Veterans Education Programs Update

Transcription

1 Veterans Education Programs Update David K. Hendrickson, Chair Paul L. Hill, Chancellor

2 Skip Gebhart Director, Veterans Education Programs Ron Marcinko Education Liaison Representative US Department of Veterans Affairs 2

3 Topics Roles/Functions of State vs. VA Approval Monitoring Assistance Roles/Functions of Schools School Debt Treasury Offset Program Legislation Your Questions? 3

4 A Disclaimer: We Can t Cover Everything in an Hour! Certifying Officials Workshops Are Underway Three more scheduled: May in Charles Town (APUS) May in Beckley (U of Charleston-Beckley) June in Parkersburg area We will cover: VA Education Benefit Programs Certifying Enrollments/VA ONCE Dealing with VA on Debts, Etc Contact Skip to register 4

5 Functions of the State (HEPC) Review and Approve: All New Facilities and Programs Non-College Degree programs Private For-Profit Institutions Programs On-Job Training Only College Degrees at Accredited, Non-Profit schools are Deemed Approved Conduct VA compliance surveys Provide consultation, technical assistance, and training Advocate for schools and veterans/military members

6 Functions of VA (Education Liaison Rep) Process education and training program approvals Conduct Compliance surveys Process License and Certification approvals Maintain approval data base Serve as VA ONCE administrator Providing training to school officials Conduct Equal Opportunity Investigations Act as Contract Representative for SAA

7 What s Missing? Neither the SAA nor the ELR pay benefits!! Claims Examiners at four Regional Processing Centers pay the benefits (ours is St. Louis) Veterans claims go to St. Louis Certifications go to St. Louis St. Louis determines eligibility and authorizes payments Remember: VA does NOT pay Tuition Assistance, nor does the SAA have any jurisdiction over it! 7

8 Functions of the School (Certifying Official) Understand VA reporting requirements Communicate with VA students about benefit programs, application process, and institutional and VA requirements in order to be certified Certify VA student enrollment accurately and timely Develop internal monitoring systems Monitor and report changes to VA within 30 days Communicate as needed with VA and SAA Report concerns to institutional management

9 New Federal Laws VA now required to provide information about schools on the GI Bill website: Accreditation status Financial Aid available VA must provide an online tool that allows veterans to determine whether they are academically ready to engage in postsecondary education and training opportunities... VA must develop a complaint tracking system with SAAs VA cannot pay benefits where school recruiters are paid on commission basis VA required to train school certifying officials 9

10 In Congress Now... Schools would not be approvable unless they offer instate tuition and fee rates to all veteran students, regardless of their state of residence VRAP Extension through June 30, 2014 Bills are pending and in Committee. Watch this space! 10

11 State Legislation Passed in 2013 Session Public IHLs will be required to appoint veterans advocates Public IHLs should have all veterans services in one central location (one-stop shop) if practical Public IHLs encouraged to give veterans priority registration privileges HEPC must create uniform statewide public IHL policy for dealing with students called to active duty in mid-term 11

12 Other Potential Policy Changes Uniform statewide policy on granting of academic credit for military training and experience Additional reporting requirements for schools to inform HEPC of graduation and retention rates, student loan debt information, etc. 12

13 Annual Reporting Fee Problem VA overpaid many schools in the 2011 round of Annual Reporting Fee payments because of a calculation error They are now recovering the overpayments from your 2012 reporting fees You should have received a letter from VA if you are affected Contact Ron Marcinko if you have questions 13

14 School Debts - Reasons Student never attends classes Student completely withdraws on/before first day of term School receives payment for the wrong student School receives duplicate payment School submits an amended certification that reduces tuition/fee and/or Yellow Ribbon amount Student dies before or during the term. VA incorrectly processes the claim and pays too much to school 14

15 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU GET A BILL 15

16 Option 1 Agree To Pay The Debt File the informational letter received from the RPO. Wait for the Notice of Indebtedness from DMC. Upon receiving the Notice of Indebtedness from DMC, send payment along with the Notice of Indebtedness tear-off payment stub to DMC. 16

17 Option 2 Dispute the Debt (Incorrect Total) File the informational letter received from the RPO. Use Right Now Web or School Official number ( ) to ask how VA calculated the amount of debt If you agree with the VA s response, pay the debt If you DON T agree: Ask VA to audit the student s account to ensure that the amount is correct Ask VA to place the debt on hold with DMC until audit can be completed and verified as accurate 17

18 Treasury Offset Program IF you owe VA money (a validated legitimate school debt ) and have not arranged to pay it back, the offset program may kick in After DMC has issued 3 Notices of Indebtedness, your debt is transferred to the Treasury Offset Program. Treasury will withhold future federal money to repay the delinquent debt You should contact VA s Debt Management Center to question or dispute a debt or to make payment arrangements...right AWAY! 18

19 QUESTIONS? 19