Minnesota GI Bill. Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators Spring 2014 Conference May 8 th, 2014

Transcription

1 Minnesota GI Bill Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators Spring 2014 Conference May 8 th, Agenda Minnesota GI Bill Overview of Program New Application Process beginning in Review of Online Process (Student, School and MDVA) Questions 2

2 General Eligibility Student Eligibility All students Minnesota Resident Student Complete a FAFSA for the aid year Enrolled at a participating Minnesota institution undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an education program leading to a certificate, diploma or degree Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Meeting child support payment obligations Not be 62 or older before the beginning of the term 3 Eligibility Based on Military Service IMPORTANT: Institutions no longer responsible for verifying a student is eligible based on military service If institution has documentation needed by MDVA on file, it must provide MDVA a copy or access to view it Institutions should generally understand the eligibility requirements to better serve students All students must meet one of four categories of eligibility based on military service: Eligible Veteran Eligible Non-Veteran Eligible Dependent of Service Member Eligible Spouse of Service Member 4

3 Eligibility Based on Military Service Eligible Veteran Important: Active Duty/Service must be for purposes other than training Be serving or have served honorably in any branch or unit of the United States armed forces at any time; and If not currently serving, been discharged under any condition other than dishonorable Served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or more; or Discharged (released from active duty) due to a disability incurred while on active duty; or 5 Eligibility Based on Military Service Eligible Veteran (continued) Served on active duty for 90 days or more in a foreign country during a time of hostilities in that country; or Been awarded any of the following medals: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, any other campaign medal authorized for service after 9/11/2001; or Received a service related medical discharge during any period of service in a foreign country during a time of hostilities. 6

4 Eligibility Based on Military Service Eligible Non-Veteran Student who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States armed forces and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001 Does not have to be currently serving to be eligible 7 Eligibility Based on Military Service Eligible Dependent or Spouse of Service Member Dependent or spouse of service member who has served at any time; and Who has died as a direct result of that military service; or Who has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans Administration Dependent or spouse must be eligible to receive Chapter 35 or Chapter 33 (as a dependent or spouse) federal VA education benefits 8

5 Eligibility Based on Military Service Required Documentation for Eligibility Based on Military Service (NEW FOR ) Only verification provided by MDVA is considered Required Documentation for eligibility based on military service Must be documented within the online database If the online database is unavailable for a short period of time, written documentation in paper or form is also acceptable to continue processing application but must have MDVA verification in online database before disbursement If a institution has documentation which is needed by MDVA to confirm eligibility based on military service, the institution must either provide it to MDVA or provide MDVA access to review it 9 Eligibility Questions?? 10

6 Application Process Complete Application includes: Student Application (online or paper form) Paper form can be submitted online on student s behalf by OHE, institution, MDVA and MN National Guard Education Office Required Documentation for Eligibility Based on Military Service Beginning in : Provided by MDVA within the MN GI Bill online database Prior to : Collected by institution and must be maintained for OHE auditing purposes Required Documentation for other Eligibility Requirements Completed FAFSA and if necessary, verification, resolution of conflicting information and/or reject codes completed Also includes but is not limited to documentation of Minnesota Resident status and Child Support Compliance 11 Application Process Incomplete applications Requested: Applications pending military service documentation Notified by MDVA within 30 days Requests additional documentation to verify military service Applications pending required documentation for other eligibility requirements Notified by institution after MDVA has verified eligibility based on military service in online database If MDVA has verified eligibility based on military service in a previous award year, institution must notify student within 30 days of the receipt of the application if other documentation is needed 12

7 Application Process Deadline Student application must be submitted before end of term to receive benefit in that term If application becomes complete after term has ended, benefit can be retroactively paid to the term in which the student applied Complete application Student should be notified of their eligibility or ineligibility within 30 days of the receipt of a complete application Exception: If a complete application is received prior to the beginning of the award year, the school should notify the student of their eligibility or ineligibility within 30 days of the beginning of the first term in which the student is enrolled (could be leading summer term) 13 Awarding Process Annual and Semester/Term Maximums Eligible Undergraduate Students Full Time (12 credits or more): Up to $1,000 per term, up to $3,000 per year and $10,000 lifetime Part Time (Less than 12 credits): Up to $500 per term, up to $3,000 per year and $10,000 lifetime Eligible Graduate Students Full Time (Determined by school): Up to $1,000 per term, up to $3,000 per year and $10,000 lifetime Part Time (Determined by school): Up to $500 per term, up to $3,000 per year and $10,000 lifetime Minimum benefit per term is $50 Lifetime Maximum: $10,000 14

