An Update on State & Federal Military Programs

Transcription

1 An Update on State & Federal Military Programs Northern Illinois VA School Certifying Officials (SCO) Training June 4, 2015 Presented by: Dan Wellman, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Kim Eck, Illinois Student Assistance Commission

2 Agenda New IDVA Leadership Illinois Joining Forces Section 702 of Public Law Federal Legislation Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Tools and Resources 2

3 New IDVA Leadership Director Erica Jeffries Assistant Director Harry Sawyer 3

4 Illinois Joining Forces A state-wide, public-private network of veteran- and military-serving organizations that have come together to provide you assistance the No Wrong Door approach A network of organizations committed to serving veterans, service members, and their families A responsive system of support, linked together to share information, host events, and provide military cultural competence training to community members and service providers 4

5 Illinois Joining Forces Help you navigate the sea of goodwill in Illinois by helping you locate the right kind of assistance for you or your family Gives you a searchable database of networked military and veteran resources in Illinois with the ability to connect directly with the right one for you in your area Provide information about upcoming veteran/military events Provides you with a referral service to help you connect with providers who can assist you with a large variety of issues 5

6 Illinois Joining Forces IJF Working Groups Behavior Health Benefits and Emergency Assistance Education Employment and Job Training Families, Children and Survivors Financial Literacy Homelessness and Housing Legal Support Women Veterans 6

7 illinoisjoiningforces.org 7

8 Section 702 of Public Law Public Law , in part, provides that the VA Secretary shall disapprove public institutions of higher learning that fail to provide covered individuals, pursuing an education under Chapters 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) or 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill), with charges for tuition and fees that are same or less than the rate of tuition and fees charged to residents of the State in which the institution of higher learning is located, regardless of the covered individual s State of residence. 8

9 Section 702 of Public Law Defines a covered individual as an individual receiving either Montgomery or Post 9/11 GI Bill educational assistance; and Enrolls within 3 years of discharge after serving 90 days or more on active duty; or Anyone using transferred entitlement within 3 years of the transferor s discharges after serving 90 days or more on active duty; or Surviving Spouse or children under the Fry Scholarship who enroll within 3 years of an active duty Service member s death in the line of duty after serving 90 days or more; or Individuals who remain continuously enrolled after initially meeting the requirements and are using Chapter 30 or 33. 9

10 Section 702 of Public Law The Section further provides that the Secretary of the VA may waive the requirements of this Section and that disapproval under this Section shall only apply to Chapters 30 and 33. Signed into law in August The provisions of Section 702 were scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2015, however, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has used his authority to waive the provisions of Section 702 of the Choice Act as to programs that are not in compliance for terms beginning prior to January 1, 2016, allowing additional time for states and territories to make the necessary changes, while making sure Veterans education benefits continue uninterrupted. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has requested that states and territories not already in compliance submit their plans for compliance by June 15,

11 Section 702 of Public Law Current Illinois State Law Illinois Public Act amended the various University Acts and Public Community College Act to provide that any person utilizing benefits under the federal Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or any subsequent variation of that Act, shall be deemed an Illinois resident or in-district resident, as applicable for tuition purposes. This Act took effect immediately and started with the academic year. Current Illinois law does not deem Chapter 30 veterans as an Illinois resident or in-district resident. 11

12 Section 702 of Public Law Current Illinois State Legislation House Bill 3962 amends the various University Acts and Public Community College Act to provide that any person utilizing benefits under the federal All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 30) shall be deemed an Illinois resident or in-district resident, as applicable for tuition purposes. This legislation would take effect with the academic year. Sponsors: Rep. Katherine Cloonen, Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, and Rep. Robert W. Pritchard. Status: As of May 26, 2015, passed both Houses. The USDVA Section 702 team has communicated that enactment of House Bill 3692 will ensure Illinois compliance with Section GA=99&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=89890&SessionID=88 12

