The Post 9/11 GI BILL & PL Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Worcester State University Certifying Official Conference

Transcription

1 The Post 9/11 GI BILL & PL Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Worcester State University Certifying Official Conference

2 State Approving Agency Overview The GI Bill (Recap) The Post 9/11 GI Bill How Chapter 33 is structured Public Law Communication - The Big Picture Certification Payments Summary of Responsibilities

3 The GI Bill Title 38 U.S Code & Code of Regulations Existing Beneficiary Chapters Chapter 30 Active Duty Chapter 32 Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP) Chapter 35 Survivors & Dependents (DEA) Chapter 1606 Selective Reserve (MGIB-SR) Chapter 1607 Selective Reserve (REAP) Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill (Veterans Education Assistance Act 2008) Effective 8/1/09 S.3447 / Public Law Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2010 Effective 8/1/2011

4 What is the Post 9/11 GI Bill? Extends benefit eligibility to 15 years* Beneficiaries receive 36 months of benefits or 48 months if eligible for more than one program Consists of three payments Tuition & fees (paid directly to school) Book stipend up to $ per year Housing allowance based on school zip Transferability provision to dependents* Length of service establishes maximum benefit Veteran/Dependent is responsible for charges not covered by VA money.

5 Chapter 33 Eligibility Active Duty* Service (after 9/10/01 serve an aggregate of) % of Maximum Benefit Payable 36 months continuous days (Must be discharged with a disability) months, but less than 36 months months, but less than 30 months months, but less than 24 months months, but less than 18 months months, but less than 12 months days, but less than 06 months 40 *Includes some but not all National Guard Title 32 activation going back to 8/1/09 but not payable to 10/1/2011

6 Tuition (paid to school) Fees (paid to school) Veterans 1 Active Duty Members 2 Up to the highest in-state undergrad tuition ($340/credit) Up to the highest in-state undergrad fees ($20,793.50/term) BAH 3 Same as E-5 w/ dependents; school ZIP code Book Stipend Basic Payments IHL Programs Only $41.67/credit or up to $1,000/yr Prorated % Based on Active Duty Effective March 5, 2011 Prorated % Based on Active Duty Effective March 5, 2011 Ineligible to receive Ineligible to receive 1 Rates also apply to children of veterans or active duty members, and to spouses of veterans 2 Rates also apply to spouses of active duty members; Title 10 activation for at least 90 days 3 Students enrolled for ½ time or less or pursuing courses via 100% distance learning are ineligible for the housing allowance

7 Yellow Ribbon Program For 100%-eligible Ch. 33 veterans or dependents Active duty members are ineligible Intended to pay for costs not covered by the basic payments Dollar-matching program between the school and VA Veteran will be responsible for any remaining costs Yellow Ribbon Program is not guaranteed Limited availability first come, first serve Optional participation by the school A list of participating schools can be found on the VA web site:

8 Changes Public Law March 5, 2011 August 1, 2011 October 1, 2011

9 Basic Payments (After 8/1/11) Public Institution of Higher Learning Veterans 1 Active Duty Members 2 Tuition & Fees (paid to school) BAH 3 Book Stipend Will pay up to 100% of Actual Public IHL Net Cost 4 E-5 w/ dependents; school ZIP code (Prorated) Up to $1,000/year Same as Veterans Ineligible to receive Same as Veterans 1 Rates also apply to children of veterans or active duty members, and to spouses of veterans 2 Rates also apply to spouses of active duty members; Title 10 or qualifying 32 activation for at least 90 days 3 Students enrolled for ½ time or less are ineligible for the housing allowance 4 All applicable Federal & State Aid must be applied before GI Bill payment (excluding title IV funds)