8 Awarding Process Each eligible student is awarded a benefit amount based on the following calculation: State Grant budget for institution based on student s program and enrollment level multiplied by a factor of 1.2 Undergraduate : Four-year or less than four-year program MSG Budget X 1.2 Number of credits student is enrolled (1-15) Graduate: Maximum State Grant budget for a four-year program X 1.2 Using number of credits student is enrolled (1-8) Minus: Pell Grant, State Grant and all Federal Military or Veterans education benefits received in that term (except VRAP) Remaining balance is term benefit amount up to maximums 15 Term Benefit Calculation Example #1 Eligible Veteran attending Inver Hills CC at 12 credits for the Fall 2013 semester Receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill at 80% and EFC of 6000 Independent Student without dependents other than spouse Calculation Component Action Result Full Time 9-month State Grant Budget Full time 9-month average or capped tuition and fees Living and Miscellaneous Expense (LME) Full Time 9-month State Grant Budget Consists of the lessor of full time annual average or capped tuition and fees plus the annual Living and Miscellaneous Expense (LME) used for term Current Tuition and Fee Caps: $13,000 4 Year Programs $5,808 Less than 4 Year Programs Example: 2 Year Program Inver Hills Community College Average Annual T & F = $5,272 Current LME for Fall 2013: $7,900 $5,272 $7,900 $5,272 + $7,900 $13,172 16

9 Term Benefit Calculation Example #1 Calculation Component Action Result Full Time 9-month State Grant Budget $5,272 + $7,900 $13,172 Full Time 9-Month Cost of Attendance Full Time Term COA Term COA Prorated for Enrollment $13,172 X 1.2 (120% of MSG Budget) Divide $15,806 by 2 for Semesters (3 for Quarters) 12 Credits Prorate Full Time Term COA by 12/15 $7,903 X 12/15 or.8 (Reminder: Prorated using 8 credits as max for graduate students) $15,806 $7,903 $6, Term Benefit Calculation Example #1 Calculation Component Action Result Term COA Prorated for Enrollment Term Federal Pell and State Grant Term Remaining Need before Reduction for Federal Military and Veterans Education Benefits 12 Credits Prorate Full Time Term COA by 12/15 Reduce by amount student received or will receive Example: EFC: 6000 Pell ($0) and MSG ($1,435) $6,322 $4,887 $4,887 18

10 Term Benefit Calculation Example #1 Calculation Component Action Result Term Remaining Need before Reduction for all Federal Military and Veterans Education Benefits (except VRAP) Montgomery GI Bill Benefits Chapters 30,31,32,33,35, 1606 and 1607 and GI Bill Kickers Post 9/11 GI Bill Tuition & Fees Paid to Institution NOTE: Private institutions Maximum Chapter 33 T&F benefit per academic year is $19, (8/1/13-7/31/14) Post 9/11 GI Bill Book Allowance NOTE: Maximum is $1,000 per academic year prorated by eligibility percentage and enrollment level Reduce by amount paid directly to institution (Ch. 31 and 33) and amount paid to student Institutions may estimate based on percentage of eligibility and actual T&F but must verify with Business Office or student s account record Example: Receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill at 80% Estimate Tuition and Fees paid to Institution = T & F (12 credits) = $2,109 X.80 = $1,687/semester Example: $1,000 *.8 = $800/year or $33.34/credit 12 credits * $33.34 = $400 $4,887 $3,200 $2, Term Benefit Calculation Example #1 Calculation Component Action Result Term Remaining Need before Living Allowance and other benefits Post 9/11 GI Bill Living Allowance NOTE: Enter zip code of institution and E-5 as Pay Grade then use With Dependents amount regardless of whether or not student has dependents All other Federal Veterans or Military Education Benefits (Voc Rehab Stipend, ROTC, Fed Tuition Assistance, Army Cont. Education and others) Retrieve Living Allowance Rate for institution using BAH Calculator then calculate based on percentage of eligibility and length of term Example: Living Allowance Rate = $1,449/month $1,449 *.8 = $1,160/month or $290/week 16 weeks in semester * $290 = $4,640 Reduce by benefits student received or will receive Example: $0 $2,800 $0 or -$1,840 Term Remaining Need $0 Term Benefit Amount Student eligible for lesser of term maximum or term remaining need (minimum $50) $0 $0 20

