VA BENEFIT INFORMATION HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 1 VA BENEFIT INFORMATION HANDBOOK Registrar s Office Janice Nrdin, Veterans Benefits Crdinatr nrdinj@uww.edu 2031 Rseman Hall ( ) Updated: September 9, 2014

2 2 UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER STUDENT SERVICES VA BENEFIT INFORMATION HANDBOOK CONTENTS PAGE NEW FEDERAL EDUCATION BENEFIT RATES. 3 POST 9/11 FEDERAL GI BILL. 5 YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM... 5 GI BILL CLAIM PROCEDURES... 6 ON-LINE APPLICATION.. 7 ADVANCE PAY/ REGULAR PAY.. 7 CREDIT & CLOCK HOUR REQUIREMENTS 7 MONTHLY VERIFICATION 8 INTERVAL (BREAK) PAY RULES UWW TERM CALENDAR VOC-REHAB (CHAPTER 31) PERSIAN GULF VETERANS... 9 COMPENSATION BENEFITS. 10 VA HEALTH PLAN WISCONSIN DEPT. OF VETERAN AFFAIRS (WDVA) BENEFITS WISCONSIN G.I. BILL.. 14 WDVA-VETERANS EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT GRANT (VetEd). 15 WDVA RETRAINING GRANT (RTG).. 17 WDVA LOAN PROGRAM.. 17 WDVA HOME LOAN AND HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS.. 17 COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICES (CVSO) WISCONSIN MILITARY AFFAIRS (WMA) BENEFITS (100% TUITION FOR GUARD MEMBERS) 18 ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY. 18 OTHER V.A. RULES 18 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GI BILL BENEFITS.. 19 GENERAL INFORMATION ACADEMIC HELP.. 20 PROGRAMS AT UWW APPROVED FOR V.A. BENEFITS. 20 OTHER INFORMATION (FERPA, TUTORING, CAREER PLANNING, ETC.). 20 EMPLOYMENT/CAREER PLANNING. 21 WORKING & GOING TO SCHOOL / FINANCIAL AID 21 VA WORK-STUDY PROGRAM FEDERAL VA HOME LOANS 22 VA HEALTH CARE CLINIC AND VETS PLACE VA - CHECK PROBLEMS LICENSING & CERTIFICATION TESTS. 23 KEY POINTS.. 24 EBENEFITS VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS AT A GLANCE 25

3 3 UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN WHITEWATER STUDENT SERVICES VA BENEFIT INFORMATION HANDBOOK This issue f the V.A. Benefit Infrmatin Handbk will cver tpics fr the cntinuing vet at UW-Whitewater as well as sme general infrmatin fr vets wh are planning t enrll at UW- Whitewater. Educatin Rates As f Octber 1, 2014 CH30-3 r mre year bligatin Ch 30 Less than 3 year bligatin Chapter 1606 Selected Reserve Chapter 35 Survivr & Dependents Full Time 12 Credits r mre $1, $1, $ $1, Three-Quarter 9-11 Credits $1, $ $ $ One-Half 6-8-Credits $ $ $ $ Less than half-time mre than 1/4 time Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ $91.75 Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ /4 time r less Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ $91.75 Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ App/OJT 1st 6 Mnths $1, $1, $ $ App/OJT 2 nd 6 Mnths $ $ $ $ App/OJT Remainder $ $ $ rd 6 m - $ Remainder - $186.00

4 4 Chapter 1607 (REAP) As f Octber 1, days but less than ne year Service f 1 year + Service f 2 years + Full Time $ $1, $1, ¾ Time $ $ $1, ½ Time $ $ $ < ½ time >¼ Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ $ ¼ Time r less Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ Tuitin & fees nt t exceed Tuitin & fees nt t exceed $ Chapter 31 Vcatinal Rehabilitatin Rates As f Octber 1, 2013 N One Tw Each Dependents Dependents Dependents Additinal Full Time $ $ $ $ /4 Time $ $ $ $ /2 Time $ $ $ $32.50 Less than 1/2 Time NONE NONE NONE NONE

5 5 POST 9/11 GI BILL BENEFIT INFORMATION The Pst-9/11 GI Bill is fr individuals with at least 90 days f aggregate service n r after September 11, 2001, r individuals discharged with a service-cnnected disability after 30 days. Yu must have received an hnrable discharge t be eligible fr the Pst-9/11 GI Bill. The Pst-9/11 GI Bill went int effect n August 1, This prgram will pay eligible individuals: tuitin & fees directly t the schl nt t exceed the in-state tuitin & fees at the public Institutin f Higher Learning. Thse students attending private r freign schls, tuitin & fees are capped at $17,500 per academic year. a mnthly husing allwance based n the Basic Allwance fr Husing fr an E-5 with dependents at the lcatin f the schl. As f August 1, 2014, the BAH fr UW-Whitewater is $1, Yu must be enrlled greater than half-time fr the full term and enrlled in at least ne in-residence curse. Active duty students and their spuses cannt receive the BAH. See additinal ntes belw. a maximum annual bk & supply stipend f $1,000 r 24 credits paid prprtinately based n enrllment. The stipend will be paid at a rate f $41.67/credit t the maximum f $1, per academic year. Students shuld be aware that if they take a higher credit lad ne term, they may nt receive as much the secnd term. Effective Octber 1, 2011, individuals n active duty will be eligible fr the bk and supply stipend. a ne-time rural benefit payment f $ fr eligible individuals. Nte 1: This benefit is payable nly fr training at an Institutin f Higher Learning (IHL) (See cmparisn chart fr mre infrmatin). Nte 2: If yu are enrlled exclusively in nline training the husing allwance payable is equal t ne-half the natinal average MHA fr an E-5 with dependents ($ fr the 2014 academic year). Additinally, the eligibility percentage fr the Pst 9/11 will be included in the BAH. Nte 3: Yu must be enrlled greater than half-time in rder t receive the BAH; additinally, training time less than full-time will be calculated at the rate f pursuit runded t the nearest tenth f a percent by the VA. Nte 4: This benefit prvides up t 36 mnths f educatin benefits; generally benefits are payable fr 15 years fllwing yur release frm active duty. Nte 5: Infrmatin n transferring benefits t a dependent can be fund n the VA s website ( Nte 6: Freign Schl Mnthly Husing Allwance will be $1, YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM UW-Whitewater participates in the Yellw Ribbn Prgram. We currently have ten (10) slts available fr nn-resident, undergraduate students. This prgram is available n a first-cme, firstserve basis and students need t apply each schl year fr the next schl year. Further infrmatin n this prgram can be fund n ur website at:

