A Guide to Veterans’ Education Benefits: State of Wisconsin & US Department of Veterans Affairs

1. A Guide to Veterans’ Education Benefits:State of Wisconsin& US Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Veterans Affairs August, 2014

2. Federal Education Benefits – Montgomery GI Bill – Post 9/11 GI Bill 2

3. Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) • Chapter 30: Active Duty (MGIB-AD) • Chapter 1606: Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) • Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) • Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment • Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) 3

4. MGIB – Overview • Pays a monthly benefit based on eligibility, rate of training and type of training. • Monthly benefit for university/college training, as of 10/1/13 – (enrolled as full-time student) • Chapter 30: $1,648 (3 or more year obligation) • Chapter 35: $1,003 • Chapter 1606: $362 • Chapter 1607: • 90 days but less than one year: 40% of Ch 30 - $659.20 • one year, less than two years: 60% of Ch 30 - $988.80 • two or more years : 80% of Chapter 30 - $1,318.40 • Buy Up and College Funds/Kickers/Enlistment Incentives are added to base amount 4

5. GI Bill – On-the-Job Training What is it? On-the-Job training (OJT) is training you receive while actually performing a job and earning wages. The program must be at least six months in length. MGIB benefits can be paid while participating in an OJT. Examples of OJT programs: State or Municipal employee training Police or Fire training Corrections training To receive benefits, the program must be approved by the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) 5

6. GI Bill – Apprenticeship Training What is it? OJT coupled with related technical instruction, e.g., Technical College. The program must be at least 2,000 hours (two years) in length. Examples of Apprenticeship Training - Carpenter - Electrician - Plumber To receive benefits, the program must be approved by the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) 6

7. On the job and apprenticeship training: • 1st six months of training 100% of your applicable Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) • 2nd six months of training 80% of your applicable (MHA) • 3rd six months of training 60% of your applicable (MHA) • 4th six months of training 60% of your applicable (MHA) • Remaining pursuit of training 60% of your app. (MHA) • You may be also eligible to receive a books and supplies stipend sent to you.

8. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL • EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2014: • Vocational Flight Schools: Net costs not to exceed $11,562.86 per academic year. • Correspondence training: The actual net cost for not to exceed $9,828.43 per year.

9. Post-9/11 GI Bill Core Benefits • Tuition and Fees Charged by Your School • Housing Allowance • Stipend for Books and Supplies NOTE: Benefits are paid at anentitlement percentage based on Active Duty (AD) served since 9/10/2001. 9

10. Post-9/11 GI BillEligibility An individual who served on Active Duty after 09/10/01 is eligible if he or she: • Served for an aggregate period of at least 90 days for purposes other than training • Served at least 30 continuous days and was discharged with a service connected disability (SCD) 10

11. Service Requirements (after 9/10/01 serve an aggregate of) % of Maximum Benefit Payable 36 months (1) 100 100 30 continuous days (Must be discharged with SCD) 30 months, but less than 36 months (1) 90 24 months, but less than 30 months (1) 80 (3) 18 months, but less than 24 months (2) 70 (3) 12 months, but less than 18 months (2) 60 6 months, but less than 12 months(2) 50 90 days, but less than 6 months (2) 40 Post-9/11 GI BillEligibility & Entitlement (1) Includes entry level and skill training. (2) Excludes entry level and skill training. (3) If the service requirements are met at both the 80 and 70% levels, the maximum percentage of 70 must be applied to amounts payable. 11

12. Post-9/11 GI BillEligibility Period In general, individuals will remain eligible for benefits for 15 years from: • Date of last discharge (Under conditions other than “Dishonorable”) or • Release from Active Duty of at least 90 continuous days • Only time served Under “Honorable Conditions” count towards benefits. 12

13. Post-9/11 GI BillEntitlement • Eligibility for any one chapter of the GI Bill is limited to 36 months. • Eligibility for multiple chapters of the GI Bill is limited to a total of 48 months. • If you transfer to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from another chapter, e.g., MGIB (Chapter 30), you will be limited to the amount of remaining Chapter 30 entitlement. • If you first exhaust all Chapter 30 benefits, then you may be eligible for an additional 12 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. 13

