Transcript Document

Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview
On January 4, 2011, President Obama signed the Post-9/11
Veterans Educational Improvements Act of 2010 into law (PL 111377). The legislation amends the provisions of chapter 33 of title
38 U.S.C., modifying the rules by which VA will make eligibility,
award, and entitlement calculations. The provisions vary in their
effective dates, with some effective on the date of enactment
(January 4, 2011), and the last provisions effective on October 1,
2011.
NOTE: This is an overview of the legislation. Regulations are
currently being drafted for implementation of the changes.
Procedures will be issued to deal with specific issues and
scenarios as we get closer to the effective dates of the various
provisions.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
An individual who serves on active duty
after 09/10/01 may be eligible for the
Post-9/11 GI Bill if the individual—
 Serves for an aggregate period of at
least 90 days.
 Title 10
 Title 32 (payable 10/01/2011)
Exception: An individual discharged due to a serviceconnected disability after serving at least 30 continuous
days on active duty after 9/10/01, may also be eligible.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
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 in Basic Military Training and/or Skill Training
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
Qualifying active duty does not include the
following:
 Service Academy Contract Period; or
 ROTC contract period under 10 U.S.C.
2107(b); or
 Army One Station Unit Training; or
 Coast Guard Skill Training; or
 Coast Guard Academy Contract Period; or
 Service terminated due to an erroneous or
defective enlistment; or
 Service used for loan repayment; or
 Selected Reserve Service used to establish
eligibility under chapter 30, 1606, or 1607.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
In order to retain eligibility after
meeting the service requirements,
an individual must—
 Continue on active duty; or
 Be honorably discharged from
Armed Forces; or
 Be honorably discharged for further
service in a reserve component; or
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
 Be honorably discharged and placed
on the retired list, temporary
disability retired list, transferred to
Fleet Reserve, or to Fleet Marine
Corps Reserve; or
 Be honorably discharged and released
for:
 Injury Existing Prior to Service (EPTS),
 Hardship (HDSP), or
 Condition Interfered with Service (CIWD).
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
Generally, individuals will remain eligible for
benefits for 15 years from:
 Date of last discharge from active duty service
of at least 90 continuous days.
If an individual establishes eligibility for the
Post-9/11 GI Bill by aggregating multiple
periods of active duty service of less than 90
days each, the individual will have 15 years
from the last period of service used to meet
the minimum service requirements for
eligibility.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill
Entitlement
Post-9/11 GI Bill Entitlement
Generally, entitlement provisions under the
Post-9/11 GI Bill are similar to those under other
education benefit programs:
 Individuals may receive up to 36 months of
benefits;
 If an individual’s entitlement exhausts during a
quarter or semester, benefits may be extended
until the end of the term (except for dependents
using TOE);
 Individuals eligible for more than one program
administered by VA are limited to 48 months of
benefits using a combination of programs.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Entitlement
EXCEPTION: Individuals transferring to the Post-9/11 GI
Bill from the Montgomery GI Bill (chapter 30) will be
limited to the amount of their remaining chapter 30
entitlement.
This provision applies when an individual:
 Is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill on the date of the
election; and
 Elects to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits in lieu of
MGIB-AD benefits.
NOTE: This provision does not prevent an individual who
is eligible for more than one benefit program from
receiving a maximum of 48 months of combined benefits.
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Transfer of Entitlement
Department of Defense Benefit
Administered by VA
Transfer of Entitlement
 To be approved to transfer member must—
– Be in Armed Forces on 8/1/09, and
– Have completed 6 years in the Armed Forces, and
– Agree to serve 4 more years
 Only the following entities may authorize transfer
of benefits—
– Secretary of Defense (when the Coast Guard is
operating as a service of the Navy)
– Secretaries of Army, Navy, or Air Force
– Secretary of Homeland Security (for Coast Guard)
– Secretary of the Public Health Service (PHS)
– Secretary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
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Transfer of Entitlement
 An individual approved to transfer may—
– Transfer up to 36 months of benefits (unless
DoD/DHS restricts number of months an
individual may transfer).
– Transfer to spouse, child, or children in any
amount up to amount transferor has available or
amount approved by DoD/DHS.
– Revoke or modify a transfer request for any
unused benefits unless the transferor’s 15-year
eligibility period is ended.
– Not transfer benefits to a new dependent once the
transferor is no longer a member of Armed Forces.