6 6 TO CERTIFY YOUR VETERANS STATUS AND OBTAIN BENEFITS 1) If yu are a new veteran (r dependent), and never used benefits befre, yu will need t cmplete the fllwing: a) VA Frm (r r 1990e), Applicatin fr Educatin Benefits, frm the n-line applicatin n the VA website (can cmplete in ur ffice), knwn as VnApp b) UW-W Infrmatin Sheet c) If applying fr Ch prgram, prvide yur DD214 and a cpy f the rders shwing the military call-up d) If applying fr Ch. 33 Transfer f Entitlement, cmplete VA Frm e, Applicatin fr Benefits 2) Yu shuld prvide ur ffice with: a) the DD-214, members 1 and 4, Discharge Frm, if Ch active duty; Ch. 33 Pst 9/11; Ch REAP; r the NOBE, Ntice f Basic Eligibility Frm , if Ch Reserves/Natinal Guard b) a cpy f yur Kicker cntract, if yu have the kicker benefit c) a cpy f the $600 additinal cntributin paperwrk, if applicable d) a Certificate f Eligibility/Award Letter frm the VA r a printut frm ebenefits shwing eligibility, if Ch 33 Pst 9/11 r if Ch Dependents prgram, and already filled ut elsewhere. (If Ch 33, a cpy f page 2 f the ) 3) If yu are a new veteran/dependent t UW-W, but used benefits elsewhere yu will need t fill ut the fllwing: a) VA Frm (r ), Request fr Change f Prgram/Place f Training b) UW-W Infrmatin Sheet 4) If yu are a cntinuing, r returning student t UW-W and used VA benefits befre yu will need the fllwing: a) UW-W Infrmatin Sheet nly. b) If changing t the Ch r Ch 33 Pst 9/11 benefit prgrams, we will need an updated DD214, a cpy f the rders shwing the military call-up and yu will need t cmplete a new , Applicatin fr Educatin benefits 5) If yu are a cntinuing r returning student but have nt used VA benefits befre, please see (1) abve. 6) All students, whether yu are cntinuing, new r transfer, must prvide us with a cpy f yur class schedule(s) fr the term(s) yu are requesting benefits. (We cannt use the class schedule grid; it must be the regular schedule). 7) If an eligible Wiscnsin Veteran, r a Spuse r Dependent f an eligible Wiscnsin Veteran, cmplete the applicatins (2029 and 2030) fr the Wiscnsin GI Bill. *WHERE DO I OBTAIN THE NECESSARY FORMS? *VA FORMS: All VA Frms, unless therwise nted abve, are available frm the veterans crdinatr r yur Cunty Veteran Service Office (addresses n page 17) r frm the US Dept f Veterans Affairs. ( The DVA encurages using the Veterans On-Line Applicatin (VONAPP); yu may want t print a cpy fr yurself. If printing paper cpies, yu will need Adbe Acrbat. *DD FORMS: Check the VA website fr infrmatin n hw t receive cpy ( *UW-WHITEWATER FORMS: The UW-Whitewater Infrmatin Sheets are available at the Registrar s Office (Rseman Bldg, Rm 2032) r n their web page. (

7 7 VA ON-LINE APPLICATION (VONAPP) Althugh yu can fill ut a paper applicatin, the simplest and fastest methd is t apply n-line thrugh the DVA website ( Click n Apply fr Benefits fr access and fllw the instructins. After yu have submitted the applicatin, make sure yu print ut the signature page. We have als set up a cmputer in ur ffice t use when applying fr this benefit; staff is available t assist yu. Yu will want t have yur dates f service and bank accunt infrmatin handy when cmpleting the applicatin. ADVANCE PAYMENT INFORMATION UW-Whitewater has pted ut f the advance payment ptin and will nt prcess requests fr advance payments. REGULAR PAY The first check is depsited r mailed within fur t six weeks frm the first day f class. Subsequent checks are delivered t the students' hmes the first part f each mnth fr the preceding mnth. Yu can als have the checks sent right t yur bank if yu select the Electrnic Pay ptin. Remember: 1. In rder t cntinue receiving educatin benefits fr any semester, the apprpriate frms must be cmpleted and returned t the Veterans Crdinatr lcated in the Registrar s ffice prir t the start f each semester. 2. Students receiving Ch. 30, Ch. 1606, r Ch (REAP) benefits must submit mnthly verificatins f enrllment t the VA. The verificatins can be made n r after the last day f each mnth by either phne: r the internet at (fllw the link t the WAVE). Yu cannt verify yur enrllment prir t the last day f the mnth. CREDIT & CLOCK HOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL VA BENEFITS Undergraduate *Regular Academic sessin VA BENEFIT RATE CREDITS ADJUSTMENT Each Semester TO BENEFITS Full Time 12 r Mre Nne 3/4 Time 9, 10, 11 75% 1/2 Time 6, 7, 8 50% Less than 1/2 Less than 6 Less than 50% Graduate *Regular Academic sessin VA BENEFIT RATE CREDITS ADJUSTMENT Each Semester TO BENEFITS Full Time 9 r Mre Nne 3/4 Time 5, 6, 7, 8 75% 1/2 Time 4 50% Less than 1/2 Less than 4 Less than 50% *Please cntact yur Veteran s Crdinatr fr Summer and Winterim Sessin requirements.

