESS HAS FINALIZED. If you change your program of study you will have to submit another Request for Transfer Credit form to the registrar s office for your transcripts to be reviewed towards your new program of study. Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System. (AARTS) AARTS is computerized transcript system that produces official transcripts for eligible soldiers upon request by combining a soldier s military education, training and experience with descriptions and credit recommendations developed by ACE. Veterans should complete a DA Form 5454 R request for AARTS Transcript form and submit it to AARTS Operation Center, 415 McPherson Avenue, Ft. Leavenworth, KS or use the website below: Website for AARTS Transcript request: Sailor/Marine American Council of Education Registry Transcript. (SMART) SMART is now available to document American Council on Education (ACE) recommended college credit for military training and occupational experience. Sailors and Marines who separated from active duty prior to October 01, 1999 must provide copies of their DD 214; service personnel record page 4s, as well as copies of all certificates. All Active duty and reserve Sailors and Marines (enlisted and officer) and those who separate or retire from active duty on or after October 01, 1999 may request a SMART transcript. Request for SMART Transcript form and submit it to NETPDTC, ATTN: SMART Operations Center, 6490 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, FL or use the website below: Website for SMART Transcript request: Air Force To request Airman Leadership School Transcripts: ALS Distance Learning Course diplomas and transcripts are handled by the AU Registrar at HQ AU/CFRR, 60 Schumacher Avenue, Maxwell AFB, AL , DSN or commercial (334) Transcripts must be requested in writing and must contain students signature. Requests may be faxed to DSN or commercial (334) All students completing the ALS Distance Learning Course after Oct 01, 2002 should receive a diploma following course completion. Students promoted while enrolled in the ALS Distance Learning Course MUST update their student records by submitting an AU IMT 17 to A4L/DLS, 50 South Turner Blvd, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL Diplomas will not be re-accomplished if a change request is submitted after course completion. To receive college credit for this course, students should request that a transcript be sent to their educational institution. To request Community College of the Air Force Transcripts: (CCAF) - The ALS Distance Learning Course is eligible for Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) credit as of Dec 18, Refer to the CCAF catalog for the number of credit hours awarded. Website for CCAF Transcript request: US Coast Guard Website for USCG Transcript request: Revised 10/03/11hb

4 Please refer to instructions on reverse side (next page) to assure your understanding of the Transfer Credit process. Oakwood Forsyth Jackson Winder-Barrow Dawson LANIER TECHNICAL COLLEGE - REQUEST FOR TRANSFER CREDIT I will be a NEW STUDENT entering the semester checked below. I am CURRENTLY ATTENDING and request review for the semester checked below. Academic Year Deadlines: Summer Quarter 2011 Monday, May 16, 2011 Fall Semester 2011 Thursday, June 30, 2011 Spring Semester 2012 Thursday, November 03, 2011 Summer Semester 2012 Wednesday, March 21, TRANSFER CREDIT WILL NOT BE REVIEWED ON REGISTRATION DAY Failure to request transfer credit review by deadline may result in transfer credit issues that remain unresolved by your scheduled registration date. Please note that some programs (Selective Admissions Programs) may have earlier deadlines for completing the transfer credit process. Please refer to admission information provided by your planned program of study in regard to deadline. Date: Name: Student ID or SSN: Address: Telephone Number: Address: Please note we will correspond regarding transfer credit results via . Please print your address clearly. Are you a Veteran of the US Military Service applying for VA Educational Benefits? Yes No Lanier Tech Program of Study: Lanier Tech Advisor: List ALL Transfer Institutions: *Courses to be reviewed: *Unless otherwise indicated, students will be awarded transfer credit for all applicable courses. Office Use Only Date Received: Date Reviewed: Date Posted in Banner: Date Results ed: Dates Results Mailed: EOI

