Post-9/11 GI Bill CHAPTER 33 OF TITLE 38 UNITED STATES CODE. U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs ***CDE***

Transcription

1 Post-9/11 GI Bill CHAPTER 33 OF TITLE 38 UNITED STATES CODE U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs ***CDE***

2 Today s Objectives Overview of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) Eligibility Payments Transferability Overpayments and Debt Collection Post 9-11 or Montgomery GI Bill (Should I switch & when?) 2

3 Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Criteria WHO Qualifies? Individuals who served on active duty after 09/10/01 may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if the individual: Served for an aggregate period of at least 90 days. Note: Exceptions are made for individuals discharged due to a service connected disability and serving at least 30 continuous days on active duty after 9/10/01. 3

4 Eligibility Criteria Service Requirements (after 9/10/01 an individual must serve an aggregate of) Payment Tiers Percentage At least 36 months 100 At least 30 continuous days on active duty (Must be discharged due to service-connected disability) 100 At least 30 months, but less than 36 months 90 At least 24 months, but less than 30 months 80 *At least 18 months, but less than 24 months 70 *At least 12 months, but less than 18 months 60 *At least 06 months, but less than 12 months 50 *At least 90 days, but less than 06 months 40 *Excludes time served in Basic Military Training and/or Skill Training 4

5 Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Period In general, individuals will remain eligible for benefits for 15 years from: Date of last discharge; or Release from active duty of at least 90 continuous days. (Reservist) For Children benefit transferred to: between ages 18 & 26. 5

6 Post-9/11 GI Bill Entitlement Individuals will generally receive 36 months of benefits. Individuals are limited to 48 months of combined benefits under all educational assistance programs administered by VA. If 36 months of GI Bill already used MAY qualify for up to 12 months of Post 9-11* * NOTE: Applies to 0 months remaining. Individuals transferring to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from the Montgomery GI Bill (chapter 30) will be limited to the amount of remaining chapter 30 entitlement. 6

7 Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Payments Tuition and Fees Monthly Housing Allowance Books and Supplies Stipend Kickers/College Fund/ Buy-up Rural Relocation (Census data required, mainly Alaska, up to $500 one-time relocation fee) 7

8 Total Benefit The Pentagon estimates for most people who use 36 months, the benefit will pay out between $75,000 and $90,000. It can vary even wider depending on location & university. These benefits include: tuition and fees, monthly housing stipend and a stipend for books and supplies. 8

9 Tuition and Fees Pays all Public School in-state tuition and fees. Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually. The Yellow Ribbon Program may help with Veterans out of state fees and other costs above the cap. Yellow Ribbon Program not available for active duty or their transferees. 9

10 Tuition and Fees Now includes: MGIB approved Vo-tech specific schools, such as motor-cycle repair schools and welding certificates. VA should be consulted for questions about specific institutions/programs. 10

11 Tuition and Fees Charged Individuals on active duty are eligible for the applicable percentage % (based on aggregate active duty service) of the lesser of Tuition and fees charged or maximum allowable Tuition and fees payments are paid directly to the school unlike MGIB-Top-up which reimburses the student. The amount of tuition and fees charged that exceeds the amount paid by the military s tuition assistance (TA) program, in the case of Top-up. Note: Tuition and Fees payments are paid directly to the school so the student should NOT pay school in advance when using it. 11

12 Tuition and Fees Charged Continued using Post 9/11 GI Bill as top-up with military tuition assistance (TA): Post 9/11 GI Bill will use the number of months from the GI Bill total (36) based on the number of months of the course. E.g. 3 month course uses 3 months of benefits regardless of amount paid. MGIB uses a portion of the monthly allowance until each month is used up. (Often it takes a couple semesters to use 1 month.) 12

13 Tuition and Fees Example of State rates (SC) from VA Website: $295 Maximum Tuition per Semester Hour $43, Maximum Fees per Semester If attending Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in FL, above is the most the VA will pay the school. If your IHL costs more, you (the student) pay the difference. 13

14 Tuition Charged For Approved Private & For-Profit Schools, VA pays actual tuition charged until the Private/For Profit School Annual Cap of $17,500 is used. EXAMPLE: Joe s current classes at his private school last 3 months and cost $3,000 for tuition and fees, and he is at the 100% level. Subtract from annual: $17,500 - $3,000 = $14,500. VA pays school directly and Joe has $14,500 remaining on his annual cap and has used 3 months benefits. 14

15 Fees Defined FEES Any mandatory charges (except tuition, room, and board) including, but not limited to: Health premiums Freshman fees Graduation fees Lab fees Does not include charges for study abroad courses unless course is mandatory. 15