8 8 IMPORTANT NOTE: A standard term is cnsidered t be 16 weeks lng. Training time fr curses that are ffered fr a shrter r lnger perid (nn-standard term) is determined by using a training time equivalency table. Cntact ur ffice t determine benefits fr nn-standard terms. PAY RULES MONTHLY VERIFICATION All students wh are receiving the Mntgmery GI BILL Active duty, Mntgmery GI Bill Selected Reserve, r the Reserve Educatin Assistance Prgram (REAP) MUST verify their enrllments mnthly t receive payments. This verificatin can be dne either by using the Web Autmated Verificatin f Enrllment (WAVE) applicatin n the VA web site ( r by telephning and fllwing the prmpts. INTERVAL (BREAK) PAY Effective August 1, 2011, Interval (break) pay is n lnger payable under any VA Educatin Benefit prgram unless under an Executive Order f the President r due t an emergency, such as a natural disaster r strike. This means that yur husing will be paid thrugh the last fficial day f the term nly and will nt resume until the start f the next term. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER SCHOOL TERMS Summer Term 2014 May 27, Aug 15, 2014 Fall Term 2014 ( year) Sept 3, Dec 23, 2014 Winterim 2015 Dec 29-30, Jan 2, 5-9, 12-16, 2015 Spring Term 2015 ( year) Jan 20, May 19, 2015 Summer Term 2015 May 26, Aug 15, 2014 Fall Term 2015 ( year) Winterim 2016 Spring Term 2016 ( year) Summer Term 2016

9 9 VOC-REHAB (CHAPTER 31): A GOOD BET FOR THE DISABLED VET The Vcatinal Rehabilitatin prgram f the Veterans Administratin deserves investigatin by any veteran wh is nw r is planning t be in schl and has a service-cnnected disability. This prgram is a viable alternative t the GI Bill fr disabled vets. If yu currently have a disability rating f 20% r mre, yu are eligible t be cnsidered fr vcatinal rehabilitatin. If yu think yu have a service-related disability but dn't have a VA rating, yu shuld call the Milwaukee VA n their tll-free line, 1(800) r visit yur Cunty Veterans Services Office t get an applicatin r mre infrmatin. Vc-Rehab ffers educatinal benefits similar t thse prvided by the regular GI Bill. Participants receive a mnthly stipend in additin t receiving their tuitin, fees, and bks, and a supplies allwance. Under certain circumstances, help may als be available fr medical and dental care and financial emergencies. DISABILITY - THE HOW AND WHY Disability. What cmes t mind? Mst f us think f the physically handicapped, the visibly impaired persn. Hwever, did yu knw mst disabilities are nt nearly s bvius? Fr example, if a sldier brke his/her arm in service, was given a cast, was discharged and later n develped arthritis in the area f the break, he/she might be eligible fr a disability claim. Anther cmmn miscnceptin, which many veterans have, is that a claim must be filed within a year after discharge. The truth is that the time frame varies depending n the particular cnditin. In sme cases, (special presumptive perids) as much as seven years may pass between discharge and filing a claim. Accrding t the Disabled American Veteran Service Officer's Guide, Evidence prving a service-cnnected disability can be a majr prblem. After the veteran has been discharged a few years, the situatin becmes mre difficult. That is why it is very imprtant t file a claim as sn after discharge as pssible. It is imprtant t file a claim fr any injury r ailment incurred during service. The result is that the prcess f claiming is expedited and the veteran may avid unnecessary "red tape". One last pint: certain cnditins such as high bld pressure, hearing lss, and hemrrhids are ften nt thught f as disabilities. If a service cnnectin can be prven, the veteran shuld file. The applicatin prcess begins at the nearest Veterans Services Office. VA REACHING OUT TO PERSIAN GULF VETERANS The VA's Persian Gulf Registry, Medical Examinatin Prgram may be fr yu! WHAT IS THE PERSIAN GULF REGISTRY? The VA Persian Gulf Registry prgram was established t help veterans wh served in the first military cnflict in the Persian Gulf and wh are nw cncerned abut the pssible lng-term health cnsequences f expsure t varius envirnmental hazards. Veterans wh participate in this vluntary prgram are given a cmprehensive medical examinatin. Data gathered during these examinatins will be carefully analyzed by scientists searching fr clues abut any medical prblems experienced by Persian Gulf veterans. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FEEL YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY ENVIRONMENTAL OR CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS DURING YOUR SERVICE IN THE PERSIAN GULF? Seek medical care at the nearest VA medical center. A Veterans Benefits Cunselr at the medical center may be available t assist yu with VA benefits infrmatin and claims assistance. If he r she is nt available when yu visit, yu may als cntact yur lcal VA Reginal Office tll free at fr mre infrmatin.