11 Term Benefit Calculation Example #2 Eligible Veteran attending Hamline University at 12 credits for the Spring 2014 semester Receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill at 80% and EFC of 6000 Independent Student without dependents other than spouse Calculation Component Action Result Full Time 9-month State Grant Budget Full time 9-month average or capped tuition and fees Living and Miscellaneous Expense (LME) Full Time 9-month State Grant Budget Consists of the lessor of full time annual average or capped tuition and fees plus the annual Living and Miscellaneous Expense (LME) used for term Current Tuition and Fee Caps: $13,000 4 Year Programs $5,808 Less than 4 Year Programs Example: 4 Year Program Hamline University Average Annual T & F = $35,090 Current LME for Spring 2014: $7,900 $13,000 $7,900 $13,000 + $7,900 $20, Term Benefit Calculation Example #2 Calculation Component Action Result Full Time 9-month State Grant Budget $5,272 + $7,900 $20,900 Full Time 9-Month Cost of Attendance Full Time Term COA Term COA Prorated for Enrollment $20,900 X 1.2 (120% of MSG Budget) Divide $25,080 by 2 for Semesters (3 for Quarters) 12 Credits Prorate Full Time Term COA by 12/15 $12,540 X 12/15 or.8 (Reminder: Prorated using 8 credits as max for graduate students) $25,080 $12,540 $10,032 22

12 Term Benefit Calculation Example #2 Calculation Component Action Result Term COA Prorated for Enrollment Term Federal Pell and State Grant Term Remaining Need before Reduction for Federal Military and Veterans Education Benefits 12 Credits Prorate Full Time Term COA by 12/15 Reduce by amount student received or will receive Example: EFC: 6000 Pell ($0) and MSG ($2,680) $10,032 $7,352 $7, Term Benefit Calculation Example #2 Calculation Component Action Result Term Remaining Need before Reduction for all Federal Military and Veterans Education Benefits (except VRAP) Montgomery GI Bill Benefits Chapters 30,31,32,33,35, 1606 and 1607 and GI Bill Kickers Post 9/11 GI Bill Tuition & Fees Paid to Institution NOTE: Private institutions Maximum Chapter 33 T&F benefit per academic year is $19, (8/1/13-7/31/14) Institutions may estimate based on percentage of eligibility and actual T&F but must verify with Business Office or student s account record Reduce by amount paid directly to institution (Ch. 31 and 33) and amount paid to student Example: Receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill at 80% Annual Max T & F = $19, X.8 = $15,359 Estimated Tuition and Fees paid to institution assuming student enrolled 12 credits/semester = Fall 2012 = $35,090/2 *.8= $14,036 Spring 2013 = $15,359 $14,036 = $1,323 $7,352 $6,029 24

13 Term Benefit Calculation Example #2 Calculation Component Action Result Term Remaining Need before Book, Living Allowances, other benefits Post 9/11 GI Bill Book Allowance NOTE: Maximum is $1,000 per academic prorated by percentage of eligibility and enrollment level Post 9/11 GI Bill Living Allowance NOTE: Enter zip code of institution and E-5 as Pay Grade then use With Dependents amount regardless of whether or not student has dependents All other Federal Veterans or Military Education Benefits (Voc Rehab Stipend, ROTC, Fed Tuition Assistance, Army Cont. Education and others) Example: $1,000 *.8 = $800/year or $33.34/credit 12 credits * $33.34 = $400 Retrieve Living Allowance Rate for institution using BAH Calculator then calculate based on percentage of eligibility and length of term Example: Living Allowance Rate = $1,449/month $1,449 *.8 = $1,160/month or $290/week 15 weeks in semester * $290 = $4,350 Reduce by benefits student received or will receive Example: $0 $6,029 $5,629 $1,279 $1, Term Benefit Calculation Example #2 Calculation Component Action Result Term Remaining Need $1,279 Term Benefit Amount Student eligible for lesser of term maximum or term remaining need (minimum $50) $1,000 26

14 Awarding Process Students may apply for and receive funding up to the annual maximum award amount ($3,000) May receive funding for 3 semesters/4 quarters (full time) Will often include summer or crossover terms If a term does not overlap two aid years, it must be paid from the aid year in which it occurs 27 Awarding Process Crossover term awards may be made from either aid year on a student-by-student basis: Whichever aid year is selected, the State Grant award calculation budget for that aid year must be used to calculate the award The amount of Pell Grant and State Grant subtracted within the calculation should be the actual amount awarded, even if awarded from a different aid year Need analysis, laws, rules and policies in place for the aid year from which funding is drawn must be applied when calculating the award 28

