Transcript Document

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational
Assistance Act of 2008
U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs
2009
Objectives
 Overview of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33)
 Time line
 Eligibility
 Payments
 Transferability Rules
 Overpayments and Debt Collection
 Yellow Ribbon Program
NOTE: Atlanta has approximately 60,000 pending cases
2
Student Experience Timeline

VA began processing applications for Certificates of Eligibility
- VA began mailing C of E to students showing:
• Months of entitlement
• Tier of eligibility
• Delimiting date
• If Yellow Ribbon eligible
May 1, 2009

DOD began Transfer of Entitlement program
June 2009

VA began accepting enrollment certifications from schools
Jul 6, 2009

VA paid first tuition and fees payments to schools:
Aug 3, 2009
−
−
VA paid first books and supplies stipend to student
VA provides notice to student of:
• Tuition and fee payment amount (including Yellow Ribbon amounts)
• Book stipend payment amount
• Monthly housing payment amount
• Need to notify VA of changes in enrollment
• Obligation to repay any O/P resulting from changes in training
Aug 3, 2009

VA paid first partial housing allowance for August attendance
Sep 1, 2009

VA paid first full monthly housing allowance for September attendance
Oct 1, 2009
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Criteria
Individuals who served on active duty after
09/10/01 may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI
Bill if the individual:
 Served for an aggregate period of at least
90 days OR
 Served for at least 30 continuous days on
active duty after 9/10/01 and were
discharged due to a service connected
disability.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Criteria
To retain eligibility after discharge, the
individual must:
 Be honorably discharged OR
 Be discharged with less than an honorable
(but NOT dishonorable) discharge for:
- A medical condition which existed prior
to service (EPTS)
- Hardship (HDSP) or,
- A condition which interfered with duty
(CIWD).
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Benefit Level
• Individuals eligible at the maximum benefit
level may receive 100% of the benefits
payable. Does NOT mean 100% of T&F!
• All others receive a percentage based on
their length of service. NOTE: Can change!
• Claimants will be responsible for the
difference between actual charges and the
percentage of benefits due based on their
length of service or maximum
reimbursement.
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Eligibility Criteria
Service Requirements
(after 9/10/01 an individual must serve an
aggregate of)
Payment Tiers
Percentage
At least 36 months
100
At least 30 continuous days on active duty
(Must be discharged due to service-connected
disability)
100
At least 30 months, but less than 36 months
90
At least 24 months, but less than 30 months
80
*At least 18 months, but less than 24 months
70
*At least 12 months, but less than 18 months
60
*At least 06 months, but less than 12 months
50
*At least 90 days, but less than 06 months
40
*Excludes time served in Basic Military Training and/or Skill Training
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Criteria
Entry level and skill training are defined as follows:
 ARMY: Basic Combat Training & Advanced
Individual Training
 NAVY: Recruit Training (Boot Camp) & Skill
Training (“A” School)
 AIR FORCE: Basic Military & Technical School
 MARINE CORPS: Recruit Training & Marine Corps
(or School of Infantry Training)
NOTE: Entry level and skill training are not considered
for involuntary call ups.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
Individuals who:
 Enlisted under the Student Loan Repayment plan
 Received an ROTC scholarship
 Graduated from a service academy, or
CAN qualify for Ch33 BUT the time spent
satisfying the active duty obligation
does not count toward Ch33.
NOTE: 3 years are deducted for LRP, 4 years for
ROTC and 5 years for service academy.
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Eligibility for Other VA Benefits
Individuals eligible for one of the other VA education benefits
(other than VEAP) must make an irrevocable election to receive
benefits under Chapter 33. If eligible for more than one benefit,
only one benefit needs to be relinquished.
• An individual who relinquishes eligibility under Ch30,Ch1606,
or Ch1607 may receive benefits for approved programs not
offered by IHLs (i.e. *flight, correspondence, Apprenticeship/