13 Section 702 of Public Law Potential Impact with Non-Compliance Each public university or community college will have a chance to adopt a written policy deeming Chapter 30 beneficiaries as an Illinois resident or in-district resident, as applicable for tuition purposes. The Illinois State Approving Agency would have to cancel the Chapter 30 approval for Illinois public universities and community colleges not in compliance with Section 702 by the effective date. Approximately 1800 plus Chapter 30 beneficiaries will not be able to receive their federal veterans educational benefits at public universities and community colleges in Illinois. A loss of approximately $3.1 million in monthly benefits and $30 million plus annually. 13

14 Fry Scholarship Expanded Effective January 1, 2015 the Fry Scholarship program expanded to surviving spouses. The Fry Scholarship is an amendment to the Post-9/11 GI Bill that makes education benefits available to the surviving spouses and children of service members who die in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001 Eligible surviving spouses and children attending school may receive full tuition coverage at stateoperated colleges and universities, plus a monthly living stipend and book allowance under this program. Surviving spouses can use the Fry Scholarship for 15 years from the anniversary of the service member's death or until they remarry. A surviving spouse who is eligible for more than one GI Bill benefit must make an irrevocable written election of which benefit they wish to receive by completing a VA Form Eligible children can use the Fry Scholarship between the ages of 18 and 33 Children under age 18 cannot use this benefit even if they have completed high school. The child's marital status does not affect eligibility for the Fry Scholarship. Eligible persons attending school may receive: Full tuition & fees paid directly to the school for all public school in-state students. For those attending private or foreign schools tuition & fees are capped at $20, per academic year. A monthly housing allowance A books & supplies stipend However, they are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. 14

15 Federal Legislation HR 475 (In-Part) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to alter the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration to ensure that: (1) all claims for post- 9/11 educational assistance are electronically adjudicated, to the maximum extent possible; and (2) rule-based processing is used to decide such claims with little human intervention. Appropriates $30 million for IT upgrades. Changes from July 1, 2015, to July 1, 2016, the effective date of the requirement that the Secretary disapprove, for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force and the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance programs, courses of education provided by a public educational institution of higher education that charges veterans living in the state higher tuition and fees than it charges in-state residents, regardless of the veterans' state of residence. Directs the Secretary to make available to educational institutions, through an Internet website, information on the amount of educational assistance to which their students are entitled under the all-volunteer force, post-vietnam era, post-9/11, and survivors' and dependents' educational assistance programs. 15

16 Federal Legislation HR 476 Clarifies SAA approval authority for programs that meet the criteria of 38 USC 3672 (deemed approved). Limits aviation programs at public IHLs to prevailing annual cap. Limits payments for flight training at IHLs to those programs that require flight training to complete the degree (eliminates ability to take flight courses as elective credit). Directs the VA to conduct annual compliance surveys at facilities with 20 or more GI Bill recipients at least once every two years. 16

17 ISAC s Military Programs Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program and Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program Entitlement programs Awarded to all eligible applicants regardless of funding level Specified by Illinois statute Chapter 110, Higher Education Student Assistance Act Assistance to be granted as long as federal government provides educational benefits to veterans Available at all four-year public universities and public community colleges 17

18 IVG and ING Grant Eligibility Units Students receive 120 units of eligibility* Equivalent to four academic years of full-time enrollment Units are based on the enrolled hours for a term: # of Hours Semester School Quarter School 12 or more 12 units 8 units units 6 units units 4 units units 2 units unit 1 unit * Members of the Illinois National Guard who have served at least 10 years in the Guard may be eligible to receive up to 180 units (6 years) of eligibility for the ING Grant. 18

19 IVG Benefits Pays tuition and mandatory fees Students attending out-of-district community colleges receive in-district rates and are not responsible for the difference No minimum enrollment requirement Available to undergraduate and graduate students Academic year begins with summer term 19

20 IVG Eligibility Requirements Served at least one year federal active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States Includes the Illinois National Guard and Reserve component of the Armed Forces If less than one year, veteran may qualify if: Service was in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country Separation was for medical reasons directly connected to such service Service was prior to August 11, 1967 Separation characterized as honorable If still in the Armed Forces, veteran must verify continued eligibility upon discharge 20