16 Monthly Housing Allowance Equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents Amount determined by zip code of the IHL where the student is enrolled (Ft Lauderdale = $1,803.00) Prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit payable (40 100%) Prorated based on rate of pursuit, rounded to nearest 10 th : rate of pursuit of 75% = 80% of BAH rate. Active duty members and their spouses are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance., Distance Learning Housing Stipend is $ (in 2011). Note: Benefit payments are paid directly to the eligible person on a monthly basis 16

17 Monthly Housing Allowance Frankfort s zip code - $858 per month Montgomery s zip code - $1074 per month Beaufort s zip - $1131 per month Atlanta s zip code - $1101 per month Pittsburgh s zip code - $1578 per month Ft Lauderdale s zip code - $1803 per month New Jersey s zip code - $2151 per month San Francisco s zip code - $2430 per month These are 2011 amounts and are subject to change up or down. 17

18 Books and Supplies Stipend IHL Up to a $1,000 per year (100% or prorate) $41.67 per credit hour 15 SemHrs X $41.67 = $ Up to 24 credit hours in a single academic year Lump sum payment (each quarter, semester or term attended) Prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit payable Active duty members are eligible Note: Benefit payments are paid directly to the student 18

19 Books and Supplies Stipend Example: If Susan enrolls in 15 credit hours for the Fall Term, she will receive a lump sum payment of $ ($41.67 x 15 credit hours = $625.05) During the Spring term she enrolls in an additional 12 hours. Susan is only eligible to receive the books and supplies stipend for 9 of the 12 credit hours, she can not exceed the maximum of 24 credit hours in a single academic year. Her payment for the Spring term will be $ ($41.27 x 9 = $375.03) Her total received for the year is $

20 Books and Supplies Stipend Non-IHL Up to a $1,000 per year (100% or prorate) Up to $83 per month Max X Rate of Pursuit $83 X ½ time = $41.50 per month Prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit payable Active duty members are eligible Note: Benefit payments are paid directly to the student 20

21 Kickers/College Fund/ Buy-Up Kicker = College Fund MGIB (ch30) and/or MGIB-SR (ch1606) kickers Paid on monthly basis to student for enrollment period based on rate of pursuit Paid to spouse/child if using transferred benefits $600 buy-up does NOT transfer to chapter 33 21

22 Approved Programs All programs approved under chapter 30 and offered by an IHL. Non-college degree non-degree granting schools: actual net costs for in-state tuition up to $17,500 annually. OJT: Monthly prorated amount (100% BAH up to 6 months, drops to 80 next 6, etc) Correspondence: per Academic Yr, up to $8,500 22

23 Approved Programs Flight Programs. At public IHL, full costs for in-state tuition and fees, per academic year. Public & Private IHL, not vocational At Private IHL, costs up to $17,500 annually. At vocational, costs up to $10,000 annually. Yellow Ribbon MAY apply 23

24 Approved Programs Flight Programs Limits & Requirements Commercial Flight Training Programs only. Rotary wing qual, B qual, Dual qual & flight engineer Must already have Private Pilot s license Valid Medical certification Payments issued After training is completed After school submits info to VA 24

25 Post-9/11 GI Bill Elections An individual who has met the requirements to establish eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) and, as of August 1, 2009 is: Eligible for either chapter 30, 1606, or 1607, (must make an irrevocable election to use benefits under chapter 33); or A member/veteran of the Armed Forces Includes those who previously declined to elect chapter 30 (did not pay the $1200). 25

26 Transfer of Entitlement (Department of Defense Benefit) RETENSION INCENTIVE On or after August 1, 2009, DoD may allow an individual to elect to transfer entitlement to one or more dependents if he/she Has served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces; and Agrees to serve at least another 4 years in the Armed Forces. Spouses may use transferred benefits after 6 years of service; dependent children after 10 years. (Repay if service not completed.) 26

27 Transfer of Entitlement (Department of Defense Benefit) DoD determines eligibility for transferability and may, by regulation, impose additional eligibility requirements and limit the number of months transferable. Newspaper articles, non-usmc websites, etc may not be accurate. Don t believe everything you read. 27

28 Transfer of Entitlement (Department of Defense Benefit) Application process through the Transferability of Educational Benefits (TEB) Website. Secure access with Common Access Card, a Defense Department Self Service User ID or a DFAS (MyPay) PIN number 1. YOU Complete TEB Website; 2. YOU go to career planner, obligate necessary service & complete SOU; 3. CP sends SOU to MMSB; 4. MMSB enters; 5. You see Approved or Rejected on website 28

29 Transfer of Entitlement Service Obligation/Exceptions Standard is four years from date of application For those already with an approved retirement date after Aug. 1, 2009 and before July 1, 2010, no additional service is required. For those eligible for retirement after Aug. 1, 2009 and before August 1, 2010, one year of additional service is required. 29

30 Transfer of Entitlement Service Obligation Exceptions to 4 years (Continued) For those eligible for retirement after Aug. 1, 2010 and before August 1, 2011, two year of additional service is required. For those eligible for retirement after Aug. 1, 2011 and before August 1, 2012, three year of additional service is required. For those eligible for retirement after August 1, 2012, the standard four years of additional service applies. 30