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Transfer of Entitlement
Spouses—
– May use after transferor completes 6 years in Armed
Forces
– Paid at transferor’s rate - Cannot be paid housing
allowance or books and supplies stipend if the transferor
is on active duty when the spouse is receiving benefits
– Can, unless the transferor revokes transfer, continue to
use benefits if divorced after the transfer
– Can use benefits up to transferor’s 15-year eligibility
period expires unless transferor specifies an earlier
ending date
– Under law, benefits are not marital property and are not
subject to division in a divorce or other civil proceedings
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Transfer of Entitlement
Children—
– Must be transferred to an unmarried child who has not
reached the age of 18 or, if in school, before child is 23 years
of age
– May use after transferor completes 10 years in Armed Forces
– To commence training, child must have–
• attained age 18; or
• completed requirements of secondary school diploma (or
equivalency certificate)
– Receives veteran rate, including housing allowance & book
stipend, even if transferor is on active duty
– May use until age 26 – even if transferor’s 15-year eligibility
period ended
– May continue to use benefits after marriage (unless
transferor revokes)
– Students with multiple TOE sources may not receive benefits
from multiple sources concurrently.
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Marine Gunnery Sergeant John
David Fry Scholarship
Public Law 111-32
MGS John David Fry Scholarship



Amends Post-9/11 GI Bill to include
the children of service members who
die in the line of duty after
09/10/2001.
Effective 08/01/2009
Tuition and Fees (maximum in-state
rates), monthly housing allowance and
books and supplies stipend.
MGS John David Fry Scholarship
Eligible children





Entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100%
level
15 years to use the benefit beginning on their
18th birthday
May use the benefit until their 33rd birthday
Cannot use the benefits before age 18
Are not eligible for the yellow ribbon program
Children must decide between using chapter 35 or chapter 33,
using VA Form 22-5490. Irrevocable decision.
Cannot receive Chapter 33 TOE and Fry concurrently.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Effective Date
August 1, 2009
Chapter 33 benefits can be paid for training
pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No
payments may be made for training pursued
before that date.
If the effective date or exhaustion date is in the
middle of a course, the benefits payable will be
prorated.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Approved Programs
 All programs approved under chapter 30 and offered at
an institution of higher learning (IHL). IHLs are degree
granting institutions. Effective 10/01/2011, programs
at NCDs, OJT/Apprenticeship, flight, and
correspondence are approved.
 Until 09/30/2011, individuals who were previously
eligible for chapter 30, 1606, or 1607 may continue to
receive benefits for approved programs not offered by
IHLs (flight*, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job
training, preparatory courses, and national tests)
– Individuals will be paid AS IF they are still receiving
benefits under chapter 30, 1606, or 1607
– No books and supplies stipend or housing allowance.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
 Tuition and Fees
 Monthly Housing Allowance
 Books and Supplies Stipend
 Kickers/College Fund/”Buy-Up”
 Yellow Ribbon Program
 Miscellaneous Payments
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Tuition and Fees

Established charges means the actual charge for tuition and
fees that similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the
program of education are required to pay for academic
purposes. (VA considers In-state tuition only)

Fees means any mandatory charges (other than tuition, room,
and board) that are applied by the institution of higher
learning for pursuit of an approved program of education.
The “Fee” must be:
1. mandatory for required class/program/graduation (not optional)
2. mandatory to purchase from school (not third party, not optional)
3. Listed, item specific, on student account ledger/bill, and the
4. published in catalog, handbook and/or tuition and fee schedule.
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Tuition and Fees
Fees that are not reportable:
 Application fee
 Housing Fee
 Beverage Fee
 Late Registration fee
 Deferred Payment Plan fee
 Returned Check Fee
 Transcript fee
 Withdrawal fee
 Study abroad or International fee
(unless required of the program to graduate,
semester of occurrence)
This list is not all-inclusive, when in doubt25ask ELR
Tuition and Fees
Schools Report What?
 Prior to 08/01/2011, Schools must report charged
tuition and fees for courses in an approved program,
and deduct any federal monies, excluding Title IV.
 For sessions that start on or after 08/01/2011, schools
must report actual net cost for tuition and fees.
(Public - both Out-of-State and In-state to be reported
separately).