OJT, NCD schools, preparatory courses, & national tests).
• They will be paid as if they are still receiving benefits under
the relinquished benefit, however, their entitlement will be
charged under Ch33.
• NOTE: The monthly housing allowance and the books and
supplies stipend are not payable.
10 at IHL
* may be approved under Ch33 if part of a degree program
Post-9/11 GI Bill Elections
The following individuals can also use Ch33:
 A member of the Armed Forces who previously declined to elect
chapter 30.
NOTE: Active duty members are still being given the option to enroll
in Chapter 30! They can then relinquish Ch30 for Ch33 at a later date
if they choose
 If eligible for both VEAP and the Post-9/11 GI Bill a claimant may
- disenroll from VEAP & receive a refund of contributions, or
- leave the remaining contributions in their VEAP account and
remain eligible for both benefit programs
NOTE: Claimants may not receive benefits under more than one
program at the same time.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Entitlement
Individuals will generally receive 36 months of benefits under
Ch33
Individuals who elect to receive Ch33 in lieu of one of the
other benefits are limited to a total of 48 months of combined
benefits
Important! Individuals who elect to receive Ch33 in lieu of
Ch30 benefits are limited to their remaining Ch30 entitlement
at the time of the election
Therefore, it may be in a Ch30 student’s best interest to
exhaust their Ch30 before switching to Ch33
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Payments
 Tuition and Fees
– Based on the highest in-state T&F at a
PUBLIC institution (Chapel Hill)
– Paid to school
 Monthly Housing Allowance (BAH)
 Books and Supplies Stipend
 Kickers/College Fund are payable
 ”Buy-up” is NOT payable
 Yellow Ribbon Program
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Payments
Miscellaneous Payments
- One time $500 Rural Relocation Benefit
•
•
–
–
–
–
–
–
6 persons or less per square mile AND physically relocates
at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or
travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if
no other land-based transportation exists
One Licensing and Certification Test
Interval Payments (will be charged entitlement)
Extending payment to end of term (not beyond 48
months for member/not at all for TOE dependents)
Work-Study (at least 75% rate of pursuit)
Tutorial Assistance (at least 50% rate of pursuit)
Refund of applicable % of Ch30 Contributions
(only once ALL Ch33 entitlement is exhausted)
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Effective Date
August 1, 2009
Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefits can be paid for
training pursued on or after August 1, 2009.
No payments may be made for training taken before that
date.
If no election date is provided on the 1990, 8/1/09 will be
used – even in irrevocable situations.
If a claimant does not indicate which benefit they are
relinquishing, VA will make the decision for them and send a
letter to the claimant advising which benefit was
relinquished
No signature is required on the application.
Right Now Web Elections are not acceptable.
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Tuition and Fees
 VA has developed a mechanism that establishes the
maximum in-state public tuition on a separate “tuition
per credit hour” and “fees per term” basis.
 If a school charges a flat rate tuition amount for modulated
terms the school will divide the total tuition charged by the
minimum number of hours considered full-time. They will
certify that amount for each hour certified up to the minimum
number of hours required for full-time training. No tuition
should be certified for subsequent hours pursued.
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Tuition Charged
 Each State has maximum in-State per credit hour
tuition amount listed on VA’s website
~ $494.00 ~
 VA compares actual tuition charged per credit hour
vs. maximum in-State per credit hour and pays the
lesser amount. NOTE: May also be prorated by %.
EXAMPLE: Maximum in-State is $494 per credit hour. Joe’s
school reports he is enrolled in 15 credit hours for Fall ‘09
semester and is charged $3,000 tuition. He is eligible at the
100% tier.
–Determine maximum: $494 x 15 = $7,410.
–VA pays lesser amount: $3,000.
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Fees Defined
 FEES — Any mandatory charges (except tuition,
room, and board, parking) including, but not limited
to:




