WAVES Conference Las Vegas, Nevada July 26, 2010

2. 2 ELR / ECSS Presenters Suzie Swafford- ELR, Phoenix, AZ Michelle Nelson- ELR, Waco, TX Zak Johnson- ECSS, Portland, OR

3. 3 Topics Covered Education Basics VA Overview Education Services Education Programs/Benefits Chapters 30, 32, 35, 1606, 1607 Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill Responsibilities Students School Certifying Officials VA

4. 4 VA Organizational Flow Chart

5. 5 VA Benefits Overview Education Compensation and Pension Health Care Home Loans Life Insurance Memorial and Burial Survivors Benefits Vocational Rehabilitation

6. 6 Regional Processing Offices

7. 7 VA Education Benefits CH. 30 � Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty CH. 31 � Vocational Rehabilitation CH. 32 � Veterans Educational Assistance Program CH. 35 � Dependent Educational Assistance CH. 1606 � Montgomery GI Bill Selective Reserves CH. 1607 � Reserve Educational Assistance Program CH. 33 � Post-9/11 GI Bill

8. 8 How Can I Use My Benefits Degrees Non College Degrees or Diploma Flight Training Apprenticeships and OJT Correspondence Courses License or Certification Tests National Exams- GRE, SAT, LSAT, CLEP, etc. Note: All programs must be approved by the State Approving Agency

9. 9 Application Procedures Individuals are encouraged to apply online for Education Benefits (http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp) The veteran can also call their RPO and request an application. Veterans who previously applied for benefits may use VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (CH. 30, 33, 1606, 1607). Previously eligible dependents may use VA Form 22-5495 (CH.35) TOE transferees should use VA Form 22-1990E

10. 10 Application Procedures Individuals should fully complete the application, and provide election information if applicable Elections must include: The effective date of the election, which must be on or after August 1, 2009; The benefit the individual is relinquishing to receive ch33 benefits; and Acknowledgement that the election is irrevocable. NOTE: VA will relinquish the benefit that pays the least amount and notify the individual of the relinquishment

11. 11 Application Flow Chart

12. 12 Eligibility Requirements

13. 13 CH.30 � Montgomery GI Bill AD First entered active duty on or after 7/1/85. Had $1,200 deducted from the first 12 months of military pay for participation in MGIB. Have met their basic service requirement. Have a high school diploma, GED, or complete 12 hours toward a college degree before applying for benefits. Note: Visit www.gibill.va.gov for specific requirements

14. 14 CH.31 � Vocational Rehabilitation Have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable. Have a service-connected disability rating of at least �10%, or a memorandum rating of �20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess services. Note: Visit www.gibill.va.gov for specific requirements

15. 15 CH.32 � VEAP Entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985; Opened a contribution account before April 1, 1987; Voluntarily contributed from $25 to $2700; Completed your first period of service; and Were discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable. If you are currently on active duty and wish to receive VEAP benefits, you must have at least 3 months of contributions available. Note: Visit www.gibill.va.gov for specific requirements

16. 16 CH.35 � DEA You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of: A veteran who died or is 100% disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces. A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence. A servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force. A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power. A servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. Note: Visit www.gibill.va.gov for specific requirements

17. 17 CH. 1606 Montgomery GI Bill SR Have a 6-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve. Complete their Initial Active Duty for Training. Serve in a drilling Selected Reserve unit and remain in good standing. Obtained a HS diploma or equivalency certificate. Completing 12 credits towards a college degree before applying meets this requirement. Note: Visit www.gibill.va.gov for specific requirements

18. 18 CH.1607 REAP DOD and DHS determine eligibility, not VA No payment is required to participate in this program Must have been activated by Federal authority for a contingency operation as determined by the President or Congress. Must have served 90 continuous days or more on or after September 11, 2001. Note: Visit www.gibill.va.gov for specific requirements

19. 19 Training Time (ch. 30, 35, 1606, 1607) VA benefits are paid based on training time. For undergraduates in a standard quarter or semester, VA measures training time as follows: 12 credits is full-time 9-11 credits is �-time 6-8 credits is �-time 4-5 credits is < �-time 1-3 credits is < �-time For graduates, VA benefits are paid based on the training time certified by the school.

20. 20 CH.33 � Post-9/11 GI Bill Served on active duty on or after 09/11/01. Honorable discharge from service. Served a minimum of 90 aggregate days (excluding entry level and skill training). Eligibility can also be established if served at least 30 continuous days active duty and discharged for a service-connected disability. Active duty members eligible on 90th day after completion of entry level training. Note: Visit www.gibill.va.gov for specific requirements

21. 21 Eligibility Criteria

22. 22 CH.33 Elections An individual eligible for chapter 33 who is: Eligible for CH. 30, 1606, or 1607; or A member of the Armed Forces and making the basic $1,200 contribution toward CH. 30; or A member of the Armed Forces who previously declined to elect CH. 30 **The veteran must make an irrevocable election to receive CH 33 and must give VA an election date that he or she wants CH 33 to begin.