10 Basic Payments (After 8/1/11) Private / Foreign IHL Veterans 1 Active Duty Members 2 Tuition & Fees (paid to school) Will pay up to $17,500 per academic year for Private IHL Net Cost 4 Same as Veterans Capped at $17, BAH 3 Book Stipend E-5 w/ dependents; school ZIP code (Prorated) Up to $1,000/year Ineligible to receive Same as Veterans 1 Rates also apply to children of veterans or active duty members, and to spouses of veterans 2 Rates also apply to spouses of active duty members; Title 10 or qualifying 32 activation for at least 90 days 3 Students enrolled for ½ time or less are ineligible for the housing allowance 4 All applicable Federal & State Scholarship and Grant Aid must be applied before GI Bill payment (excluding title IV funds)

11 Additional Provisions (August 1, 2011) 100% Distance Education (On Line / Correspondence) IHL s gets 50% BAH Rate (Must be 51% enrolled or greater) BAH tied to national average Payments Effective of 10/1/2011 BAH is prorated to nearest 10 th of Rate of Pursuit (E.G. Student going 7 credits = 58.3% Enrollment = 60% of BAH) Yellow Ribbon Program will still be around Can be used (if applicable) to cover public IHL out of state T&F costs (OR) private IHL T&F costs above the 17, annual cap School MUST have submitted agreement to VA to use this program Interval payments no longer paid Allows Voc Rehab (Chapter 31) to choose Post 9/11 BAH if they qualify for both programs

12 Additional Provisions (Cont.) Kickers (if applicable) will be paid monthly rather than a lump sum School reporting fees will increase ($7 / $12) to ($11 / $15) Standard college degree programs offered at accredited public and private-not-for-profit schools will be deemed already approved for VA Education benefits The SAA will be conducting additional compliance and oversight visits The VA will also be able to disapprove programs as well On October 1, Post 9/11 benefits will be open to NCD, Flight, OJT, Apprenticeship, and LACAS

13 Basic Payments (After 10/1/11) Private Non College Degree Veterans 1 Active Duty Members 2 Tuition & Fees (paid to school) Will pay up to $17,500 per academic year for Private NCD Net Cost 4 Same as Veterans Capped at $17, BAH 3 Book Stipend E-5 w/ dependents; school ZIP code (Prorated) Pays Max of $83.00 per month (Prorated) Ineligible to receive Same as Veterans 1 Rates also apply to children of veterans or active duty members, and to spouses of veterans 2 Rates also apply to spouses of active duty members; Title 10 or qualifying 32 activation for at least 90 days 3 Students enrolled for ½ time or less are ineligible for the housing allowance 4 All applicable Federal & State Scholarship and Grant Aid must be applied before GI Bill payment (excluding title IV funds)

14 Communication is Key Student School Veterans Admin Enrollment Certification T&F Payment BAH & Book Cert. of Eligibility FAFSA [ Veterans Certifying Official Registrar Financial Aid Bursar / Billing Tuition / Fee Bill

15 Enrollment Certifications: VA Form (Side A) & (Side B) Certifies Student s enrollment with Veterans Administration Contains Student Information, Program (name, clock/ credit hours enrolled, NET tuition charges, start /end dates Requests for advanced or accelerated payment (If applicable) Remarks section Signature Side A is for Institutions of Higher Learning & Non College Degree Side B is for Apprenticeship, OJT Flight or Correspondence VA form b (VERY IMPORTANT!!) Filled out if anything on changes - regardless if cost changes

16 When can you Certify a Student: Institutions of Higher Learning (Chapter 33) As early as possible If tuition and fees are known, submit term dates, credits and actual NET cost for T&F charges for each term If tuition and fees are NOT known, submit term dates, credits and $0.00 cost for T&F charges for each term Once tuition and fee charges are determined submit an amended enrollment certification with net cost, term dates and credits Institutions of Higher Learning (Non Chapter 33) 120 days prior to the beginning of the term unless: The student is less than ½ time, on active duty or certified for accelerated payment. The certification (including tuition and fees) has to be reported on or after the first day of class

17 Example of a

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19 Payments to School

20 Identifying Payments to School IHL Name and address Facility Code

21 Identifying Payments to School Abbreviated RPO station number 07 = Buffalo 16 = Atlanta 31 = St. Louis 51 = Muskogee VER062509ELR