Health premiums
Freshman fees
Graduation fees
Lab fees
Does not include charges for study abroad courses
unless course is mandatory.
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Fees Charged
 Each State has maximum fees per term (quarter,
semester, or non-standard)
~ $2163.90 ~
 VA compares actual fees charged for term vs.
maximum in-State fees per term and pays the lesser
amount. NOTE: May be prorated by entitlement %.
EXAMPLE: Maximum in-State fees is $2163.80 per term. Joe’s
school reports he was charged $900 in fees for Fall ‘09 semester.
– VA pays lesser amount: $900.
If Joe is eligible at 100% tier level (based on length of
service), total T&F payment = $3,900)
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Tuition and Fees Charged
Active Duty
 Individuals on active duty are eligible for the the lesser of:
 Tuition and fees charged; or
 The amount of tuition and fees charged that exceeds the
amount paid by the military’s tuition assistance (TA)
program.
 Student submits TA form directly to VA. No school cert.
 There are no state or tier caps! This includes eligible
spouses while member is on active duty!
IMPORTANT: Need to make sure its worth how much
entitlement will be used if only a small amount is left to pay
under CH33, as ALL classes taken that term will be used to
determine the entitlement charge!
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Tuition and Fees
State Tuition Assistance
 For state Tuition Assistance, VA should be the primary payer. State
tuition assistance should pay any difference.
 If required by your state, the state or unit should be refunded any
excess amount of state tuition assistance money paid above balance.
NOTE: The rules are different for Active Duty students receiving Federal TA.
For Active Duty students, TA pays first and CH33 pays the difference but the
school does NOT certify for the CH33 funds. The student should submit a copy
of the TA form directly to VA.
 If a student is certified full tuition and fees and Federal TA funds have
been received an overpayment will be created on the student’s VA
account.
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Tuition and Fees
State/Private/Local Funds
VA will pay the amount the individual is entitled to under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Even if
that payment comes in after other payments are received, the school should accept VA’s
payment and return any additional funds received to other sources in accordance
with established policies.
Examples of state, local, and private funds/scholarships/waivers in North Carolina that
are not to be considered when certifying enrollments under chapter 33 include but are not
limited to:
 NC Legislative Tuition Grant (NCLTG),
 NC Contractual Scholarship
 NC Lottery
 North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs Tuition Waiver for the children of
disabled/deceased Veterans
 Employer payments of tuition and fees including waivers for college or state employees
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Tuition and Fees
FEDERAL FUNDS
 Schools should report the amount of tuition and fees initially charged
the individual after deducting any amounts paid with Federal Funds
(excluding title IV funds).
Examples of programs that provide educational assistance with non-title IV Federal
Funds include—




Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
Health Professionals Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Government Employees’ Training Act (GETA)
If a student is certified full tuition and fees and any of these types of funds have been
received an overpayment will be created on the student’s VA account.
NOTE: The list above is not all-inclusive. It just lists examples of Federal
programs that offer tuition assistance to certain individuals.
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Tuition and Fees
TITLE IV FUNDS
By law VA cannot consider Title IV Financial Aid when determining the
amounts payable under VA educational assistance programs.
The term "Title IV Funds" refers to the Federal Financial Aid Programs authorized under the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) and includes the following programs—






Unsubsidized and Subsidized Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL),
Unsubsidized and Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans,
Federal Perkins Loans,
FFEL Parent (PLUS) Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans,
Federal Pell Grants,
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
NOTE: Ch 33 will be paid and Financial aid counselors at the schools will determine
whether or not it is appropriate for the student to remain entitled to the other aid and
scholarship programs. VA has no authority to provide guidance regarding the impact of
receipt of Post-9/11 GI Bill payments on non-federal financial aid.
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Identifying payments from VA

When VA processes an enrollment certification, submitted by the School Certifying
Official, payments will be released. VA will not make payments to the schools based
on invoices or bills.

VA will make one Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit for the Tuition and Fees
payment and one for the Yellow Ribbon Program payment, if applicable, directly into
the school's financial account for each certified Chapter 33 student.

The direct deposit payment will include an addenda field with the student's identifying
information. The addenda will include the student's VA file number, the student's
name (up to 20 characters), and the term dates for the payment. Schools may
request the addenda information from their Financial Institution. Please request
that your financial institution provide this information in a readable format so
that you will be able to match the payment with the student.
NOTE: If your direct deposit information changes or you wish to enroll in direct
deposit, please notify me immediately by emailing [email protected].
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Identifying payments from VA

Should VA not have an active direct deposit payment address for your
school, we will make payments to you by paper check.