14. Post-9/11 GI BillI. Tuition and Fees The amount of tuition and fees (T&F) paid by VA to the school on a veteran’s behalf is determined by the veteran’s entitlement percentage, which is based on aggregate AD service (see slide #9). It is the lesser of: • Actual T&F charged • Maximum T&F reimbursement per academic year: $19,198.31 (as of 8/1/2013) • Maximum T&F reimbursement per academic year: $20,235.02 (as of 8/1/2014) 14

15. Post-9/11 GI BillFees Defined Mandatory charges (other than tuition, room and board) that are • universally applied by the school for pursuit of an approved program. • defined in the school’s catalog and listed on school’s billing statement. • Charged to all students in a “similar situation.” 15

16. Post-9/11 GI BillII. Monthly Housing Allowance • Monthly Allowance for Housing is based on Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents: • Based on zip code of the student’s training institution • Prorated based on percentage of maximum benefit payable • Veterans only enrolled as a distance education student • BHA is payable to students (other than those on active duty) enrolled solely in distance learning. The current rate for housing allowance (August 2014) is $754.50 Monthly Housing Allowance is not paid in the following situations: • Military personnel serving on AD • Veterans enrolled for half time or less [fulltime ~ 12 credits] 16

17. Post-9/11 GI BillIII. Books & Supplies Stipend • Up to $1,000 per academic year • Paid at the rate of 24 credits per year: $1,000/24 credits = $41.67/credit • AD personnel are not eligible for stipend 17

18. Post-9/11 GI BillKickers/College Funds and Buy Up • Buy-Up Benefits – are not payableunder the Post-9/11 GI Bill • Enlistment or Reenlistment Kickers and College Funds – are payableunder the Post-9/11 GI Bill 18

19. Post-9/11 GI BillTransfer of Entitlement (TEB) DOD will allow an individual to transfer entitlement to one or more dependents, if the veteran: • Has served at least six years in the Armed Forces (Regular or Reserves) and agrees to serve at least four more years • Has at least ten years in the Armed Forces, is precluded from serving four more years, but agrees to serve the maximum amount of time allowable • Became retirement-eligible before 8/1/2013 (rules apply) • Spouses may use transferred benefits after six years of service or dependent children after ten years 19

20. Post-9/11 GI BillTransfer of Entitlement (TEB) • It is suggested that eligible veterans sign up their spouse and all dependents for at least 1 month of benefits while they have access to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (D.E.E.R.S.) before loosing access to this DEERS establishing eligibility or generating a TEB for all. This will allow the veteran flexibility to change allocated months of entitlement. If veteran failed to establish eligibility for Post-9/11and no longer has access to DEERS they will not be able to get a TEB for a dependent not previously enrolled. 20

21. Post-9/11 GI BillTransfer of Entitlement (TEB) Approved individuals may transfer benefits to spouses, children or any combination of both. The total unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, up to 36 months, may be transferred. Veteran may revoke or modify the transfer at any time. DoD determines eligibility for transferability and may impose additional eligibility requirements and limit the number of transferable months. Other rules apply. 21

22. Post-9/11 GI BillDelimiting Dates for TEB • Delimiting Date for Spouses • 15 Year delimiting date for veteran • Or earlierdate set by veteran • Delimiting Date for Dependent Children • 26th birthday of dependent child • Or earlierdate set by veteran • Veteran and Dependents areboth responsible for overpaid benefits 22

23. Post-9/11 GI BillHow to Apply for TEB • Go to the DoD TEB website to determine if dependents are eligible. Note: This website is only available to military members. • Upon approval, family members may apply to use transferred benefits by completing VA Form 22-1990e.  Note: VA Form 22-1990e should only be completed and submitted to VA after DoD has approved the request for TEB.  Do not use VA Form 22-1990e to apply for TEB! 23