21 IVG Eligibility Requirements Student must meet one of these: was a resident of Illinois at the time of entering federal active duty or within six months prior was a student at an Illinois public university or community college at the time of entering federal active duty service AND one of these: established or plans to establish Illinois residency within six months after separation from the Armed Forces established Illinois residency within six months after spouse was separated from military service 21

22 Applying for IVG ISAC application available at isac.org to download/print Can be submitted anytime during academic year Only need to submit one time Applicants must also submit a copy of their Department of Defense Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214 Member 4 copy) or its equivalent for all periods of active service 22

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25 Applying for IVG An applicant who is a member of the Armed Forces at the time of application must submit a letter from the commanding officer indicating: that the applicant is a member of the Armed Forces character of service applicant s home of record at the time of enlistment length of time in each period of federal active duty expiration date of current enlistment The student will be subject to verification of continued eligibility after each period of federal active duty service. 25

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29 IVG Notification Student receives Notice of Eligibility from ISAC Applicant must notify school of his/her eligibility no later than the last day of classes for the term for which the grant is requested Schools can access eligibility data and IVG benefit history in My Zone Eligibility information is refreshed every night Can view eligibility status, number of units available and payment history for each eligible applicant 29

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32 IVG Master File Download via FTP A copy of the IVG Master file is made available for schools to download in an electronic format via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) This file can facilitate processing required by the school for uploading data into other systems and for creating school generated reports. The data on the file will be in sync with the data available in My Zone Schools must get authorization from ISAC to access the IVG Master file download option Once that is complete, schools can download a password protected flat file via FTP by accessing the IVG FTP site at For more information, see the Electronic Tools page in the E-Library 32

33 IVG Claim Process Schools complete the claim process via My Zone Available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Deadline dates for submission of claims are: September 15 summer term January 15 first term May 25 second semester/second and third quarter July 31 all claims, including supplemental claims Claim requests can also be submitted using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) process See the Electronic Tools page in the E-Library at isac.org Contact School Services for set up information 33

34 ING Grant Benefits No minimum enrollment requirement Academic year begins with fall term Pays tuition and certain fees Fees specifically included in statute: Registration Graduation General Activity Matriculation Term Students are not responsible for out-of-district or out-of-state tuition charges 34

35 ING Grant Eligibility Must have served at least one year with the Illinois National Guard Must be in active status Available to any enlisted member or officer Must maintain an acceptable grade point average As determined by the institution 35

36 Applying for ING Grant Interactive online application is accessible at isac.org Students must reapply each year Deadlines dates: October 1 full year consideration March 1 only second semester, second and/or third quarter consideration June 15 only summer term consideration Students will receive a confirmation page upon completing the application 36

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40 ING Grant Award Notification Qualified student applicants receive a Notice of Eligibility from ISAC Ineligible applicants also receive written notification Schools receive eligibility information via My Zone Announcement rosters include eligibility dates, number of units used, restrictions, etc. Only the school listed on the student application receives the information Can be used to verify eligibility rather than requiring the student s Notice of Eligibility 40

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42 ING Grant Announcement Roster Denotes the last date that the applicant is qualified to be paid. Denotes the date from which payment can start. 42

43 ING Grant Benefits A student who withdraws after a school s refund date can receive the grant for costs incurred up to the term award. If a recipient ceases to be an active member of the Guard during a term, benefits cease and the student is responsible for costs attributed to the remainder of the term. If a recipient becomes eligible during a term, benefits will be prorated for the remainder of the term Proration calculation: total tuition cost divided by total instructional days = cost per day x days of eligibility = total proration 43

44 ING Grant Claim Process Claim process is currently completed online via My Zone Available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mon. Sat. Two profiles for school users View Only (for viewing eligibility and payment information) View and Update (to request, edit or update payment claims) Payment claim rosters are made available after the term s application deadline date has passed Claims are due 30 days from the date on the roster Schools have 45 days to submit a supplemental roster Claim amounts should match the figures reported in the school s budget packet for the corresponding year A cumulative list of payment request rosters is available for the entire fiscal year, which minimizes the need to print and retain hard copies of rosters A project is underway to move the program to GAP Access for