10 10 COMPENSATION BENEFITS I. PRESUMPTIVE SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN THE PERSIAN GULF WAR (SYMPTOMS MUST MANIFEST PRIOR TO SEPT. 30, 2011) 1. Amytrpic Lateral Sclersis (Lu Gehrig s Disease) 2. Chrnic Fatigue Syndrme 3. Fibrmyalgia 4. Irritable Bwel Syndrme 5. Chrnic, undiagnsed illness which may include such symptms as: Fatigue Signs r symptms invlving skin Headaches Muscle Pain Jint Pain Neurlgical signs r symptms Neurpsychlgical signs r symptms Signs r symptms invlving the respiratry system (Upper r Lwer) Sleep disturbances Gastrintestinal signs r symptms Cardivascular signs r symptms Abnrmal weight lss Menstrual disrder II. COMPENSATION BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO VIETNAM VETERANS BASED ON AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE Veterans wh served in Vietnam between 01/09/62 05/07/75 are cnsidered as having been expsed t Agent Orange. The Department f Veterans Affairs prvides presumptive disability cmpensatin t Vietnam veterans wh are diagnsed with the fllwing cnditins based n this expsure: 1. Type II Diabetes 2. Prstate Cancer 3. Chrnic Lymphcytic Leukemia 4. Respiratry Cancers f the lung, brnchus, larynx, r trachea 5. Hdgkin s Disease 6. Nn-Hdgkin s Lymphma 7. Multiple Myelma 8. Prphyria Cutanea Tarda (Manifest within ne year) 9. Acute & subacute peripheral neurpathy (Manifest within ne year) 10. Chlracne (Manifest within ne year) 11. Sft Tissue Sarcma (Other than stesarcma, chndrsarcma, Kapsi s sarcma r mesthelima) FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE IN FILING A CLAIM, CONTACT THE COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICES NUMBERS AND LOCATIONS ARE LISTED ON PAGE 17.

11 11 VA TO ENROLL ALL VETERANS UNDER HEALTH PLAN Washingtn, D.C. -- The Department f Veterans Affairs (VA) annunced it will enrll all veterans wh apply fr VA health care. This initiative was started in fiscal year The enrllment prgram, part f the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Refrm Act, allws veterans t receive health care at VA medical facilities natinwide. It is ur desire t serve as many veterans as pssible under this new law, and we ve made it easier than ever befre fr veterans t btain health care benefits, said Dr. Kenneth W. Kizer, VA Undersecretary fr Health. Fr the first time, enrlled veterans will have access t the full range f services they need, nt just thse medical needs resulting frm military service. Under the Act s refrms, VA ffers an expanded array f health care services, such as preventive care and utpatient services, in additin t eliminating many prir restrictins and cnfusin. Veterans can apply fr enrllment in the prgram using quick and easy applicatin frm that is available at any VA medical r benefits facility. All veterans, except thse wh fall int certain categries, need t apply fr enrllment t receive VA health care benefits. Thse wh are nt required t be enrlled include: Veterans with a service-cnnected disability f 50 percent r mre; Veterans seeking care fr a service-cnnected disability; and Veterans discharged frm military service fr less than ne year fr a disability that was determined t have incurred r aggravated in the line f duty, but that VA has nt yet rated. While nt required t apply fr enrllment, these exempted veterans are still encuraged t apply, s VA can plan mre effectively t meet veterans health care needs. Veterans, wh have received VA health care since January 1, 1996, will have an applicatin fr enrllment autmatically prcessed n their behalf. There is n deadline fr applying fr enrllment. Fr further infrmatin, call yur lcal Cunty Veteran Service Officer (phne number is n page 17) r call VA-tll free at WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS (WDVA) BENEFITS WHO IS ELIGIBLE? (The fllwing infrmatin has been btained frm the Wiscnsin Department f Veteran s Affairs website.) T qualify fr mst Wiscnsin state veterans benefits, prgrams, r services, a veteran must first establish general eligibility fr Wiscnsin state veterans benefits. Eligibility criteria fr Wiscnsin state veterans benefits, prgrams, and services, including exceptins t minimum military service requirements, are set in state law (Wis. Stats. Ch. 45). General eligibility cnsists f tw brad requirements: 1. Military service (Character; Type; Duratin), and 2. Wiscnsin state residency

12 12 A. QUALIFYING SERVICE In rder t fulfill the military active duty service requirements fr mst Wiscnsin state veterans benefits, prgrams and services, a veteran must have served fr tw (2) cntinuus years f active duty as defined abve. Benefits and services with special military service requirements are listed under "Eligibility requirements fr special benefits and services." Exceptins t the tw-year active duty requirement are as fllws. A veteran need nly satisfy ne f the fllwing in rder t meet general state eligibility requirements fr military service: Shrt Initial Service Term. Veterans wh have cmpleted their full initial active duty service bligatin that was less than tw years-regardless f when they served. 90 Days active duty Service During a Statutrily-Designated Wartime Perid. Veterans wh accumulate 90 days r mre f active duty service (ther than fr training) during ne f the statutrily-designated Wartime Perids: Wrld War I, between April 6, 1917, and Nvember 11, Extended t April 1, 1920, if service was in the Sviet Unin, r Wrld War II, between August 27, 1940, and July 25, 1947, r Krean War, between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955, r Vietnam War, between August 5, 1964, and January 1, 1977, r Persian Gulf War, between August 1, 1990 and [an ending date yet t be established], r Afghanistan War, between September 11, 2001, and [an ending date yet t be established], r Iraq War, between March 19, 2003, and [an ending date yet t be established]. Expeditinary Medal. Veterans wh received, r are qualified t receive, the Armed Frces Expeditinary Medal (established by executive rder n December 4, 1961), the Navy Expeditinary Medal, the Marine Crps Expeditinary Medal, r equivalent expeditinary r service medal. Other perids f eligible active duty service: Berlin Crisis Service. Fr members f the Reserve r Natinal Guard wh were called t active duty under Sectin 1 f Executive Order dated August 10, 1961 and served at least 90 days n active duty, r if having served less than 90 days was hnrably discharged fr a service-cnnected disability r fr a disability subsequently adjudicated t have been service-cnnected r died in service. Vietnam Service. Veterans wh received, r are qualified t receive the Vietnam Service Medal (established by executive rder n July 8, 1965). Lebann Service. Veterans wh served at least ne day f active duty in Lebann between August 1, 1982, and August 1, Grenada Service. Veterans wh served at least ne day f active duty in Grenada between Octber 23, 1983, and Nvember 21, Middle East Crisis: Iran Hstage Crisis. Veterans wh were awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal fr the attempt t rescue American hstages in Iran; OR wh were held hstage in Iran AND awarded the Valr Ribbn. Middle East Crisis: Libya. Veterans wh participated in military actin against Libya n April 14, Middle East Crisis: USS Stark. Veterans wh served n the USS Stark n May 17, 1987.