These checks will be sent to the mailing address on file. A stub
containing the student's identifying information specified above will be
attached to each check.

Besides the addenda information provided with the individual student
payments, VA will also mail your School Certifying Official a weekly
report known as the Vet Rep Listing Report. This report lists all VA
education benefits your students are receiving.

Payments made directly to the schools will be listed on the report in a
subsection titled "Chapter 33 Tuition and Fees, and Yellow Ribbon
Payments." Payments to students will not be listed.
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Monthly Housing Allowance
 Equivalent to the DOD Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5
with dependents (paid directly to the eligible person on a monthly basis)
– Determined by zip code of the IHL where student is enrolled
http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/bah.html
– Prorated based on the applicable entitlement %
– Doesn’t matter what grade at discharge or if they actually have
dependents
 Active duty members, anyone whose “rate of pursuit” is 50% or less,
are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance. Also not eligible
for BAH if pursuing training solely by distance learning. BUT:
- Are eligible for BAH if taking at least one in-residence class
- All courses (on-line & in-residence) meet greater than 50% rule
- Zip code of in-residence school will be used
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Monthly Housing Allowance
“ HYBRID COURSES”

For VA purposes, the term "Hybrid" doesn't exist. Courses are
either "residence" courses or "distance learning" courses.

A course that meets face to face to provide instruction for the number of
hours necessary to qualify for the credit hours being awarded would be a
residence course even though they are using online resources to post
assignments and submit work. (i.e., a 3 semester hour course must meet,
face to face, for at least three hours per week to qualify as a residence
course).
A course that meets only a short period of time so that the instructor can
answer questions or counsel students but which has the bulk of instruction
provided through an online source, would be considered a distance
learning course.