The actual net cost is tuition and fees after the
application of any waiver, reduction, scholarship, aid,
or assistance [other than loans and funds provided
under section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act of
1965] for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Tuition and Fees (VA Pays What?)
U.S. IHL Public Schools: The actual net cost for
in-state tuition and fees after the application of any waiver,
reduction, scholarship, aid, or assistance [other than loans
and funds provided under section 401(b) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965] for the sole purpose of defraying tuition
and fees for the academic year beginning on August 1, 2011.
U.S. IHL Private and Foreign Schools: The lesser of the
actual net cost for tuition and fees after the application of
any waiver, reduction, scholarship, aid, or assistance [other
than loans and funds provided under section 401(b) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965] for the sole purpose of defraying
tuition and fees or $17,500 for the academic year beginning on
August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012. $18,077.50 beginning
August 1, 2012.
The amount of the yearly cap will be adjusted each year based upon a Cost
Of Living Allowance (COLA) and is subject to proration based upon
benefit level.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Tuition and Fees
U.S. NCD Schools: The actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees
after the application of any waiver, reduction, scholarship, aid, or
assistance [other than loans and funds provided under section
401(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965] for the sole purpose of
defraying tuition and fees or Private: $17,500 beginning on
October 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012. $18,077.50 for the
academic year beginning on August 1, 2012.
U.S. Flight Schools: The actual net cost for in-state tuition and
fees after the application of any waiver, reduction, scholarship,
aid, or assistance [other than loans and funds provided under
section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965] for the sole
purpose of defraying tuition and fees, or Private: $10,000
beginning on October 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012. $10,330.00
for the academic year beginning on August 1, 2012. Flight
payments issued after course completion.
The amount of the yearly cap will be adjusted each year based upon a
Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) and is subject to proration based upon
benefit level.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Tuition and Fees
 Individuals on active duty are eligible for the
lesser of:
– The actual net cost for tuition and fees after the
application of any waiver, reduction, scholarship,
aid, or assistance [other than loans and funds
provided under section 401(b) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965] for the sole purpose of
defraying tuition and fees.
T/F payment will be prorated based on VA service
tier % level.
Note: Tuition and Fees payments are paid directly to the school.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Monthly Housing Allowance
 Equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for
an E-5 with dependents.
 Amount determined by ZIP code of the School where the
student is enrolled (Student does not have to live in same
ZIP code)
– http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/bah.html
 Distance learning only: 50% of national average
 Prorated based on the percentage of the individual’s
payment tier (i.e.: 40% to 100%).
 Prorated based on rate of pursuit rounded to the nearest
10th.
 Active duty members or anyone training at ½ time or less
are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance.
Note: Housing allowance payments are paid directly to the eligible
person on a monthly basis. MHA rates adjust each August 1st.
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Post-9/11
GI Bill Benefits
Monthly Housing
Allowance
 Individual does not have be paying rent,
room and board, or mortgage to qualify
 If a husband and wife are each eligible
for chapter 33 and attending school more
than ½ time, then each of them may be
paid a separate monthly housing
allowance
 Three children living at home using
transferred benefits could also each
receive a monthly housing allowance
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Monthly Housing Allowance
2011 MHA Rates
Athens = $951.00
Covington = $1233.00
Crump = $918.00
Elizabethton = $930.00
Hartsville = $1185.00
Jacksboro = $918.00
Johnson City = $930.00
Livingston = $885.00
McMinnville = $933.00
Morristown = $984.00
Nashville = $1428.00
Oneida/Huntsville = $951.00
Pulaski = $885.00
Shelbyville = $933.00
Chattanooga = $1125.00
Crossville = $1002.00
Dickson = $1185.00
Harriman = $951.00
Hohenwald = $900.00
Jackson = $960.00
Knoxville = $1092.00
McKenzie = $900.00
Memphis = $1233.00
Murfreesboro = $1428.00
Newbern = $951.00
Paris = $885.00
Ripley = $885.00
Whiteville = $951.00
MHA rates adjust each August 1st.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Interval (Break) Payments
 As of August 1, 2011, eligibility to
interval (break) pay is restricted to
periods where a school is closed due to
an Executive order of the President or
due to an emergency situation.
 These payments are limited to 4 weeks in
any 12 month period.