24. Post-9/11 GI BillYellow Ribbon Program • Universities and Colleges may voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to pay charged T&F not covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) • VA will match each additional dollar provided by the school • The combined amounts may not exceed the full cost of the school’s T&F charged Note: Eligibility limited to individuals entitled at the 100% benefit rate (based on length of AD service, see slide # 9) 24

25. Post-9/11 GI Bill Recommendations Regarding Potential Overpayments ALWAYS STICK TO YOUR PLAN! Do not drop any classes once the VA has paid the school for your tuition and fees. If you drop a class and receive a refund from the school, DO NOT SPEND the refund; VA will seek repayment. 25

26. Wisconsin Tuition Fee Remission Program, aka, Wisconsin GI Bill Basic Eligibility. A veteran must have been: A Wisconsin resident when entering active duty (AD) On AD for 90 days during wartime or two years during peacetime in US Armed Forces, entitled to receive an expeditionary medal, or released due to a service connected disability, reduction in forces or hardship with an honorable discharge, OR Reservists/ National Guard must be called up under USC Title 10. (Basic training and Advanced Individual Training is under Title 10) The Wisconsin GI Bill remits or waives eligible T&F up to 128 credits at Wisconsin’s UW system Schools or 16 Wisconsin Technical Colleges for Qualifying WI veterans. 26

27. Cautionary Note • Those eligible for both the Post-9/11 and Wisconsin GI Bills will be required to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill prior to using a combo of the Wisc GI Bill with federal benefits. • A veteran with less than 12 months of entitlement of Chapters 30, 1606 or 1607, may use the Wisconsin GI Bill until federal benefits are exhausted. • A transfer to the Post-9/11GI Bill, is irrevocable. • Check http://gibill.wisconsin.edu/ for state policy. • Stay in contact with your School Certifying Official (SCO). 27

28. Wisconsin GI Bill • The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) certifies the veteran’s status to the UW or Wisconsin Technical College. • The university or college administers the program – the school approves the student, be it veteran. eligible spouse or child for the waiver of T&F. • Application Packet - WDVA Brochure B0105: http://dva.state.wi.us/WebForms/WDVA_B0105_Wisconsin_Tuition_Programs_(WI_GI_Bill)_Color.pdf 28

29. Wisconsin Veterans’ Education (VetEd) Reimbursement Grant • Benefit: - 120 Credits or Eight Semesters, whichever is longer, until the veteran is awarded a bachelors degree. - Reimburses 100% of eligible T&Fat UW Madison rate for the same number of credits • An eligible school offers academic credit and is approved by either the State Approving Agency (SAA, WDVA) or the Wisconsin Education Approval Board (EAB) • Income Cap: $50,000 of joint income, plus $1,000 for each dependent over two dependents 29

30. VetEd Reimbursement Grant - Additional Facts - • Application due 60 days after semester start date • Minimum grades: 2.0 GPA for the course or semester • Delimiting date: - Veterans out over ten years from AD can only be reimbursed for up to 11 credits. - 60 unused credits can be used to earn a bachelor degree • Cannot useVetEd and Wisconsin GI Bill at same time • Can use Wisconsin GI Bill or VetEd along with MGIB • Contact: Leslie Busby-Amegashie at: 608 266-3575 30

31. Three GI Bills: Summary 31

32. CHANGES TO POST-9/11 GI BILLTitle 32 qualifying service was defined by Public Law 111-377 dated 4 JAN 2012 • Expands the Post 9/11 GI Bill to include Active Service performed by the National Guard members

33. Title 32 qualifying service was defined by Public Law 111-377 dated 4 JAN 2012 • There are only two types of Title 32 qualifying service for the Post 9/11 GI Bill:

34. 1st Type of Qualifying Service Title 32 AGR service with an Honorable discharge (This includes ALL Title 32 AGR service including WMD, CST, and State Counterdrug Coordinators in an AGR status),

35. 2nd Type of Qualifying Service • “Operation Noble Eagle” from 11 SEP 2001 – 31 MAY 2002 with an Honorable discharge. (Your orders/DD214 must show Title 32 502(f) ADOS or ADSW.) • NO other Title 32 ADOS or ADSW duty qualifies.

36. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL Continued Effective March 5th 2011 • Limits active duty members to net cost for tuition and fees prorated based on the eligibility tiers (40%-100%) previously established for Veterans. • The same limitations apply to transferee spouses of active duty service members. • YOU DON’T GET BHA TWICE!!!!!

37. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL ContinuedEffective August 1, 2011 • Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees • Private and Foreign school costs are capped at $18,077.50 annually • Yellow Ribbon Program still exists for “out-of-state-fees” and costs above the cap. • Allows VA to pay MGIB (CH.30),MGIB-SR (CH>1606) “Kickers”, or college fund payments, on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum at the beginning of the term.

38. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL ContinuedEffective August 1, 2011 • Prorates BAH at rate rounded up to the nearest 10% i.e.: 75% time student would receive 80%. • “IMPORTANT CHANGE” - BREAK OR INTERVAL PAY IS NO LONGER PAYABLE UNDER ANY VA EDUCATION PROGRAM

39. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL ContinuedEffective August 1, 2011 • Allows reimbursement for more than one “license or certification” test (previously only one test was allowed) • HOWEVER Entitlement is now changed • Allows reimbursement of fees paid to take national exams used for admission to an institution of Higher learning (e.g., SAT,ACT, GMAT, LSAT)

40. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL ContinuedEffective August 1, 2011 • Allows those eligible for both Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (CH. 31) and Post 9/11 (CH. 33) benefits to choose the Post 9/11 GI Bill’s monthly BHA instead of the CH. 31 subsistence allowance.

41. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL ContinuedEffective October 1, 2011 • Non-college degree (NCD) programs: offered at non-degree granting schools: Pays the actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees or $18,077.50, whichever is less. You may also be eligible to receive: • A monthly housing allowance • A books and supplies stipend • A one-time rural benefit for certain veterans

42. On the job and apprenticeship training: • 1st six months of training 100% of your applicable Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) • 2nd six months of training 80% of your applicable (MHA) • 3rd six months of training 60% of your applicable (MHA) • 4th six months of training 60% of your applicable (MHA) • Remaining pursuit of training 60% of your app. (MHA) • You may be also eligible to receive a books and supplies stipend sent to you.

43. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL • EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2014: • Vocational Flight Schools: Net costs not to exceed $11,562.86 per academic year. • Correspondence training: The actual net cost for not to exceed $9,828.43 per year.

44. CHANGES TO POST 9/11 GI BILL ContinuedEffective October 1, 2011 • BHA is now payable to students (other than those on active duty) enrolled solely in distance learning. The housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents. The full-time rate for a 100%er would be $673.50 for 2011. • Allows students on active duty to receive a book/supply stipend.

45. Points of Contact Information US Department of Veterans Affairs • Website for Federal GI Bills: www.benefits.va.gov : Education Hotline: 888 442-4551 (Best Kept Secret: The call center is located in Oklahoma {our time zone} call right at 7:00AM and beat the Mountain and Pacific time zone veterans! UW and Wisconsin Technical College Systems regarding the Wisconsin GI Bill visit UW PORTAL: http://veterans.wisconsin.edu/ Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) • Website for WDVA benefits http://dva.state.wi.us • Veterans Benefits Resource Center (aka, VBRC or : 608 266-1311 or 1 800 Wis-Vets =1 800 947-8387 45

46. Chapter 32 ONLY contacts • Email GI Bill Support Team at gibill.ch33@ng.army.mil with header : “Solely Title 32 Transferability” • OR • Call GI Bill Support Team at 1-888-628-5999 and ask to speak to a GI Bill Counselor; indicate “Solely Title 32 status”. • After initial request is approved you will be able to go into the Transfer Eligibility Benefits (TEB) web site and modify or revoke months of entitlement as needed.

47. Thank you for what you do for veterans! They appreciate it!