You need to decide which category your courses would fall under and certify
accordingly. As in all aspects of VA certification, compliance surveys will
review to ensure that certification is accurate.
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Rate of Pursuit
• Rate of pursuit applies specifically to the Post-9/11 GI
Bill, and is similar to training time in other benefits
• It is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours
being pursued by the number of credit hours that is
considered to be full-time, as determined by the SAA,
at the specific institution
• The resulting percentage is the individual’s rate of
pursuit. NOTE: Rate of Pursuit also determines
Entitlement charge.
• Example: 6/12= .50 or 50% NOT eligible BAH
7/12 = .58 or 58% IS eligible BAH
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Rate of Pursuit
Non-Standard Terms/summer:
For non-standard terms such as summer, rate of
pursuit will be calculated just as we do now for
training time using “equivalent credit hours”
Once you have calculated the “equivalent credit
hours” you will use that number in your rate of
pursuit calculation along with the standard FT
measure EX: Term 6/1/09 – 7/30/09 @3 cr (= 9 wks)
- At a semester hour school 3cr over 9 weeks is
equivalent to 6 credits over a standard term.
- Rate of Pursuit: 6/12 =.50 or exactly 50%
- So NO BAH as the rate of pursuit must be MORE than 50%
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Books and Supplies Stipend
 Up to a $1,000 per 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)
 Prorated based on the percentage of the
maximum benefit payable
 Active duty members are not eligible
Note: Benefit payments are paid directly to the student
31
Books and Supplies Stipend
 Example:
– If Susan enrolls in 15 credit hours for the Fall Term, she
will receive a lump sum payment of $625.05
($41.67 x 15 credit hours = $625.05)
– During the Spring term she enrolls in 12 hours.
– Susan is only eligible to receive the books and supplies
stipend for 9 of the 12 credit hours, she can not exceed the
maximum of 24 credit hours in a single academic year.
– Her payment for the Spring term will be $375.03
($41.27 x 9 = $375.03)
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Kickers/College Fund/”Buy-Up”
 MGIB (Ch30) and/or MGIB-SR (Ch1606) kickers under
Chapter 33 will be:
– Paid in lump sum to student for enrollment period
based on rate of pursuit
– Paid to spouse/child if using transferred benefits
 New chapter 33 kicker (Not available yet)
– Only eligible for kicker if entitled to BAH
– Will be paid with the monthly BAH
 $600 buy-up does not transfer to chapter 33 & no
refund will be given
33
Approved Programs
 All programs approved under chapter 30 and offered
by an IHL are payable under Ch33
NOTE: NCDs at an IHL are payable
NCDs at an NCD school are not
 Only ONE Licensing and Certification test is payable
under Ch33
– Up to $2000 for the test ONLY
– Other related expenses are not payable
– Must be taken after 8/1/09
34
Factors to Consider
 Individuals should carefully consider their
education goals before applying and electing
benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
 VA can provide general benefit comparison
information, however, an individual’s
unique circumstances must also be
considered
 Benefit comparison information is available
at www.gibill.va.gov
 NOTE: Claimants do NOT have to elect now!
35
Elections – What should a vet consider?
 Which benefit pays them more?
–
–
–
–
Are they receiving other aid?
What Chap 33 tier are they eligible for?
Rate of Pursuit
Generally, if BAH exceeds current monthly
benefit, they gain under Chap 33.
 What type of training?
 Is delimiting date important to them?
 In Armed Forces on 8-1-09?
– Eligible for TOE? Want to transfer?
36
QUESTIONS?
TOE is next!
37
Transfer of Entitlement
Department of Defense Benefit
Administered by VA
38
Transfer of Entitlement
(Department of Defense Benefit)
 DoD determines eligibility for
transferability and may, by regulation,
impose additional eligibility requirements
and limit the number of months
transferable
 PHS/NOAA members are not eligible to
transfer benefits
 DOD hopes to begin accepting transfers in
June.
39
Transfer of Entitlement
(Department of Defense Benefit)
 On or after August 1, 2009, DoD may
allow an individual to elect to transfer
entitlement to one or more dependents
if he/she —
– Has served at least 6 years in the
Armed Forces; and
– Agrees to serve at least another 4
years in the Armed Forces.
 There is one permanent & 5 temporary
exceptions to the rules above.
40
Transfer of Entitlement
(Department of Defense Benefit)
 Permanent Exception:
– Has served at least 10 years in the
Armed Forces; AND
– On the date of election is precluded
by either standard policy or statute
from committing to 4 additional years
AND
– Agrees to serve the maximum amount
of time allowed by such policy or
statute.
41
Transfer of Entitlement
(Department of Defense Benefit)
Temporary Exceptions:
DoD will allow 5 waivers to the additional 4year requirement for those at or near
retirement.
– Effects those who are or will become
retirement eligible from 8/1/09-8/1/13.
– A service member is considered to be
retirement eligible after 20 years of active
duty or
– 20 years of qualifying reserve service.
42
Transfer of Entitlement
(Department of Defense Benefit)
Temporary Exceptions:
No additional service required if:
- eligible for retirement on 8/1/09, OR
- If have an approved retirement date after 8/1/09 but
before 7/1/10
1 year additional service if:
-eligible for retirement after 8/1/09 but before 8/1/10
2 years additional service if:
-eligible for retirement on or after 8/1/10 but before 8/1/11
3 years additional service if:
-eligible for retirement on or after 8/1/11 but before 8/1/12
43
Transfer of Entitlement
(Department of Defense Benefit)
 Can transfer entitlement to spouse and/or children
in any combination.
 Transfer cannot exceed remaining entitlement
under CH33.
 Can only add dependents while in the Armed
Forces.
 Transferor retains the right to revoke or modify the
transfer at any time.
 If both the veteran and transferee are attending
school and entitled to BAH, both will receive BAH.
44
Transfer of Entitlement
(Department of Defense Benefit)
Spouses:
 May use transferred benefits after 6 years of
service.
 Is paid as the transferor would be (i.e. if
transferor is on active duty spouse is paid as
if on active duty. If vet, paid spouse is paid as
a vet would be).
 Can use the benefit for up to 15 years after
the transferor’s latest discharge.