15 Awarding Process Recalculation of Benefit Amount Must recalculate if student receives federal veterans education benefits not anticipated in the original calculation May recalculate if federal benefit amount is less than anticipated but must recalculate all subsequent terms Must recalculate if EFC or other FA eligibility changes impact Pell or State Grant amount during a term and must recalculate for all subsequent terms May recalculate if student does not fully withdraw but adds/drops courses after the drop/add period or award adjustment end date if the student is eligible for an increased due to the change in enrollment If student fully withdraws must use the OHE refund calculation 29 Disbursement Process Benefit must be disbursed by academic term No benefit disbursed to a student for a payment period or period of enrollment until the student is enrolled (registered) for classes for that period Refund required if student, before the first day of classes or end of add/drop period: officially or unofficially withdraws; or is expelled; or fails to attend any classes Institution must ensure calculation and disbursement records submitted in online database are accurate and match internal records 30

16 Allocation Process Initial allocation based on amount requested by institution when completing annual participation agreement Notification of allocation amount sent prior to distribution Institutions will generally receive 50% of initial annual allocation in September/October and remaining 50% in January Institutions may request additional funds if the initial allocation does not cover its anticipated need Refund requests and reallocation notices sent regularly to institutions at different times during the year Excess funds not disbursed to students must be refunded within 30 days of any refund request or by August Overview Questions?? 32

17 Online Process Students 33 Online Process Students 34

18 Online Process Students 35 Online Process Financial Aid Office Click here to login 36

19 Online Process Financial Aid Office 1. Select the program you wish to access 37 Online Process Financial Aid Office 1. Select your school code from the drop down list 2. Enter your username and password 3. Then, click Log In button 38

20 Online Process Financial Aid Office 1. Select Schools from menu (Don t click on Schools just hold mouse over it) 2. Click on desired tool from the menu Important Reminders: To view a list of applications you wish to update or submit/edit benefit checklists and calculators for, click on the words List of Applications To view or edit an application and submit/edit benefit checklists and calculators for an individual student click on Update Student Application 39 Online Process Financial Aid Office Current Status of MDVA verification of eligibility based on military service verified displays on List of Applications 40

21 Online Process Financial Aid Office Military Service Eligibility Status from MDVA can be seen on List of Applications and individual calculators Must say Veteran, Non-Veteran, Spouse or Dependent Other statuses show where student application is in process Pending: New application and no action has been taken by MDVA Requested: MDVA not able to confirm student meets military service requirements based on its records and contacted student by and/or phone requesting additional documentation Not Eligible: MDVA determined student does not meet military service requirements (student may contact MDVA Coordinator for clarification and to provide additional documentation) Disqualified: Students received in the past but not currently eligible (due to MDVA clarification of veteran definition) 41 Online Process Financial Aid Office 2. To see only applications with or without a submitted benefit checklist and calculator select desired type from drop down 1. Choose Award Year 3. Click on Get the List 4. To view or edit application and benefit checklist and calculator for student, click on Edit Application button associated with student s record 42

22 Online Process Financial Aid Office Displays bio and application info submitted online Important Reminders: To make changes to biographical data for student (other than SSN), edit the information and click on Submit at bottom of page Contact OHE to make a change to the SSN 43 Online Process Financial Aid Office Important Reminders: No need to make changes to other application information including other benefits, military service dates, etc. If paper application submitted by student but institution entered application online at a later date, enter date paper application received as Date Student Submitted Application and click on Submit 1. To submit/view/edit benefit checklist and calculator for student, click on Calculator 44

23 Online Process Financial Aid Office 1. Select term to submit, view or edit a benefit checklist and calculator for that term 2. Click on Get Data button NOTE: Lifetime Benefit Disbursed information displayed here Current Status of MDVA verification of eligibility based on military service verified displays on calculator 45 Online Process Financial Aid Office Note: May list benefits sent directly to institution under one benefit type and those sent to student under another 3. Complete all required fields marked with (*) including School Official Name and Date Award Calculated 4. Click on Calculate 5. To save benefit checklist and calculator, click on Save 46

24 Online Process Financial Aid Office 1. Click on View and Update Student Disbursements by Term to view award and disbursement info by term 47 Online Process Financial Aid Office 1. Select desired term 2. Click Get Data 3. Click on Edit link next to student s SSN to update disbursement amount for an individual student 48

25 Online Process Financial Aid Office 5. To save disbursement amount, click on Update link next to student s SSN 4. Enter amount disbursed to student Note: Amount cannot be more than Term Award 49 Online Process Questions?? 50

26 Contact Information Megan FitzGibbon Minnesota Office of Higher Education Manager of Scholarship Programs 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350 Saint Paul, Minnesota (651) (800) (651) (FAX) Dave Bellefeuille MDVA Higher Ed Veterans Programs Statewide Supervisor (651)