31 Transfer of Entitlement If approved, an individual may transfer benefit to a spouse, a child, or any combination of spouse and children in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS). An eligible service member may transfer up to the total months of unused post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, up to the total 36 months of benefits. The individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer (of any unused portion) at any time. 31

32 Transfer of Entitlement Since approved servicemember may transfer benefits to any combination of spouse and children (in DEERS) and retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer (of any unused portion) at any time, I recommend placing at least one month on every person in your DEERS profile at time of transfer. 32

33 Transfer of Entitlement SPOUSE If approved, a spouse may begin to use the benefit right away and can use it up to 15 years of the service member s EAS. The individual could have to repay any used benefit if the obligated service is not completed. A spouse may not receive the housing stipend while the service member is still on active duty. A spouse may receive the books & supplies stipends while the service member is on AD. 33

34 Transfer of Entitlement CHILD If approved, a child may use the benefit between the ages of 18 and 26. On the date the child begins to use the benefit, he/she must be eligible in DEERS. Once the benefit use is started, a subsequent marriage does not affect eligibility. A child may receive both the housing and books & supplies stipends while the service member is still on active duty. 34

35 Transfer of Entitlement CHILD Children may start using the benefit only after the service member has completed at least 10 years of active service. Children may not start using the benefit until they have received a secondary school diploma or equivalency certificate or is 18 years old. Children may not use the benefit after age 26. The individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer (of any unused portion) at any time. 35

36 Overpayment of Benefits In the event a student does not complete a course, the tuition & fees paid by VA for that course are considered an overpayment. The student has to repay any overpayment. The VA may consider mitigating circumstances. Bottom Line: Tuition and Fees payments are paid to the school on behalf of the student; overpayments for Tuition and Fees will be charged to the student and collected by the VA Debt Management Center. 36

37 Yellow Ribbon Student Scenario 1 Sergeant Smith attending XYZ University and awarded a yellow ribbon slot that semester. (*An approved volunteer Yellow Ribbon School within maximum number of slots) Tuition at XYZ = $20,000 Highest In-state undergraduate fees = $15,000 Difference (paid by Sgt Smith) = $5,000 Yellow Ribbon Program 50% If XYZ pays $2,500 VA matches XYZ s percentage = $2,500 Difference (paid by Sgt Smith) - $

38 Yellow Ribbon Student Scenario 2 Sergeant Smith attending XYZ University and awarded the yellow ribbon that semester (An approved Yellow Ribbon School) Tuition Cost $20,000 Highest In-state undergraduate $15,000 Difference = $5,000 Yellow Ribbon 25% XYZ pays = $1,250 VA matches XYZ s percentage = $1,250 Difference (paid by Sgt Smith) = $2,500 38

39 Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD/Chapter 30) 2010 OJT Rates effective October 1, 2010 Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training Training Period Monthly rate First 6 months of training $1, Second 6 months of training $ Remaining pursuit of training $ Correspondence and Flight Entitlement charged at the rate of one month for each 1, paid. 39

40 Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD/Chapter 30) 2010 These rates apply to those who completed an enlistment of 3+ years. Institutional Training* Training Time Monthly rate Full time $1, ¾ time $1, ½ time $ Less than ½ time more than ¼ time $736.50** ¼ time or less $368.25** *Includes on-line and all DOE approved schools, not just Institutions of Higher Learning. **Tuition and Fees ONLY. Payment cannot exceed the listed amount. 40

41 Think Before You Act What Questions should be asked before switching? 1. Which benefits pay more? (In most active duty cases, the Montgomery GI Bill pays more.) 2. What tier of benefits am I eligible for under new bill (See percentage chart are you at 100%? 50%?) 3. What type of training do I want to pursue? (The type of training effects the rates the two GI Bills pay.) 4. How long do I expect to take to use the benefit? (Post 9/11 GI Bill is 15 years vice 10 for MGIB) 41

42 Think Before You Act What Questions should be asked before switching? (Continued) 5. Do I plan to attend school halftime or less or strictly on-line? (Post 9/11 does not pay housing stipend less than ½ time and only $ X eligibility rate.) 6. How many months do I have left on my current GI Bill? (May get 12 more months of benefit if used all 36 months of MGIB before applying for Post 9/11.) 7. I can switch to Post 9/11 any time I am ready but then cannot switch back to MGIB. Is there a reason to switch now? 42

43 References GI Bill Website ( Sign up for FAQ updates! See case examples GI Bill Hotline: GIBILL-1 (Mon-Wed) Yellow Ribbon mailbox 43

44 44

45 Points of Contact For more information or individual questions: VA (GI Bill) MCAS Education (843) MCRD Education (843)