Under law, benefits are not marital property and are
not subject to division in a divorce or other civil
proceedings
45
Transfer of Entitlement
(Department of Defense Benefit)
Children:

Transfer must occur before the age of 23

May use the benefit only after the transferor has
served the full 10 years.

May not use the benefit until he/she has a
secondary school diploma (or equivalency
certificate), or reached 18 years of age.

Is always paid as if the transferor is a veteran
(i.e. will be entitled to BAH & book stipend even if
transferor is on active duty).

Is not subject to the 15-year delimiting period,
but may not use the benefits after age 26.
46
QUESTIONS?
Next: Overpayments!
47
Overpayments
48
Overpayment of Benefits
 An individual who doesn’t complete one or more
courses and who does not provide mitigating
circumstances for not completing such course(s), will
be charged an overpayment equal to the amount of
ALL of the tuition & fees, BAH and Yellow Ribbon, if
applicable, paid for such course(s) for that period of
enrollment.
 VA will determine the amount of overpayment of
chapter 33 benefits and notify the student.
 Student will keep the full book stipend paid if they
attend at least one class session.
49
Overpayment of Benefits
 Six credit hour exclusion still applies to
first reduction or withdrawal
 If mitigating circumstances exist,
student may be due partial payment of
– Tuition and fees (and Yellow Ribbon)
prorated to date last attended for complete
withdrawals and end of the month for
reductions
– Housing allowance paid until end of month
in which the reduction or withdrawal
occurred
50
Overpayment of Benefits (Contd)
 In most cases, overpayments will not be
collected during the due process period,
which is 30 days from the day of notification.
Bottom Line: Students with existing
overpayments on their record may attend
schools; however, their benefit payments
(including Tuition and Fees) may be applied
to the overpayment until it is repaid.
51
Overpayment of Benefits (Cont’d)
 The student is responsible for any overpayment incurred as a
result of not completing the course(s)
 If an overpayment is charged, the student will make repayment
arrangements with VA’s Debt Management Center (DMC)
regardless of whether or not a refund was received from the school
 If the student does not complete a course, schools should follow
their established student refund policy
Important: Tuition and Fees payments are paid to the
school on behalf of the student; overpayments for Tuition
and Fees will be charged to the student.
52
Overpayment of Benefits (Cont’d)
 Only If the student never attends a course the school returns the
payment to VA
 Returned payments must include the student identification
information as well as the intended quarter, semester, or term for
which the payment was made
 If the school must return a paper check, they should send the
uncashed check to:
US Dept of Treasury
Financial Management Services
PO Box 51318
Philadelphia PA 19115-6316
53
Overpayment of Benefits (Cont’d)
 If the school is returning an electronic funds payment (direct
deposit) schools may refund VA electronically via Automated
Clearing House (ACH).
 To do so, schools should request their bank return the full
payment using an R23 ACH code.
 Each bank has its own procedures and time constraints for
returning direct deposit payments. Check with your bank for
specific instructions.
54
Overpayment of Benefits
 If an individual is “called up” to active duty, VA will restore
entitlement if the individual does not receive credit for the course.
In these instances VA will—
 NOT charge an overpayment for chapter 33 tuition and fees
payment or Yellow Ribbon benefits for the certified enrollment
period;
– Not charge an overpayment of the book stipend for the
enrollment period; and
– Discontinue the monthly housing allowance at the end of the
month during which the individual last attended.
 NOTE: Have the student submit a copy of their DD Form 214 upon
return from their call up.
55
Transfer of Entitlement & Overpayments
 IMPORTANT !!
– Transferor and individual using
transferred entitlement are jointly
liable for any overpayment of chapter
33 benefits
56
QUESTIONS?
Next: Yellow Ribbon
57
Yellow Ribbon
58
Yellow Ribbon Program
• Institutions may voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund
tuition and fee costs that exceed the highest public in-state
undergraduate tuition and fees for:
− Training at private institutions
− Graduate training
− Out-of-state tuition
• Only Individuals entitled at the 100% benefit level, including Transfer
of Entitlement recipients, may receive this funding
• VA will match each additional dollar that an institution contributes
toward the student’s tuition costs, up to 50% of the difference between
the student’s Ch33 payment & the total cost of tuition and fees.
• Must be awarded on a “first come, first served” based on the number
of students in each category. (ie 100 students total with 25 allotted to
the School of Law & 75 for students from the College of Education).
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Yellow Ribbon Program (Cont’d)

Can I choose to indicate the number of students and the dollar amount for
each line on block 7 of the Agreement?
- Yes, schools can indicate the number of students that can participate and
specify contributions based on student status (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral)
and college or professional school.