13 13 Panama Service. Veterans wh served at least ne day f active duty in Panama between December 20, 1989, and January 31, Gulf War Service. Veterans wh served at least ne (1) day f active duty in supprt f Operatin Desert Shield r Operatin Desert Strm may be eligible if the veteran served: In the Middle East r in adjacent territrial r internatinal waters, and In supprt f Desert Shield r Desert Strm under an active-duty rder, unit assignment rder, r an invluntary extensin f an active-duty rder, and Between August 1, 1990 and [an ending date yet t be established]. Smalia Service. Veterans wh served at least ne day f active duty in Smalia r in territrial waters adjacent t Smalia between December 9, 1992, and [an ending date yet t be established]. Bsnia Service. Veterans wh served at least 90 days in Bsnia r ther statutrily designated areas between December 1, 1995, and [an ending date yet t be established]. Operatin Enduring Freedm Service. Veterans wh served fr 90 days r mre in supprt f Operatin Enduring Freedm r an peratin that is a successr t Operatin Enduring Freedm r served in the theater f peratins: Under an active duty rder, a unit assignment rder, r an invluntary extensin f an active duty rder, and Were discharged under hnrable cnditins, and Whse service in supprt f Operatin Enduring Freedm was between September 11, 2001 and [an ending date yet t be established]. Qualifying Early Discharge. Veterans wh were discharged frm active duty due t: A service-cnnected disability (r during a wartime perid, a disability subsequently adjudicated t have been service-cnnected), r Hardship, r A reductin f frces (RIF). Death in Service. A servicemember n active duty (including federal military active duty service under Title 10 U.S. Cde by members f the Reserve r Natinal Guard) wh is killed in actin r wh therwise dies while n active duty is cnsidered t have satisfied the military service requirements fr eligibility fr Wiscnsin state veterans benefits, prgrams, and services fr themselves and any eligible dependents. Wiscnsin Residency fr Eligibility In general, t be eligible fr Wiscnsin state veterans benefits, prgrams, and services, a veteran must meet at least ne f the fllwing: Wiscnsin Resident befre Entering Active Duty. Was a resident f Wiscnsin at the time f entry r reentry int active duty; r, his r her selective service lcal bard, if any, and hme f recrd at the time f entry r reentry int active service as shwn n the veteran's reprt f separatin frm the U.S. armed frces fr a qualifying perid were in Wiscnsin, r Mved t Wiscnsin and taken an affirmative actin t secure their resident status as well as residing in Wiscnsin fr any cnsecutive 12-mnth perid after entry r re-entry int the service and befre the date f his r her applicatin r death. If the persn had mre than ne qualifying term f service, at least ne term f service must have met the residency requirements fr the purpse f establishing eligibility. Veterans wh are therwise eligible and wh are serving n active duty in the U.S. armed frces need nt be living in this state n the date f applicatin in rder t qualify fr state veterans benefits, prgrams, r services.

14 14 Wiscnsin Residency t Receive Benefits r Services The Wiscnsin G.I. Bill requires the veteran t have been cnsidered a Wiscnsin resident at the time f entry nt active service r wh has established and maintained status as a Wiscnsin resident fr at least 5 cnsecutive years immediately preceding the beginning f any semester r sessin. Character f service and active duty service requirements apply. The benefit recipient must reside in Wiscnsin. Members f the military serving n active duty need nt be living in Wiscnsin at the time f applicatin if they have retained their Wiscnsin residency fr incme tax purpses, with the exceptin f the Persnal Lan Prgram. All applicants fr the Persnal Lan Prgram must be a resident f and living in Wiscnsin, regardless f current military duty status. EDUCATION PROGRAMS The Wiscnsin G.I. Bill Effective with the Fall 2005 semester, the Wiscnsin G.I. Bill prvided a waiver ( remissin ) f tuitin fr eligible veterans and their dependents fr up t 8 full-time semesters r 128 credits, whichever is the greater f the tw, at any University f Wiscnsin System r Wiscnsin Technical Cllege System institutin. Effective January 1, 2014, recipients must maintain a cumulative grade pint average (gpa) f 2.0 in rder t receive the Wiscnsin GI Bill. Thse recipients belw a 2.0 gpa n January 1, 2014, will nt be eligible t receive the Wiscnsin GI Bill until their gpa rises t a 2.0 r abve and will need t cmplete the WDVA 2029 again t re-establish eligibility. Wiscnsin GI Bill Tuitin Remissin Prgram fr Veterans Effective Fall 2007, qualifying veterans received a 100% remissin. Effective with the 2010 Spring term, the State requires veterans eligible fr Pst 9/11 t use that benefit. Ch 30 Mntgmery veterans wh have 12 mnths r less f remaining benefits will be allwed t exhaust their Ch 30 benefits first in rder t qualify fr the additinal 12 mnths f eligibility under Pst 9/11. If a veteran des nt qualify fr the full 100% f the Pst 9/11 GI Bill, the Wiscnsin GI Bill wuld cver the remainder f the tuitin at the schl. Students can chse nt t switch benefits; hwever, thse wh d nt switch t Pst 9/11 will nt be able t use the WI GI Bill. Infrmatin n this is available at Effective Fall 2013, veterans wh have established and maintained status as a Wiscnsin resident fr at least 5 cnsecutive years immediately preceding the beginning f any semester r sessin fr which the student registers at an institutin may qualify, even if they were nt residents f Wiscnsin at the time f entry int a qualified perid f Active Duty under Title 10 rders. NOTE: This benefit des nt extend t the spuse r children. In rder t extend the benefit t the spuse r children the veteran must have entered a qualifying perid f Active Duty Service under Title 10 Orders as a Wiscnsin Resident. Wiscnsin GI Bill Tuitin Remissin Prgram fr Dependents A 100% remissin is prvided t the qualifying unremarried surviving spuse and children f a veteran wh died in the line f duty, and t the spuse and children f a veteran with substantial service-cnnected disabilities (cmbined VA service-cnnected disability rating f 30% r greater). Fr qualifying spuses, the benefit must be used within 10 years f the date f death r the initial disability rating f 30% r greater. Fr qualifying children, the benefit is available frm ages 18 thrugh 25. Fr the Wiscnsin G.I. Bill, the veteran must have entered service as a Wiscnsin resident. The benefit recipient must reside in