 This applies to all VA education benefit
programs.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Books and Supplies Stipend
Students enrolled at IHL:
 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 individual
 Prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit
payable
 Active duty members are eligible for BSS if enrolled in a degree
program. (effective 10/01/2011)
Students enrolled at NCD:
Up to $83 for each month (prorated for partial months and benefit
level). (effective 10/01/2011)
Note: BSS payments are paid to student for each enrollment period 34
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Kickers/College Fund/”Buy-up”
 MGIB (ch30) or MGIB-SR (ch1606) kickers
– Paid monthly to student each enrollment period
based on rate of pursuit (effective 08/01/2011)
– Prorated based on rate of pursuit rounded to the
nearest tenth.
– Paid to spouses/children if they are using
transferred benefits
 New chapter 33 kicker
– Not available yet
– Will be paid with the monthly housing allowance
 $600 buy-up does not transfer to chapter 33
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Yellow Ribbon Program (IHL’s only)
 Only individuals entitled to the 100% benefit rate
(based on service requirements) may receive this
funding
– Spouses and children using transferred benefits from a
service member are also eligible for the Yellow Ribbon
Program (except Fry recipient dependents)
 IHLs may voluntarily enter into an agreement with
VA to fund the actual net cost for tuition and fees
after the application of any waiver, reduction,
scholarship, aid, or assistance [other than loans
and funds provided under section 401(b) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965] for the sole purpose
of defraying tuition and fees.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Yellow Ribbon Program (IHL’s only)
 VA will match each additional dollar that an IHL
contributes, up to 50% of the difference between
the student’s actual net cost for tuition and
fees.
 The combined amounts may not exceed the full
cost of the the student’s actual net cost for
tuition and fees.
 Yellow Ribbon payments will be issued to the
school on behalf of each student via EFT (or
paper check if EFT information is not available).
 SCO’s will place actual net cost in Tuition and
fees Block and then place total out-of-state
actual net cost for tuition and fees in the
remarks section.
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Yellow Ribbon Program (IHL’s only)
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
IHL must agree to:
 Select eligible students on a first-come-first-served basis;
 Provide contributions during current academic year and all
subsequent years if student maintains satisfactory progress;
 State maximum number of students for academic year;
 State how contributions will be made (grant, scholarship, or other);
 State yearly maximum dollar amount per student by specifying a
dollar amount for each:
– Student; or
– Undergraduate, graduate, and/or doctoral student; or
– Student enrolled in a specified college or professional school;
 Provide maximum amount payable to student each term (not to
exceed yearly maximum dollar amount for student).
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Parent/Supplemental Schools
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
 Parent/Supplemental School –
Individuals will be paid based on
enrollment at each school, even if in
different states:
– Tuition and fees paid to each school that
submits enrollment certification
– Monthly housing allowance paid based on
primary school or based on where resident
courses are being pursued
Must follow guidance in the SCO handbook, pages 58-60
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Miscellaneous Payments
 Licensing and Certification Tests
– Eligible individuals may be reimbursed for
multiple licensing or certification tests
– Test must be approved for VA benefits
– Test must be taken on or after August 1, 2009
– Entitlement charged will be charged for each
$1,460 paid (rounded to the nearest whole
month and amount adjusted each year)
NOTE: Payment issued directly to the student in a lump sum
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Miscellaneous Payments
 National Tests
– Eligible individuals may be reimbursed for multiple
national tests (e.g. SAT, GRE, LSAT, etc)
– Test must be approved for VA benefits
– Test must be taken on or after August 1, 20011
– Entitlement charged will be charged for each $1,460
paid (rounded to the nearest whole month and amount
adjusted each year)
NOTE: Payment issued directly to the student in a lump sum
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Miscellaneous Payments
 Rural Relocation Benefit
– One-time payment of $500 for individuals who
reside in a county with six or less persons per
square mile, if individual
• Physically relocates at least 500 miles, or
• Travels by air to attend school if no other
transportation exist
NOTE: Payments issued directly to the student in a lump sum
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Miscellaneous Payments
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
 Interval Payments: No longer effective
08/01/2011
 Extending payment to end of term:
– If individual exhausts entitlement during the
quarter or semester, we can pay to end of
the term, unless the individual exhausted
48 months of benefits.