Can I choose to award Y.R. for specific degree programs? Can I choose day
undergrad & not evening undergrad students? Can I choose to exclude
out-of-state or part-time students?
- No. You cannot differentiate contributions by degree.The subcategory must be chosen by
7b Undergraduate, Graduate or Doctoral and/or 7c by college or professional school.

How do I determine an amount when I don’t know how much 09-10 tuition &
fees will be? Can agreements be amended when the 09-10 rates come out?
- Choose the flat amount that best fits your choice for contribution
considering the 2008-2009 highest maximum tuition and fees as well as
your school’s planned budget.
- No, agreements cannot be amended once signed and approved by VA.
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Yellow Ribbon Program (Cont’d)

Can I establish a deadline each year for students to submit
applications for the Yellow Ribbon Program?
- Yes. Although you are required to offer the Yellow Ribbon Program to your
students on a “first come, first served” basis, you may establish policy detailing how
this will be implemented, which may include an application deadline.
- The policy should be clearly documented and communicated to your students.
- Students who participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program during one academic year
must be offered Yellow Ribbon Program benefits throughout their education at the
school as long as the following apply:
The school continues to participate in the program,
The student remains in good academic standing, and
The student has remaining entitlement.
BUT: You may change the amount you choose to contribute to a student when you sign a
new agreement for a new academic year.
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Yellow Ribbon Program (Cont’d)
 How does VA interpret the terms “Direct Grant” and
“Scholarship” in Question 5 of the Agreement?
- The
law requires you to tell us how you will provide the contribution.
- Yellow Ribbon Program contributions cannot be:
1. Loans
2. Funds received directly or indirectly from Federal sources
(including Title IV funds), or
3. Funds from a third party that are not under the “unrestricted
control” of the school.
- The term "unrestricted funds" refers to funding that is available to
the IHL without any conditions on its use (i.e., designated for use by a
specific individual or a specific group of individuals).
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Yellow Ribbon Program (Cont’d)

Yellow Ribbon Information will be displayed on the GI Bill website in the
section where students can search for approved schools and will show:
– Participating Institutions of Higher Learning
– Maximum Yellow Ribbon Payment information
– Maximum number of participants at the IHL

Students were able to begin searching for institutions that are
participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program on June 16, 2009

EXAMPLE: IHL agreed to pay $1,000 during the academic year for each
Yellow Ribbon student.
– Jim’s tuition and fees for Fall ’09 are $6,500. VA pays maximum inState T&F of $4,000 as chapter 33 benefit.
– $2500 remaining, School Yellow Ribbon contribution is $1,000, VA
contributes $1,000. Jim must pay remainder of $500.
– Jim has used maximum contribution from school for academic year.
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Yellow Ribbon Program
Certification Process

Participating schools will offer Yellow Ribbon to eligible students on a “first
come, first served basis.”

VA-Once modifications have been made to allow schools to certify student’s
tuition and fees separately, and to enter the Yellow Ribbon contribution
amount.

VA will verify student’s eligibility and process payments.
Note: Yellow Ribbon paid as lump sum to school

VA will provide notification to student, including decision regarding Yellow
Ribbon.

VA will make Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposits for the Yellow
Ribbon amount along with the tuition and fee payment directly to the
school’s financial account.
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References
GI Bill Website (www.gibill.va.gov)
- Sign up for FAQ updates!
- Sign up for RSS feeds to be notified of any
change on web page (orange block on page that
says RSS)
GI Bill Hotline: 1-888-GIBILL-1
Yellow Ribbon mailbox ([email protected])
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