45 Sample Screen 45

46 Supplemental Rosters An ING Grant Supplemental Payment Roster can be created and submitted electronically to: request expenses not submitted with initial payment claim change amounts previously claimed add an eligible student who wasn t included on the initial roster request out-of-district tuition 46

47 Supplemental Rosters Access from the Payment Roster screen Once created, the Supplemental Roster will be date stamped and assigned a sequence number The Due Date will be prepopulated based on the date the roster was generated A new supplemental request may not be created if one already exists that has not been submitted. 47

48 Program News IVG Spring term claims were due May 25, 2015 ING Grant A 10 YEAR ELIGIBILITY column was added to the roster A Y will display if the applicant has completed 10 or more years of active duty ING service. The column will be blank if the applicant completed less than 10 years of active duty ING service Summer term payment rosters are available for processing 48

49 When Veterans Are Eligible for Multiple ISAC Programs Students eligible for MAP and IVG or ING must use IVG or ING benefits instead of MAP A student cannot decline IVG or ING to use MAP Students eligible for IVG and ING can choose which program they would like to use Students can use IVG and ING together The same amount of eligibility units will be charged to each program regardless of the amount of benefits paid 49

50 When Veterans Are Eligible for ISAC and VA Programs Students can decline IVG, ING and/or MAP to use federal benefits that also provide tuition and fee benefits The Post-9/11 GI Bill Program specifies that if the veteran will receive state or other financial aid benefits specifically designated for tuition and fees, those benefits must be applied first before billing the VA If a student uses a state and federal program together, the benefits of tuition and fees is not duplicated 50

51 Maximizing State and Federal Military Education Benefits Encourage IVG and ING recipients to consider the following: When taking more than 12 credit hours, students will only be charged with 12 units of usage Can take 18 credit hours, but only use 12 eligibility units Accelerates degree completion Some veteran benefits may expire or can only be used while on active status VA benefits have a delimiting date Illinois National Guard Grant can only be used while on active status with the Guard IVG benefits do not expire 51

52 Maximizing State and Federal Military Education Benefits Encourage students who are not eligible for 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill Program to apply for IVG and ING Grant Encourage student veterans to complete the FAFSA to apply for Title IV aid such as the Pell Grant FAFSA is also used to determine eligibility for Monetary Award Program Encourage student veterans to apply for other state programs, such as ISAC s teacher programs Direct students to studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships/military for additional resources Counsel students on their options in regard to receiving academic credit for military training and experience Can help increase academic success and decrease time to degree attainment 52

53 VA Waiver Request Background When Post-9/11 GI Bill first became available, it was considered first payer when used with state benefits that also paid tuition and fees In 2011, the VA rules changed and Post-9/11 GI Bill became last payer when used with programs such as IVG and ING Grant that also paid tuition and fees Veterans may choose to use just one program or combine them For those with 100% eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill, it is often the best option to use Post-9/11 instead of IVG For those with less than 100% eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill, however, it may be necessary to also use IVG or the ING Grant to help cover remaining tuition and fee charges. Because IVG or ING would have to be applied first, that subsequently reduces the value of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits that are received when used with the state benefits 53

54 VA Waiver Request Action taken ISAC drafted proposed rule changes and proration methodology IDVA submitted a request to the VA to obtain a waiver that would allow IVG and ING Grant to be considered last payer when combined with Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits that are at less than 100% eligibility IBHE and ICCB provided letters of support, as did a few postsecondary institutions and state and federal legislators Received a waiver from the VA Submitted proposed program rule changes to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for review and for public comment Public comment period ended on March 2, 2015 Subsequent proposed rules amendments were approved by the Commission on April 1, 2015 and by JCAR on May 12,