22 Identifying Payments to School Claimant s VA file number (8-digit file number or social security number) VER062509ELR

23 Identifying Payments to School Amount of payment issued Enrollment period covered by payment VER062509ELR

24 Identifying Payments to School Claimant s address Benefit payment type 33T = Tuition and fees 33Y = Yellow Ribbon Program VER062509ELR 24

25 School Information (Flintstone University) Benefit Summary Total Tuition (Per Credit) $ Tuiton and Fees $ 17, Fees (Per Credit) $ Housing (Paid to Student) $ 18, Term 4 Months Fall /Spring Books Paid to Student $ 1, Boston ZIP (BAH) Housing $ 2, Total $ 36, Student's 9/11 Teir is 100% Full Benefit (+ Possible Yellow Ribbon) Student'S FAFSA Results Mass Grant (non Title IV) $ 2, Discount Since student is in 100% eligibility Teir Yellow Ribbon General Scholarship $ 2, No may be applied to cover student's remaining balance Tuition Scholarship $ 2, Discount Title IV Pell Grant $ 1, No Title IV Stafford $ 4, No TOTAL DISCOUNT $ 4, Fall Term VA Pays Direct to Student Tuition & Fee Enrollment Certified VA Pays Students Bill for Undergrad Credits Certified Cost W/VA to School Term Housing Books Total for Term 12 $ 13, % $ 11, $ 11, $ - $ 9, $ $ 20, $ 9, % $ 7, $ 7, $ - $ 7, $ $ 15, $ 7, % $ 5, $ 5, $ - $ 5, $ $ 11, $ 6, % $ 4, $ 4, $ - $ - $ $ 4, $ 3, % $ 1, $ 1, $ - $ - $ $ 1, Spring Term VA Pays Direct to Student Tuition & Fee Enrollment Certified VA Pays Students Bill for Undergrad Credits Certified Cost W/VA to School Term Housing Books Total for Term 12 $ 13, % $ 11, $ 6, $ 4, $ 9, $ $ 15, $ 9, % $ 7, $ 9, $ 7, $ $ 17, $ 7, % $ 5, $ 11, $ 5, $ $ 17, $ 6, % $ 4, $ 12, $ - $ $ 13,150.02

26 School Information (Flintstone University) Benefit Summary Total Tuition (Per Credit) $ Tuiton and Fees Paid to School) $ 10, Fees (Per Credit) $ Housing (Paid to Student) $ 10, Term 4 Months Fall /Spring Books Paid to Student $ Boston ZIP (BAH) Housing $ 2, Total $ 22, Student's 9/11 Teir is 60% 60 % of Benefit Student'S FAFSA Results Mass Grant (non Title IV) $ 2, Discount General Scholarship $ 2, No Tuition Scholarship $ 2, Discount Title IV Pell Grant $ 1, No Title IV Stafford $ 4, No TOTAL DISCOUNT $ 4, Fall Term VA Pays Direct to Student Tuition & Fee Enrollment Certified VA Pays Students Bill for Undergrad Credits Certified Cost W/VA to School Term Housing Books Total for Term 12 $ 13, % $ 11, $ 10, $ $ 5, $ $ 16, $ 9, % $ 7, $ 7, $ - $ 4, $ $ 12, $ 7, % $ 5, $ 5, $ - $ 3, $ $ 9, $ 6, % $ 4, $ 4, $ - $ - $ $ 4, $ 3, % $ 1, $ 1, $ - $ - $ $ 1, Spring Term VA Pays Direct to Student Tuition & Fee Enrollment Certified VA Pays Students Bill for Undergrad Credits Certified Cost W/VA to School Term Housing Books Total for Term 12 $ 13, % $ 11, $ - $ 11, $ 5, $ $ 5, $ 9, % $ 7, $ 2, $ 4, $ $ 7, $ 7, % $ 5, $ 4, $ 3, $ $ 8, $ 6, % $ 4, $ 4, $ - $ $ 4,850.02