– Spouses and children using transferred
entitlement are limited to 36 months of
entitlement; entitlement may not be
extended to end of term.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Miscellaneous Payments
 Work-Study:
– Individuals training at a rate of pursuit of at
least 75% may apply for work-study
 Tutorial Assistance:
– Individual’s training at a rate of pursuit of at
least 50% may receive tutorial assistance
– Amount payable cannot exceed $100 per month
– Total amount payable cannot exceed $1,200
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Post-9/11 GI Bill
Overpayment of Benefits
Overpayment of Benefits
 VA will determine the amount of an overpayment
for an individual in receipt of chapter 33 benefits
 An individual who does not complete one or
more courses in the certified period of
enrollment, and who does not substantiate
mitigating circumstances for not completing
such course(s), will be charged an overpayment
equal to the amount of ALL educational
assistance paid for such course(s) for that period
of enrollment (except for the books and supplies
stipend).
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Overpayment of Benefits
In the event a 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 because the student doesn’t complete a course
will be charged to the student.
Students with existing overpayments on their record may
attend school; however, their benefit payments (including
Tuition and Fees) may be applied to the overpayment until
it is repaid.
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Overpayment of Benefits
ONLY REASONS TO RETURN TO VA
Schools may return funds to VA—only in these seven instances:
- the student died during the term and would have been due a refund;
- the student never attended;
- the institution received a payment for an individual that is not a
student, or
- the institution received a duplicate payment for a student; or
- the student completely withdraws on or before the first
day of the term; or
- the school submitted an amended enrollment certification and reported
reduced tuition and fee charges, reduced Yellow Ribbon amount, or
reduced both; or
- VA issued payment above the amount certified on the enrollment
certification that was used to process the payment (VA data entry error).
Returned payments must include:
- Name of the Student (Full Legal Name)
- Social Security Number (Entire SSN Number)
- Date of the term to which you are retiring the funds
(With Month, Day, and Year; beginning and end date)
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Overpayment of Benefits
Electronically
Institutions may return tuition and fee payments
or Yellow Ribbon payments to VA by:
A. Returning the electronically received
Automated Clearinghouse (ACH)
payment using ACH return code R31.
Please note: Schools may only return a full
payment (exactly what received) to VA using the
R31 ACH return code.
--Continued
49
Overpayment of Benefits
Returning Government Check
Institutions may return tuition and fee payments
or Yellow Ribbon payments to VA by:
B. Returning the paper check to the:
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Financial Management Service
P.O. Box 51318
Philadelphia, PA 19115-6316
Note: Institutions should only return government
issued paper checks received for a student to the
Department of Treasury.
--Continued
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Overpayment of Benefits
School check being cut to send to VA
Institutions may return tuition and fee payments
or Yellow Ribbon payments to VA by:
Sending an institutional check :
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Debt Management Center
PO BOX 11930
St Paul, MN 55111
Note: when in doubt about where to refund the
overage, please contact your ELR.
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Overpayment of Benefits
 VA’s Debt Management Center (DMC) will send
notification of the overpayment to the student and
provide due process rights.
 In the notifications, the student will be informed of the
overpayment amount and how to contact VA’s Debt
Management Center to establish a repayment schedule.
 Overpayments are collected by the VA Debt Management
Center.
 Generally overpayments will be created when payments
have already gone to the school for a specific session. If
the VA is processing the original enrollment and
reduction/termination at the same time, the t/f
payments could be prorated instead of creating a
payment and a debt at the same time.
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Miscellaneous
Approval of programs: Degree programs offered at an accredited
public and private-not-for-private schools are deemed approved for
VA education benefits, no longer requires SAA approval.
Compliance: State Approving Agencies will now be used for
compliance and oversight.
Chapter 31: An individual eligible for chapter 33 who is receiving
benefits under chapter 31 (VR&E) may elect to receive the
applicable chapter 33 monthly housing Allowance in lieu of the
monthly subsistence allowance under chapter 31.
Reporting Fees: Reporting Fees are increasing from $7 to $11 per
student and from $12 to $15 for advance payments and must be
used solely for the purpose of making certifications otherwise
supporting programs for veterans.
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Very Important!!
In order to have a smooth implementation, as well as,
quick and accurate payments for Chapter 33,
Communication is the key.
Frequent and open communication with:
VA Student
School certifying official
Registrar’s office
Business Office
Bursar's Office
Education Liaison Liaison
Can you think of anyone else?
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References
GI Bill Website

www.gibill.va.gov
Updates, Regulations, Inquiry System (RNW)
Education Liaison Representative (ELR)

Melissa Cole, [email protected]
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