55 VA Waiver Request Next steps Rule changes go into effect July 1, 2015 for the academic year For veterans who are eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at less than 100% and use those benefits with IVG or ING Grant programs in the same term, the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits should be applied first (VA will be first payer), and any remaining eligible tuition and fee charges would be covered by IVG and/or ING Grant The amount of IVG and ING Grant benefits used will be prorated based on the percentage of the charges that are covered by the ISAC programs For IVG, the changes will be in effect for the Summer 2015 term for claims submitted after July 1, 2015 For ING Grant, the changes will be in effect beginning with the Fall 2015 term An online tool is being developed to help calculate usage 55

56 Proration Methodology In situations when the IVG or ING Grant is used with the Post- 9/11 GI Bill and IVG or ING Grant can be considered last payer : The percentage of charges to be covered by the IVG or ING Grant would be multiplied by the number of credit hours the student is taking and the result would be converted to eligibility units using the standard units chart found in the program rules 56

57 Sample Scenario Post-9/11 GI Bill, 80% Enrollment status of 12 credit hours for a semester and tuition & fees are $10,000 Currently, with IVG as first payer: Student would use 12 IVG units and 4 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits With Post-9/11 GI Bill as first payer: $10,000 x.80 = $8,000 paid by Post-9/11 GI Bill $2,000 (20%) covered by IVG.20 x 12 credit hours = 2.4% 2.4 converts to 1 unit Student would use 1 IVG unit and 4 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits 57

58 Sample Scenario Post-9/11 GI Bill, 60% Enrollment status of 12 credit hours for a semester and tuition & fees are $10,000 Currently, with IVG as first payer: Student would use 12 IVG units and 4 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits With Post-9/11 GI Bill as first payer: $10,000 x.60 = $6,000 paid by Post-9/11 GI Bill $4,000 (40%) covered by IVG.40 x 12 credit hours = 4.8% 4.8 converts to 3 units Student would use 3 IVG units and 4 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits 58

59 Sample Scenario Post-9/11 GI Bill, 40% Enrollment status of 12 credit hours for a semester and tuition & fees are $10,000 Currently, with IVG as first payer: Student would use 12 IVG units and 4 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits With Post-9/11 GI Bill as first payer: $10,000 x.40 = $4,000 paid by Post-9/11 GI Bill $6,000 (60%) covered by IVG.60 x 12 credit hours = 7.2% 7.2 converts to 6 units Student would use 6 IVG units and 4 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits 59

60 Sample Scenarios Enrollment status of 12 credit hours for a semester and tuition & fees are $10,000 Post-9/11 GI Bill, 80% and IVG Post-9/11 GI Bill, 60% and IVG Post-9/11 GI Bill, 40% and IVG Currently, with IVG as first payer: Student would use 12 IVG units and 4 months of Post- 9/11 GI Bill benefits Currently, with IVG as first payer: Student would use 12 IVG units and 4 months of Post- 9/11 GI Bill benefits Currently, with IVG as first payer: Student would use 12 IVG units and 4 months of Post- 9/11 GI Bill benefits With Post-9/11 GI Bill as first payer: $10,000 x.80 = $8,000 paid by Post-9/11 GI Bill $2,000 (20%) covered by IVG.20 x 12 credit hours = 2.4% 2.4 converts to 1 unit Student would use 1 IVG unit and 4 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits With Post-9/11 GI Bill as first payer: $10,000 x.60 = $6,000 paid by Post-9/11 GI Bill $4,000 (40%) covered by IVG.40 x 12 credit hours = 4.8% 4.8 converts to 3 units Student would use 3 IVG units and 4 months of Post- 9/11 GI Bill benefits With Post-9/11 GI Bill as first payer: $10,000 x.40 = $4,000 paid by Post-9/11 GI Bill $6,000 (60%) covered by IVG.60 x 12 credit hours = 7.2% 7.2 converts to 6 units Student would use 6 IVG units and 4 months of Post- 9/11 GI Bill benefits 60

61 Tools & Resources

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65 ISAC Contact Information Student and Parent Services Phone: School Services Phone: Training Services Phone:

66 Questions and Contact Information Dan Wellman, Administrator IDVA-State Approving Agency 833 S. Spring, Springfield, IL Kim Eck, Training Coordinator Illinois Student Assistance Commission 500 West Monroe, Springfield, IL