5 TRANSFER CREDIT PROCESS Learning Support/Remedial/Developmental Studies courses DO NOT TRANSFER. Full credit is typically awarded for courses taken at regionally accredited institutions. There are time limitations on transfer of some courses, especially within the computer and allied health programs of study. Grades must be a C or better (2.00 on a 4.00 scale). Credit hour value of the transferred course must equal the credit hour value of the Lanier Technical College course. Only courses with content that equates to required courses within your Lanier Tech program are considered for transfer. (No blanket transfer of all coursework previously taken.) Please indicate the program of study on which you wish the transfer credit evaluation to be based. Courses shown as in-progress on any transcript cannot be considered for transfer credit until a final grade is awarded. It is the student s responsibility to request a final transcript and submit it along with a new Request for Transfer Credit form. When requested, it is the student s responsibility to supply the Registrar s Office with the documentation necessary to evaluate the applicable courses (course syllabus, catalog course description, etc.). You will be notified of the results of your transfer credit review by . Please be certain your address is correct and can be easily read. Please complete all portions on the reverse side of this form. Your request will be processed as soon as possible. Requests received after the deadlines shown on the reverse side of this form will be processed as quickly as possible, but may not be completed prior to your scheduled registration date.

6 VA Self-Service Options Save You Time Students are able to use the WAVE internet application on out main website (https//: to: Report a Change in Enrollment Change a Mailing Address Change a Direct Deposit View current Benefit Information Sign up for monthly reminder messages Determine if there is any paperwork pending at VA (coming soon) Visit us on the web at: Don t Forget Our FAQ Website Our Website contains an excellent Frequently Asked Questions area. This area of our website allows you to search our database of over 150 Frequently Asked Questions. If you can t find an answer to your question, the site has the ability to let you establish a secure account and ask us any question that you may have. All you need to establish an account is an address. You will also be asked to make up a password so that only you will be able to access your account. ALL Students receiving education benefits from VA can call us at: GIBILL-1 ( ) Our automated phone system can answer many of your common questions quickly and easily. Below are some general instructions for the automated options. Dial GIBILL-1 Press 1 - if you have a touch tone phone. Press 1 - for information on you MGIB - Active Duty or Selected Reserve benefit. Press 1 - for the amount of your last payment and the date it was processed. Press 2 - for the date we mailed your monthly certification form if mailed. Press 3 - for the date we processed your last monthly certification of enrollment. Press 4 - for general information on your last education award. Press 2 - for general information on other education benefits. Press 3 - to find out how to apply for benefits or where to send your application. Need to verify your enrollment but don t have Internet access? Call us at:

7 Applying for Post 9/11 - Chapter 33 VA benefits is an irrevocable choice. Be sure you have explored all your options. Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill VA benefits will pay Lanier Technical College directly for in-state tuition and mandatory fees at the percentage of benefits you qualify. The percentage you qualify at depends on how long you served after 09/11/2001. The VA will determine what you qualify for when you submit your application to them and after they process it, VA will send you a letter called Certificate of Eligibility. Lanier Tech MUST RECEIVE from you a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility in order for Lanier Tech to secure your schedule. Without this form on file, you will have to pay upfront for tuition & fees. You must request Transfer of Credit. Include all previous colleges & military training. (Please see Request for Transfer Credit form attached). If you are using HOPE along with Post 9/11 GI Bill, VA considers HOPE as the primary payer. VA will pay any balances that HOPE did not pay at the percentage you qualify, any balances after that are your responsibility. VA does not pay for late fees. VA does not pay for out-of-state tuition rates. If you are considered out of state, tuition is doubled. VA will only pay for the in-state tuition rate plus the fees. VA does not pay for remedial classes that are held online or hybrids Only lecture! VA does not pay for classes that are not listed on your program of study. The VA will pay your housing allowance and book allowance directly to you based on the Zip Code of the college at the pay rate of E5 with dependents. If you attend the Lanier Tech Forsyth campus use Zip code If you attend any other Lanier Tech Campus use Zip code Housing allowance: Prorated by the student s rate of pursuit. To get the maximum you must be full time (12 credit hours). To get the max at least one class must be a lecture class. (The class must be held all in a class room - not online or hybrid. MOST HYBRIDS DO NOT MEET VA s REQUIREMENTS. If you are taking all online classes, you will qualify for ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents. Book allowance: A maximum of $1000 per academic year, paid at $41.27 per credit hour. A maximum of 24 credit hours paid in one academic year. For example: If you qualify for benefits at 60% then you get 60% on the book allowance as well. The VA highly recommends students take very seriously the classes they register for and that they plan carefully. Dropping classes will mean that you will owe back money. Post 9/11 - Chapter 33 veterans wanting to transfer their benefits to dependents must apply with the Department of Defense. (Specific requirements apply.) Revised 10/03/11hb