15 15 Wiscnsin. Please nte that nt all fees are waived (ie, textbk rental, special curse fees, etc.). Infrmatin n what prgrams and the amunt f tuitin/fees csts that are cvered can be fund at the fllwing website: Fr additinal infrmatin, eligibility criteria, instructins n hw t apply fr the Wiscnsin G.I. Bill, and statutry citatins fr the prgram and updated infrmatin n this prgram, see the WDVA B0105 brchure ( Veterans Educatin (VetEd) Reimbursement Grant The Veterans Educatin (VetEd) grant prgram prvides a reimbursement grant based n a credit-bank system that is based n length f active duty military service t eligible veterans wh have nt yet been awarded a bachelr s degree fr the reimbursement f tuitin and fees fllwing successful curse cmpletin at an eligible UW, technical cllege, r apprved private institutin f higher learning. Please see fr further requirements n this prgram. 1. Hw t Apply Yu can apply n-line (see paragraph belw) fr the Veterans Educatin (VetEd) Reimbursement Grant r thrugh the Cunty Veterans Offices. Currently, the applicatin must be cmpleted within 60 days after the starting date f the term. The WDVA has an n-line applicatin fr the Veterans Educatin (VetEd) Reimbursement Grant. The nline applicatin will expedite the prcessing time fr grant awards. Veterans wh have nt established eligibility fr WDVA benefits must still see their Cunty Veterans Service Officer t establish their eligibility befre making an educatin grant applicatin. Veterans may g t the Cunty Veterans Services Office and submit the n-line applicatin there; they may g t the Schl Veterans Officer/Crdinatr and apply there; r they may g n-line and cmplete an applicatin by themselves. Please nte that veterans must still prvide a cpy f their previus year s Federal Incme Tax frm fr incme verificatin. Veterans may send the tax frm directly t WDVA r have their Cunty Veterans Service Office send it in fr them. T start the applicatin prcess themselves, veterans shuld g t and fill ut the registratin infrmatin. They will then receive an frm WDVA giving them a passwrd t access the n-line applicatin. Veterans shuld then cmplete the apprpriate infrmatin and submit the applicatin, which will autmatically be ed t the Schl Veterans Official/Crdinatr fr their input. Once that infrmatin has been cmpleted, the Schl Veterans Official/Crdinatr will submit it t WDVA. When the applicatin is received at WDVA, it is checked t verify eligibility and then prcessed by the Grants Sectin. If additinal infrmatin is required, the veteran r the schl, as apprpriate, will be sent an e- mail requesting that infrmatin. Once all the required infrmatin is cmpleted the applicatin is prcessed fr payment. Restrictins: Reimbursement will nly be made fr curses which are part f the required curriculum fr a particular degree, diplma r certificate, which the veteran identifies n the applicatin as his r her educatinal bjective. Elective curses may be acceptable prvided the credits are needed fr the degree, diplma r certificate and a schl fficial s certifies. Beginning Fall 2005, graduate study will nt be allwed fr this grant. Fees: Reimbursement fr fees shall be limited t thse fees which are mandatry and unifrm fr the curses in which the veteran was enrlled and which were paid by the veteran t the qualifying schl.