27 Overpayments & Refund Liabilities: At-A-Glance Effective Date of Change On or BEFORE start of term AFTER first day of term School All tuition and fees* Certain rules apply (next slide) Liability Veteran/Dependent n/a Pro-rated** amount of tuition and fees, and housing stipend, if applicable *VA will send a debt notification letter to school **Pro-rated if reducing credits; Full refund if withdrawing completely (0 credits)

28 School Refund Liability Certified But Never Attended Withdraws on or before first day of term School received payment for wrong student School received duplicate payment Amended certification sent with reduction of tuition or Yellow Ribbon contribution Student died before or during term VA paid school too much *VA will send a debt notification letter to school

29 Overpayments: Scenario Fall Term: Student with 100%-eligibility reduces to 9 credits after the first day of term; Overpayment will be an amount of $5, pro-rated based on the number of days attended divided by total number of days Fall Term VA Pays Direct to Student Undergrad Credits Tuition & Fee Enrollment Certified VA Pays Students Bill Certified Cost W/VA to School for Term Housing Books Total for Term Overpayment 12 $ 13, % $ 11, $ 11, $ - $ 9, $ $ 20, $ 9, % $ 7, $ 7, $ - $ 7, $ $ 15, $ 5, $ 7, % $ 5, $ 5, $ - $ 5, $ $ 11, $ 6, % $ 4, $ 4, $ - $ - $ $ 4, $ 3, % $ 1, $ 1, $ - $ - $ $ 1, Spring Term VA Pays Direct to Student Undergrad Credits Tuition & Fee Enrollment Certified VA Pays Students Bill Certified Cost W/VA to School for Term Housing Books Total for Term Overpayment 12 $ 13, % $ 11, $ 6, $ 4, $ 9, $ $ 15, $ 9, % $ 7, $ 6, $ 1, $ 7, $ $ 13, $ 7, % $ 5, $ 11, $ 5, $ $ 17, $ 6, % $ 4, $ 4, $ - $ $ 4, $ 9, $ 3, % $ 1, $ 1, $ - $ $ 1,425.01

30 School Responsibilities (Records) School must correctly certify students ( ) / VAONCE & have means to monitor student progress & enrolment (IF) anything changes VA must be notified ( b) / VAONCE All records must be kept securely in the student s folder and available for inspection (3 years after they ve attended) Academic Program (including outline /guide to graduation) Certifications Transcripts (including transfer credit) / Grades Drop Slips / Registration Slips All related VA paperwork Tuition and fee charges Any disciplinary paperwork Student must receive proper counseling as to their academic program 30

31 School Responsibilities (Yellow Ribbon) Adhere to the Schools Yellow Ribbon Agreement Keep VA and SAA informed of current CO ( ) & follow-up Keep all records of students awarded Yellow Ribbon funds Track the number of students enrolled in YRP Develop and document the process for the first come-first serve yellow ribbon award process Remember - Not all students are eligible for yellow ribbon YRP Excludes: less than 100% eligibility Active duty & spouses of active duty (regardless of active duty time) Fry Scholarship recipients Veterans not drawing Chapter 33 / Post 9/11 31

32 School Responsibilities (Student) Assist student in applying for education benefits Be available & friendly Help student fill out applications & resolve any issues needed Make sure that student knows their responsibilities Keep copies of appropriate applications VONAPP FAFSA Current Information booklets / flyers Packets Maintain point contacts for student Be Veteran Friendly Make sure institution has appropriate policies and resources in place so student can pursue his/her academic program Be considerate of veterans unique needs while pursuing his/her academic goals 32

33 Student Responsibilities Apply for benefits ( / VONAPP) and provide the school with the Certificate of Eligibility Complete a FAFSA Apply to the Institution and contact the School Certifying Official. Keep them informed as to add/drops and all other changes Report any odd correspondence / payments they receive Advise the CO if they are going to leave after they ve been certified (student could be being deployed, experiencing hardship or other) Student should advise the SCO if they ve exhausted their tuition and fee benefit Maintain satisfactory academic progress Students Drawing Chapters 30, 1607 & 1607 must verify their attendance on the WAVE system 33

34 Questions