8 This chart is what the VA is using to determine the percentage a veteran may qualify for benefits under the Post 9/11 Chapter 33 GI Bill. The following table applies to all categories: Post-9/11 Service Percentage of Maximum Amount Payable At least 36 months 100% At least 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability 100% At least 30 months, but less than 36 months 90% At least 24 months, but less than 30 months * 80% At least 18 months, but less than 24 months 70% At least 12 months, but less than 18 months 60% At least 06 months, but less than 12 months 50% At least 90 days, but less than 06 months 40% NOTE: Service of 90 days, but less than 24 months does not include entry level and skill training. Service of 24 months and greater does include entry level and skill training. * If you back out entry level and skill training and the aggregate days of service are still at least 730 days, then the entry level and skill training is included in the aggregate for determination of the level of benefit. If backing out entry level and skill training brings the person s service to less than 730 days, then it cannot be included in the aggregate for determination of the level of benefit. -The table above was copied from documentation provided by the VA office. Forsyth Campus Oakwood Campus 7745 Majors Road 2990 Landrum Education Dr. Cumming, GA Oakwood, GA (770) (770) Fax: (770) HB 10/03/2011

9 VETERAN BENEFITS INFORMATION Please be aware that it typically takes 6 weeks for your VA Application to be processed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Enrollment information is submitted to the VA after the drop/add period of each semester. The VA requires that transcripts for all previous institutions AND Military training be submitted to the college for evaluation of transfer of credit. VA prohibits colleges to certify a student past the second semester if transfer of credit has not been requested AND the evaluation has not been completed. The charges listed below may NOT be certified for Veterans Benefits: 1. Audited courses 2. Exempted courses 3. Courses not required for the completion of your declared program of study ***Be sure to get a copy of your academic program flyer and follow it when registering. 4. Repeated courses 5. Late fees 6. Out-of-state tuition doubles when a student is considered out of state. VA will only pay for the in-state rates and fees. 7. Interval between semesters is no longer paid by VA 8. Remedial classes - only paid if taken in class room. (online and most hybrids do not qualify. If you must consider a hybrid, be sure to check with the certifying official to see if your specific class meets VA requirements.) As a recipient of Veterans Benefits, you are responsible for notifying the Financial Aid Office if you: 1. Change your program of study 2. Exempt a class 3. Drop/add classes 4. Withdraw from Lanier Technical College 5. Receive transfer of credit for previous training. I certify that I have read and I understand the statements listed above. Veteran Name (Print) Student Name (if dependent/survivor benefits) Veteran Signature (write survivor if survivor benefits) Veteran s Social Security Student s Social Security (dependent/ survivor) Today s Date Revised 10/03/11hb

10 CONTACT INFORMATION SHEET (Please write clearly) NAME SS# DATE OF BIRTH PROGRAM OF STUDY **MUST FILL OUT THIS QUESTION** What VA Chapter are you applying for? MAILING ADDRESS ADDRESS HOME PHONE WORK PHONE CELL PHONE These documents are required by the Financial Aid Office Copy of DD214 (if applicable) Official transcripts from ALL colleges that you have attended since high school (required for transfer of credit) Official Military Transcript (AARTS / SMART / CCAF / USCG etc, if applicable) Certificate of Eligibility (Very important!) Form Request For Change of Program or Place of Training (if applicable) for transfer students PREVIOUS EDUCATION: OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE RECEIVED AND REVIEWED BY THE REGISTRAR BEFORE CREDIT CAN BE GRANTED. EACH CASE WILL BE CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY. STUDENT SIGNATURE TODAY S DATE Please return to Financial Aid Student Affairs Office If sending via fax, please send to (770) Forsyth Campus Oakwood Campus 7745 Majors Road 2990 Landrum Education Dr. Cumming, GA Oakwood, GA Revised 10/03/11hb