16 16 Nn Duplicatin: Veterans eligible fr the Wiscnsin G.I. Bill, the Natinal Guard Tuitin Grant (NGTG) r Reserve Tuitin Assistance Prgram (TAP) are nt eligible fr VetEd. A veteran s eligibility fr any f these prgrams is the criterin fr VetEd eligibility, nt whether the veteran has applied fr either. Mntgmery G.I. Bill and Wiscnsin G.I. Bill: Veterans may currently receive Chapter 30 Mntgmery G.I. Bill (VA) benefits and VetEd fr the same semester. VetEd reimbursement will be reduced t the extent that tuitin and fees have already been paid by ther grants, schlarships, and remissins prvided fr the payment f tuitin and fees. Satisfactry Cmpletin: Reimbursement will nly be made fr semesters which are "satisfactrily cmpleted" as certified by the representative f the institutin, center r schl. Veterans must achieve at least 2.0 grade pint average r an average grade f C in the semester fr which reimbursement is requested t be eligible fr reimbursement. If the semester is nt satisfactrily cmpleted, n reimbursement will be made. Credit/Semester Limitatins: Veterans may receive grants fr up t eight full-time semesters based n their eligibility n the chart belw. Time Restrictins: Veterans may use VetEd fr full-time r part-time study up t their 10-year anniversary f leaving active duty (delimiting date). Once a veteran reaches their 10-year delimiting date the veteran may be enrlled as a full-time student, but will be reimbursed up t eleven credits fr academic perids that begin after May 27, Als, after the delimiting date, the department will bank a maximum f 60 unused credits and track the credits as they are used. Active Duty Military Service Credit Bank Credits/Full-time Semester 0-89 days n eligibility (same as current law) days 30 credits r 2 semesters days (2 years) 60 credits r 4 semesters 731+ days (+2 years) 120 credits r 8 semesters QUALIFICATION Schls: All University f Wiscnsin System institutins r centers, all Wiscnsin Technical Cllege System schls and all private schls (VetEd Grant nly) that meet the requirements. Incme Limit: The annual incme f the veteran and his r her spuse may nt exceed the Part-Time Study Grant incme limit (s (7)(a), Stats.), which is currently $50,000 plus $1,000 fr each dependent in excess f tw dependents. Hw t Apply: Veterans may apply fr VetEd thrugh their Cunty Veterans Service Officer, apply nline, r dwnlad an applicatin, WDVA Payment Prcessing Time: Once final grades are turned in and the Schl Veterans Official has reviewed and submitted the applicatin t WDVA, checks are nrmally issued within 5-10 business days - if the applicatin is cmplete. At the end f semesters, prcessing times may be lnger due t a heavy vlume f grants. Yu can minimize delays by prviding a cmplete applicatin. Items that are ften nt included are: current address, a surce f incme verificatin (e.g., current incme tax frm) r ther acceptable dcuments, and ther financial aid dcumentatin. If payment is nt received n an apprved grant after ten business days yu can cntact the WDVA accunting department t determine yur check's status at: WIS-VETS ( ).

17 17 WARNING: The WDVA receives a statewide supprt lien dcket listing all individuals wh have a delinquent child-supprt bligatin in Wiscnsin. Accrding t state law, the WDVA may nt apprve a Veterans Educatin Grant fr any applicant n the dcket unless the applicant prvides ne f the fllwing items: Prvides a statement signed by the Wiscnsin Department f Wrkfrce Develpment r its designee shwing that all delinquent bligatins have been paid. A cpy f a child-supprt repayment agreement that has been kept current fr the six mnth perid befre the date the WDVA receives the applicatin as lng as n lien exists. 1. WDVA Retraining Grant (RTG): Financial Assistance fr Recently Unemplyed r Underemplyed Veterans What is it? It is a grant t a recently unemplyed (r underemplyed) Veteran wh demnstrates financial need while being retrained fr emplyment. This is a grant, nt a lan, and des nt have t be repaid. What des recently unemplyed mean? The applicant must have becme unemplyed within the year prir t the date the applicatin is received at the Wiscnsin Dept f Vet Affairs (WDVA) r have received a ntice f terminatin f emplyment. Hw much is available? Up t $3000 per year, fr a maximum f 2 years. The amunt is based n financial need while being retrained fr emplyment. Other limitatins: Veterans are prhibited frm receiving the RTG if they receive the VetEd grant during the same semester. T apply, cntact the Cunty Veterans Service Office in yur cunty. Addresses and phne numbers are listed belw fr ur cunties. 2. WDVA Persnal Lan Prgram Up t $15,000 at an annual percentage rate varying frm 5 t 6 percent, depending n the type f security. This lan can be used fr 1) Debt cnslidatin; 2) Business related expenses; and, 3) Educatin expenses f veteran r dependents. 5. WDVA Primary Hme Lan and Hme Imprvement Lans Please cnsult yur lcal Cunty Veteran Service Office persnnel fr specific infrmatin regarding these lans. See page 17 fr the Federal Hme Lan Prgram. Cunty Veteran Service Offices: (CVSO) Elkhrn Jeffersn Rck Cunty Veteran Service Office Cunty Curthuse P.O. Bx W Walwrth Elkhrn, WI Phne: (262) cjrdan@c.walwrth.wi.us Cunty Veteran Service Office Cunty Curthuse 320 S Main St Jeffersn, WI Phne: (920) yvnned@c.jeffersn.wi.us Cunty Veteran Service Office Cunty Curthuse 51 S. Main Janesville, WI Phne: (608) rckcvs@c.rck.wi.us