23. 23 What is Entitlement? Entitlement is the amount of monthly full-time benefits a claimant will receive. Veterans and reservists under chapters 30, 33, 1606, and 1607 are generally entitled to 36 months of benefits. Veterans under chapter 32 are charged entitlement based on their monthly contributions they made, up to a maximum of 36 months. Dependents and spouses under chapter 35 are entitled to 45 months of benefits. Veterans and reservists can receive 48 months (48-month rule) of benefits under any combination of benefit programs (only one benefit at any one time).

24. 24 How is Entitlement Charged? Entitlement is charged one day for each day of full time training. Example: A VA Student attending school �-time time for 60 days is charged 1 month of entitlement.

25. 25 What is a Delimiting Date? All VA students have a set period of time to use their VA education benefit. The delimiting date is the date their benefit ends and any remaining entitlement is lost. Extensions are rare and are dictated by law.

26. 26 Delimiting Dates Chapter 30 - Eligible veterans have 10 years from their date of discharge. Chapter 31 - Eligible veterans have 12 years from their date of discharge. Chapter 32 - 10 years and 1 day from the date of completion of the obligated period of service. Chapter 33 - Eligible veterans or transferees have 15 years from veteran�s date of discharge Chapter 35 Child - Generally have 8 years from date they are found eligible, if found eligible between ages 18-26.

27. 27 Delimiting Dates (continued) Chapter 35 Spouse - Generally 10 years from date of veteran�s service-connected death, or date VA determined service-connected disability is permanent and total, whichever is later. Chapter 1606 - There is no longer a delimiting date for active reservists who are satisfactorily training with a Ready Reserve unit. Chapter 1607 - No delimiting date until veteran leaves selected reserves. When a reservist completes their military obligation and exits service from the Ready Reserve then they may establish a 10 year delimiting date. Other exceptions apply.

28. 28 CH.33 Benefits

29. 29 CH.33 Benefits Include Tuition & fees paid directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning. A monthly housing allowance based on the BAH for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. Paid directly to the student. An annual books & supplies stipend of $1000. Paid directly to the student. For more expensive tuition, a program exists which may help reimburse the difference called Yellow Ribbon. To participate, the veteran must be eligible at the 100% rate. A one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals.

30. 30 Tuition and Fees Tuition Tuition is the actual established charges for tuition that similarly circumstanced non-veterans enrolled in the program of education are required to pay. Fees Fees are mandatory charges (other than tuition, room and board) applied by the school for pursuit of an approved program of education. Fees include, but are not limited to, health premiums, freshman fees, graduation fees, and lab fees. Fees do not include study abroad course(s) unless the course(s) is a mandatory requirement for completion of the approved program of education.

31. 31 Tuition and Fees Tuition and fee payments will be issued to the school on behalf of each student via Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT). If EFT information is unavailable, payments will be sent to the school mailing address on file in VA�s Web-Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS). Payments will include student identification information and the semester, quarter or term the payment is covering.

32. 32 Tuition and Fees Example Status: Veteran Benefit Level : 100% Highest in state maximum charged per credit hour: $450 Highest in state fees: $4,000 Tuition charged: $7,000 Fees charged: $1,000 Number of hours enrolled: 12

33. 33 Tuition and Fees Example (continued) Calculation: Step 1 - Determine tuition cap $450 X 12 = $5,400 Step 2 - Compare tuition $5,400 vs. $7,000 pay the lesser: $5,400 Step 3 - Determine fee cap $4,000 (highest in state fees) Step 4 - Compare fees $4,000 vs. $1,000 pay the lesser: $1,000 Step 5 � Add tuition & fees and multiply by benefit level $5,400 + $1,000 = $6,400 $6,400 x 100% = $6,400 RESULT: Tuition and fee payment to school is $6,400.

34. 34 Monthly Housing Allowance Individuals are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance if they are: - On active duty - Rate of pursuit is 50% or less - Pursuing training solely by distance learning

35. 35 Monthly Housing Allowance Equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. BAH determined by zip code of the IHL where the student is enrolled.http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html Calculated by multiplying the individual�s benefit level (40�100%) by the full monthly housing allowance. Payments issued directly to the student on a monthly basis for the previous month.

36. 36 Monthly Housing Allowance Example Length of service percentage is: 70% BAH for University of Atlantis is: $970 Enrollment: 9/1/10 to 12/19/10, 12 credit (Full time is 12 credit) Rate of pursuit is 100% Student is eligible for housing allowance Student will receive a monthly rate of $679 ($970 X 70% = $679)

37. 37 Rate of Pursuit Rate of pursuit applies specifically to Ch. 33 and is similar to training time in other benefit programs. It is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours (or equivalent) being pursued by the number of credit hours (or equivalent) that is considered to be full-time at the specific institution. The resulting percentage is the individual�s rate of pursuit.

