Annual Conference May 19 – 22, 2015 St. Augustine, FL

1. Annual Conference May 19 – 22, 2015 St. Augustine, FL

2. DECIPHERING DD214s

3. Armed Forces Member/Veteran • Requirement • Serving/served on AD (including basic training) in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. • National Guard or Reserve only considered veterans if called to active federal duty by presidential order for a purpose other than training. • Any service characterization except dishonorable. Includes fraudulent entry provided entire period of service was not voided. • Service academy/preparatory school students for at least 1 day are veterans if service characterization was not dishonorable. • The possession of a DD214 does not mean the person is a veteran.

4. DD FORM 214 • Block 2: Department, Component and Branch • Army/RA = Regular • Army/USAR = Reserve • Army/ARNGUS = National Guard • Navy – USN = Regular • Navy – USNR = Reserve • USMC – 11 = Regular • USMC – K1 = Reserve • Air Force – REGAF = Regular • Air Force – AFRC = Reserve • Air Force – ANGUS = Air National Guard • Homeland Security – USCG = Regular • Homeland Security – USCGR = Reserve

5. DD FORM 214 • Block 12.c.: Record of Service - Net Active Service This Period • Determine length of active service for DD 214 period. Note: Guard/Reserve personnel can have more than one DD 214. • If the member was AD, served 1 or more days, and did not receive a dishonorable discharge (Block 24) they are considered a veteran even if they committed a military crime or were discharged for conduct/performance (Block 28). Fraudulent entry is acceptable permitted their entire period of service was not voided. Block 18: Remarks • If the member was Guard/Reserve they must have been called to AD by presidential orders for purposes other than training. • If the member served for purposes other than training it will be identified stating where they served and the dates. • If service was anything other than dishonorable and meets the criteria list above then the member is a veteran. • Title 32 v. Title 10 is typically specific here. • If the Guard/Reserve member was on active duty for training only then they are not considered a veteran for financial aid purposes. This can be determined by looking at blocks 2, 11, 12.c, 18, 23, 24, & 28.

6. DD FORM 214 • Block 23: Type of Separation • This entry depends on the Character of Service (24). If block 24 is anything other than Honorable you will typically see “Discharge” or “Discharged”. • If member was Guard/Reserve and on AD for training you will see “Release from active duty training” or “Release from IADT” or “Released from active duty”. • AD members will have “Released from active duty”. • Block 24: Character of Service • DD 214 must have a Service Characterization of anything other than dishonorable to be considered a veteran. • Block 28: Narrative Reason for Separation • “Completion of Required Active Service” “Fraudulent Entry” “Misconduct (Serious Offense)” “Completion of Initial Active Duty Training”

15. QUESTIONS?

16. ASSESSING SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION

17. Selective Service System • Registration Requirement • Any person age 18 – 25 assigned the sex of male at birth must register. • Males residing in U.S. who are U.S. citizens or noncitizens, except those in the U.S. as lawful nonimmigrant as long as they maintain that status. • Students who are required to register must do so to be eligible for FSA funds. • Parents applying for PLUS loans are not required to have registered.

18. Exemptions • Males currently in Armed Services and on AD; not applicable to Reserve/National Guard not on AD. • Males not yet 18 when completing application. • Males born before 1960. • Noncitizens who first entered U.S. after turning 26. • Transgender males assigned sex of female at birth. • Unable to register due to hospitalization, incarceration, or institutionalization for the entire time 18 – 25. * List is not all inclusive.

19. Failure to Register • If student does not meet an exemption or did not serve on AD with appropriate service characterization, he must obtain a SSS status information letter addressing failure to register. • Students can appeal to the agency awarding funds to justify their failure to register. Appeal Considerations • Where did student live when 18 – 25. • Whether student claims he thought he was registered. • Why student claims he was not aware of requirement.

20. Status Information Letter Codes • Two character code in bottom left-hand corner of SSS status information letter. Decision should not be based solely on these codes. • RD: Student gave reason for not registering; SSS determined reason was invalid. • RH: Student was sent one or more letters requesting that he register, but all letters were returned by USPS. • RL: Student was required to register, but SSS has no record of registration, and 1 or more letters were sent requesting he register. • RR: Student said he attempted to register, but SSS has no proof of the attempt. • Schools decision is final except in one limited instance

22. Just enough evidence to make it more likely than not that the fact is proved to be true.

24. QUESTIONS?

25. SAVE THE DATE! FASFAA 2016 May 24-27 2016 Hyatt Regency, Coconut Point Resort & Spa Bonita Springs, Fl.