18 18 WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS TUITION GRANT PROGRAM Frmer Gvernr Tmmy Thmpsn signed int law a 100% state tuitin reimbursement prgram fr all Wiscnsin Natinal Guard (air and army) members. Active Wiscnsin Guard members can wrk tward pst-high schl educatin and receive 100% f the tuitin csts back frm the State f Wiscnsin. Guard members are eligible fr the tuitin grant fr up t eight semesters f pst-high schl schlwrk, which includes technical cllege and undergraduate degrees, and ther advanced degrees. Payment is capped accrding t the csts f UW Madisn curses. (Please nte the reimbursement des nt cver any fees.) T apply fr the Natinal Guard Tuitin Grant, members can pick up the applicatin packet frm their unit, frm ur ffice, r access it n-line thrugh the Department f Military Affairs (DMA) website. The service member shuld fill ut the tp prtin f the frm and turn it in t the schl's Veterans Affairs Office. The frm will then be cmpleted and mailed t the Department f Military Affairs fr verificatin f eligibility after grades have been prcessed fr the term. After verificatin by DMA, the frm will be sent t Budget and Finance fr payment t the service member at the address in part ne. T receive the benefit f this prgram, members must apply fr the grant within 90 days f cmpletin f the curse. Als, the student must earn at least a C average (2.0 gpa) fr each semester that is claimed. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN WHITEWATER ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY Refer t the latest University catalg fr the requirements needed in rder t remain in Gd Academic Standing and t maintain academic prgressin. Student veterans wh d nt maintain gd standing and are academically dismissed will be reprted t the VA, as required by Title 38, Cde f Federal Regulatins, Part Student veterans can return t the University after serving their suspensin, if readmitted by the Admissins Office. OTHER VA RULES Because there are s many ways f receiving VA educatinal benefits (Chapter 30, Chapter 31 - Vc- Rehab, Chapter 32, Chapter 33 Pst 9/11, VEAP, Chapter 35 -Dependents, Chapter 1606 Reservists, and Chapter 1607 (REAP)), it is a gd idea t be aware f the rules gverning the use f GI Bill Benefits. The VA initiated the fllwing rules t reduce the risk f entitlement abuses. The restrictins are as fllws: 1. A prvisin regarding curse withdrawals requires that mitigating circumstances be autmatically cnsidered t exist in the first instance f withdrawal frm curses ttaling nt mre than 6 semester hurs. This is a ne time nly benefit. This means that the VA will allw yu t drp credits (1 t 6 credits) with n questins asked. 2. The VA will require repayment f benefits after the ne time nly drp benefit has been used. Therefre, drpping credits that culd affect yur benefit lad r withdrawing frm schl shuld be carefully cnsidered. (An exceptin t this wuld be if called t active duty.) 3. If a vet receives a nnpunitive grade (a grade that des nt get averaged int the G.P.A.--grade pint average--i.e., "W" withdrawal r NC n credit) that affects the benefit rate, they must submit mitigating circumstances t the VA in rder t avid repayment f funds. A punitive grade f "D" r "F" is still cnsidered earned credit and entitlement is nt affected.

19 19 4. The VA allws a year t make up an incmplete grade; hwever, please be aware that yur instructrs set the time limits n incmpletes earned at UW Whitewater. 5. The VA requires that vets attend their classes. Therefre, if the Veterans Office is ntified yu are nt attending classes, we are required t reprt that t the VA and they will require repayment f all benefits awarded. 6. The VA may require repayment f curses that are repeated fr a third attempt r replace a failing grade. Always check with the Veterans Office prir t repeating curses. In all f the abve cases, the VA will reduce benefits retractively t the beginning f a semester if mitigating circumstances are nt substantiated. Anther imprtant element f VA rules is the Schl's Standards f Prgress that appears in the previus article. GI benefits are a right, but the VA gverns hw a student uses them. Students with questins shuld see the veteran s benefits crdinatr n his/her campus. SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT V.A. EDUCATION BENEFITS 1. V.A. educatin benefits are nt taxable. 2. Payments are prrated fr the actual perid (t the day) that yu are enrlled. (Example: Start classes January 19--yur January check will be fr 13 days, nt the full mnthly rate.) 3. It nrmally takes three-six weeks fr any changes in curse wrk, dependent status, r address change t be reflected in yur benefits check. 4. Attendance nly will nt qualify yu fr veteran benefits. A veteran must be ding satisfactry wrk in all classes in rder t receive benefits. 5. Students in their last semester befre graduatin can add elective credits t their credit lad t becme eligible fr a higher benefit rate. (Example: A student wh needs nly six credits t graduate in May f 2010 may add six additinal credits t becme eligible fr full-time V.A. benefits.) 6. Call the Natinal Call Center at fr questins regarding VA educatinal benefits r use the VA s Right Nw Web (Ask a Questin) n-line. 7. Curses ffered via the radi are nt apprved fr VA educatinal benefits; hwever, TV/Cable, mst ff-campus and Internet curses are apprved. 8. The payment received n the first f the mnth is payment fr the previus mnth. (Example: April 1 check is fr March 1-31.) 9. If a student training under Chapter 30 (Active Duty Veteran) starts the term with at least ne (1) day f entitlement left, he/she will nrmally be paid t the end f the term. 10. If a student is eligible fr mre than ne VA Educatin Prgram (i.e. Chapter 30, 33, 1606, 1607) he/she can use nly ne chapter at a time; the ttal number f mnths awarded cannt exceed 48.

20 20 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NEW AND PROSPECTIVE VETS DIRECT DEPOSIT CHANGES Changes t direct depsit shuld be made directly thrugh the VA. Call their tll-free number ( ) t initiate thse requests. ADDRESS / NAME CHANGE It is imprtant t infrm Student Services if yu change yur name, address, r phne number. Yu shuld fill ut a Student Data Change Frm available at that ffice. It is necessary fr the schl t have current infrmatin in case f illness, an emergency, mailing grade reprts and ther fficial crrespndence. Outf-twn students must decide which address they want n file. Address changes and name changes shuld be reprted directly t VA at ( ) r thrugh Right Nw Web. ACADEMIC OR OTHER HELP If yu are having academic r ther prblems, please cntact yur vet cunselr r advisr fr assistance. Dn t wait until the end f the semester when it may be t late. FOR APPROVED PROGRAMS AT UW WHITEWATER SEE THE SCHOOL VA REPRESENTATIVE (OR YOUR COUNTY OR REGIONAL VA REPRESENTATIVE IF YOU ARE CHAPTER 31) OTHER INFORMATION FERPA FERPA is the federal Family Educatinal Rights and Privacy Act that sets frth requirements regarding the privacy f student recrds. FERPA gverns: The release f student educatin recrds maintained by the University and access t these recrds. Students are affrded certain rights cncerning their educatin recrds, including: The right t inspect and review the educatin recrds; The right t seek t have the recrds amended; and The right t have sme cntrl ver the disclsure f the infrmatin frm the recrds. Release f Infrmatin Students may authrize release f veterans benefits infrmatin t family members upn cmpletin f the Release frm available in the Veterans Office, Rseman 2032.