38. 38 Rate of Pursuit Example Standard Semester: Full-time is 12 credit hours Student is pursuing 8 credit hours 8 �12 = 0.66667 Rate of pursuit is 67% **If rate of pursuit is more than 0.50000 or 50%, housing allowance is payable

39. 39 Books and Supplies Stipend Up to $1,000 per academic year - $41.67 per credit hour - Up to 24 credit hours in a single academic year - Lump sum payment (each quarter, semester or term attended) paid directly to the student Prorated based on benefit level Active duty members are not eligible

40. 40 Books and Supplies Example An student eligible at the 80% benefit level enrolls for 15 credit hours for the Fall 2010 term. Calculation: $41.67 X 15 X 80% = $500.04 The student enrolls for another 15 credit hours for the Winter 2011 term. How much is the payment for the books and supplies stipend?

41. 41 Books and Supplies Example The student already received the books and supplies stipend for 15 credit hours, he/she is only eligible for an additional 9 credit hours Calculation: $41.67 X 9 X 80% = $300.03

42. 42 Yellow Ribbon The Yellow Ribbon benefit applies to eligible students, who are charged tuition and fees that exceed the highest in-state undergraduate tuition rate. If a student is eligible for CH 33 at the 100% level and is attending an IHL participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the student is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Institutions can enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with VA and choose the amount of tuition and fees that will be contributed. VA will match that amount and issue the payment directly to the institution.

43. 43 Yellow Ribbon Agreement - The IHL must agree to: Provide contributions to eligible individuals who apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program on a first-come, first serve basis regardless of the individual�s rate of pursuit May provide contributions by direct grant, scholarship or otherwise State the maximum number of individuals for whom contributions will be made in any given year

44. 44 Yellow Ribbon Agreement - The IHL: Must state the maximum dollar amount that will be provided to each participant during the academic year. Must agree to provide Yellow Ribbon Program contributions to participating students during the current academic year and all subsequent academic years as long as the institution participates and the student remains in good academic standing.

45. 45 Yellow Ribbon Example University of Atlantis (UA) certifies Jennifer Smith 14 credits winter 2010 Tuition cost: $15,400 Tuition cap: $6,132 ($438 X 14 = $6,132) Difference: $9,268 UA�s Yellow Ribbon waiver is $12,200 (maximum annual) for 40 students UA waives $4,634 VA matches UA�s $4,634 and sends UA $4,634. Tuition cost $15,400 State Cap $ 6,132 Difference $ 9,268 Yellow-Ribbon $ 9,268 ($4,634 from UA & $4,634 from VA) Jennifer owes $ 0

46. 46 Responsibilities

47. 47 Who is Who SCO (School Certifying Official): School personnel delegated authority to sign enrollment certifications, documents, and reports relating to VA benefits. SAA (State Approving Agency): Agency appointed by the Governor to approve schools and programs for VA purposes. In Oregon, the Oregon Department of Education. ELR (Education Liaison Representative): VA employee responsible for liaison, approval review and acceptance, and compliance surveys.

48. 48 Student Responsibilities Verify monthly attendance through WAVE or IVR Ch. 30, 1606, 1607 https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do 1-877-823-2378 Ch. 33 & 35 do not have to verify attendance Ensure SCO�s are aware of enrollment status and any subsequent changes

49. 49 School Responsibilities Keep VA Informed of Student Enrollment Status: Accurate and prompt certification of enrollments and changes in enrollment Use basic forms or VA-Once to keep VA informed Report all enrollments and changes within 30 days Monitor students academic progress Always Inform Your State Approving Agency (SAA): New Programs and changes in current programs Changes in academic policies and procedures Changes of address, phone numbers, certifying officials Any other information required by the SAA

50. 50 School Responsibilities Maintain Records for VA Students Retain file of VA papers submitted & records of academic progress, program pursuit, etc. Maintain records for at least three years following the students last day of attendance. Keep records in a safe and secure place to ensure privacy of VA students. Make available all school records to the VA and SAA.

51. 51 School Responsibilities VA Student Files Should Contain: Copies of all VA paperwork Transcripts Grade Report Summary Drop Slips Registration Slips (add/drop period) Students School Application Disciplinary Records Etc.

52. 52 SAA Responsibilities Approving programs of education and training for veterans, servicepersons, and other eligible persons Supervising approved schools and job training establishments Withdrawing the approvals of programs that fail to maintain the standards and conditions upon which approval was granted The SAA is not responsible for the approval of programs under Chapter 31 Voc/Rehab program

53. 53 ELR Responsibilities Receiving, reviewing, and taking appropriate actions on all approval notices submitted by the SAA. Creating and updating records in WEAMS and VA-Once. Maintaining working relationships with officials at schools and job training establishments and promptly informing them of changes in VA policies and procedures. Scheduling and monitoring the completion of required compliance surveys (ECSS). Scheduling and conducting liaison visits with schools and job training establishments or other government offices on �as needed� basis.

54. 54 Helpful Numbers Muskogee Hours of Operation Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time Students and schools can use this number: 1.888.442.4551 Direct Deposit: 1.877.838.2778 Interactive Voice Response (IVR): 1.877.823.2378 For non-education related VA information & questions: 1.800.827.1000

55. 55 Questions