Other VA Benefits

1. Other VA Benefits WAVES 2013 July 30, 2013

2. TOPICS • Tuition Assistance Top-Up (TATU) • National Tests • Study Abroad • Licensing and Certification (LAC) • Tutorial Assistance

3. Tuition Assistance Top-Up (TATU) Tuition Assistance Top-up (TATU) Tuition Assistance Payment of VA education benefits is prohibited if an individual is on active duty and is enrolled in a unit course or courses which are paid for in whole or in part by the Armed Forces (or by the Department of Health and Human Services for service in the Public Health Service). • Top-up allows VA to reimburse an individual for all or a portion of the charges for a course or courses that are not reimbursed under certain military education programs. • The VA is “topping up” the benefits paid by the military so that the individual receives full (or close to full) reimbursement for his or her course or courses. • To receive Top-up, an individual must be eligible for Chapter 30 or 33 benefits and also receive some amount of Tuition Assistance from his or her military component for the course(s) he or she is pursuing • VA cannot pay Top-up if Tuition Assistance is zero.

4. Top-Up (TATU) - Ch30 Ch30 Claimants in receipt of Federal Tuition Assistance: • If claimant is not on active duty : monthly benefits are allowed. • If claimant is on active duty: s/he may only receive benefits through the Tuition Assistance Top-Up (TATU) Program. Regular monthly Ch30 benefits are barred for the courses in which assistance was received. • The SCO can certify courses in which Tuition Assistance was not used for active duty Ch30 claimants

5. Top-Up (TATU) - Ch1606 Ch1606 claimants in receipt of Federal Tuition Assistance: • If claimant is attending ½ training time or more: • Monthly Benefits are allowed • If claimant is attending less than ½ training time: • Monthly benefits are barred for the courses in which assistance was received. • No Tuition Assistance Top-Up (TATU) program exists under Ch1606.

6. Top-Up (TATU) - Ch1607 & Ch32 Ch1607 or Ch32 claimants in receipt of Federal Tuition Assistance: • If claimant is not on active duty, monthly benefits are allowed. • If claimant is on active duty, monthly benefits are barred for the courses in which assistance is received. In addition, no Tuition Assistance Top-Up (TATU) program exists under Ch1607 or Ch32.

7. Top-Up (TATU) - Ch33 Ch33 Claimants in receipt of Federal Tuition Assistance: • If claimant is not on active duty: school will submit an enrollment certification and reduce the veteran’s tuition and fees reported by amount military paid. • If claimant is on active duty: • Not in receipt of TATU: school should submit an enrollment certification and reduce the veteran’s tuition and fees reported by amount military paid. • In receipt of TATU: Student will submit TATU form. VA will process the remaining student’s cost.

8. National Tests • VA students can be reimbursed the fee charged for national admission tests and national tests for college credit. • Examples of tests approved: • SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) • LSAT (Law School Admission Test) • GRE (Graduate Record Exam) • For a complete list of approved tests see page 22 of SCO Handbook

9. National Tests • To apply for reimbursement: • Claimant must be eligible for GI Bill Benefits • VA Form 22-0810 (Application for Reimbursement of National Exam Fee) should be completed • Student may have to submit a receipt for proof of payment in certain situations such as DSST Tests • Entitlement charged for those under Post 9/11 GI bill is one month of entitlement for each $1,460 reimbursed (2011-2012 Academic Year) subject to cost of living allowance • Entitlement under other benefit programs is charged by dividing the amount paid by the full time monthly rate payable during the fiscal year • More information can be found on page 22 of SCO Handbook

10. Study Abroad Courses pursued in foreign countries must: • Be approved • Be offered at an institution of higher learning (IHL) • Be required for the student’s degree program

11. Study Abroad - Ch33 VA will pay: • Home school’s tuition and fees • Books and supplies • Monthly housing allowance based on the home school’s address • VA will only pay additional fees if Study Abroad option must be required for graduation • If study abroad is not required for graduation, SCO can only certify the number of credit hours and home school’s tuition and fees

12. Study Abroad - Ch33 VA will not pay: • Costs related to travel (airfare, lodging & meals) even if study abroad option is required • Third party charges even if study abroad option is required Schools that charge a flat rate for all charges must break down the amounts charged in order to exclude lodging, meals, etc. If school is unable to provide a breakdown, no amount should be reported to VA

13. Study Abroad – Other than Ch33 • Benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the veteran just like attendance at U.S. schools • SCO should certify all course credit hours that apply to degree to VA

14. Licensing & Certification Those eligible for VA Education benefits may receive reimbursement for licensing and certification tests VA can only pay for the cost of the test, up to $2,000.00 for each test. No other fees connected with obtaining a license or certification will be reimbursed Tests must be approved for VA benefits

15. Licensing & Certification • There is no limit to the number of tests that can be taken, or the number of times the same test is taken • VA will pay for tests even if they have been failed • To be reimbursed for these tests a VA Form 22-0803 must be completed along with proof of payment for the test • To search for approved tests visit www.gibill.va.gov

16. Tutorial Assistance • Student must be receiving education benefits under chapters 30, 33, 35, or 1606 • Not authorized for students receiving benefits under chapter 1607 • The monthly rate may not exceed the cost of tutoring or $100.00 • The maximum amount payable is $1200 per student per benefit program

17. Tutorial Assistance • No entitlement charge for the first $600.00 under Ch30 and 1606 • No entitlement charge under Ch33 or Ch35 • The student, tutor, and certifying official must complete an Application for Individualized Tutorial Assistance (VA form 22-1990t) • This form can be submitted to VA for payment at the end of each month

18. Tutorial Assistance Eligibility • Student must be in a post-secondary program ½ time or more • For Ch33, rate of pursuit must be at least 50% • Student must have a deficiency in a course that is part of his or her approved program • Student must be enrolled in the course during the quarter, semester, or term in which the tutoring is received for the course • Tutoring may not occur between quarters or semesters

19. Questions? Thanks for all you do.