Transcript GI Bill Basics: Kickers? DD214?

GI Bill Basics: Kickers?
DD214? Chapter 30?
Presenter: Heather Willett
Director of Financial Aid and VA Certifying Official
Sandhills Community College
What is the GI Bill and where did it
come from?
The GI Bill (the generic term comprising various education
assistance programs administered by the Department of
Veterans Affairs) provides benefits to veterans,
servicemembers, and some dependents of disabled or
deceased veterans wishing to pursue an education.
The Servicemembers' Readjustment Act of 1944,
commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights, was created
with the intent to provide veterans access to education,
training, and loan guaranty. The bill has gone through
several revisions, with the most recent revision taking
place this year (2008).
GI Bill Education Programs
• The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education
benefits. This benefit may be used for approved degree and
certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher
courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your
release from active duty. This program is also commonly
known as Chapter 30.
The Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The MGIB-SR program may be available to members of the
Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army
Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps
Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National
Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used
for approved degree and certificate programs. This program
is also commonly known as Chapter 1606.
GI Bill Education Programs (cont.)
• Survivors‘ & Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
Provides education and training opportunities to eligible
dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled
due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active
duty or a result of a service related condition. The program offers
up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be
used for approved degree and certificate programs. This
program is commonly known as Chapter 35 or DEA.
• Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)
REAP provides education assistance to members of a reserve
component who serves on active duty on or after September 11,
2001 under title 10 U.S. Code for a contingency operation and
who serves at least 90 consecutive days. National Guard
members also are eligible if their active duty service meets
certain criteria. This program is also commonly known as Chapter
1607.
GI Bill Education Programs (cont.)
• VA Vocational Rehabilitation
Provides training towards successful rehabilitation and
suitable employment to disabled veterans.
• Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
VEAP may be available to those veterans who entered
duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and
elected to make contributions to participate in this
education benefit program. Contributions are matched
on a $2 for $1 basis.
• National Call to Service
The National Call to Service Incentive program requires
a participant to perform a period of national service to be
eligible for benefits. It is a Department of Defense
program that is administered by VA.
Application and Payment
• Veteran or dependent can apply online using VONAPP
system (www.gibill.va.gov)
• Receives a Certificate of Eligibility detailing eligibility
criteria This certificate tells the student what Chapter he
or she is eligible for, how many months, and the final
date they can use their benefit
• If a student changes schools, they do not need to reapply for their benefit. They only have to inform the VA
by completing a Change of Program/Place of Training
form either online or with the appropriate office at their
new school
Application and Payment (cont.)
• Payment is made to the student based on term length
and credit hours in approved program of study
• Student will receive award letter from VA with the
monthly award amount after the enrollment certification
is processed
• The most current payment rates can be accessed online
at www.gibill.va.gov.
• Amount of payment may be increased due to:
–
–
–
–
Kicker
Buy-up
Active duty status
Number of dependents
What is the schools’ responsibility
to the VA and the Student?
It is the VA Certifying Officials’ job to:
1) Certify that the student has meet all admissions
requirements;
2) Inform the VA each semester of what class credits the
student is taking towards their approved major, and
3) Inform the VA promptly if there are any changes in the
classes or credit hours.
This information is used by the VA to determine enrollment
status and their rate of monthly pay.
We are required to report any changes in hours within
30 days of the last day a student attended the class.
What is the NC State Approving Agency?
The NC State Approving Agency supervises NC educational
institutions for compliance with federal and state guidelines
and approves educational courses/programs to be pursued
by veterans and eligible persons.
• Notice of Program Approval--Schools must complete and
receive a Program Approval annually from the NC SAA.
This approval specifies the programs, policies, and
facilities that are approved and excluded for the enrollment
of veterans, military and other eligible persons.
• Annual compliance visit--NC SAA visits and inspects each
active educational institution annually and provides written
reports to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and
the state of North Carolina
New GI Bill—Chapter 33
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new benefit providing educational
assistance to veterans with active duty service on or
after Sept. 11 2001. The new bill provides enhanced
educational benefits that cover more educational
expenses, provide a living allowance, money for books
and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to
spouses or children.
Benefits for the new bill are payable for training beginning
on or after August 1, 2009. Students eligible for both
Chapter 33 and Chapter 30 must elect which bill to
utilize. Eligible veterans generally have 15 years from
their last period of active duty to use the new benefit.
New GI Bill (cont.)
• Eligibility for the new GI Bill:
– Must have served at least 30 days of continuous
active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and be
discharged due to a service-connected disability, or
– Served aggregate of 90 days of active duty service
after Sept. 10, 2001, and be honorably discharged
from the service
– Be honorably released from the Armed Forces with
certain specific conditions
– Can receive up to 36 months of benefits under the
new Bill
New GI Bill (cont.)
• How much can a student receive under the New GI Bill?
– Students are entitled to a percentage based on their length of
active duty service:
Member Serves
Maximum benefit payable
– At least 36 mos.
100%
– At least 30 continuous days
on active duty and discharged
100%
due to service-connected disability
– At least 30 mos. but less than 36 mos.
90%
– At least 24 mos. but less than 30 mos.
80%
– At least 18 mos. but less than 24 mos.
70%
– At least 12 mos. but less than 18 mos.
60%
– At least 6 mos. but less than 12 mos.
50%
– At least 90 days but less than 6 mos.
40%
New GI Bill (cont.)
– Payment details:
• Amount of tuition/fees charged not to exceed the highest cost
of In-State public institution undergraduate tuition amount
(paid to the school);
• Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for
housing (BAH) for E-5 level, with dependents. The zip code
of the school determines the monthly amount (paid to the
student); and
• Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year
(paid to the student)
• Students transferring from highly rural areas may also
receive a one-time payment of $500 for relocation costs.
• Important pay note: Housing allowance and book/supplies
stipend are not payable for students on active duty status or
students who are half-time or less, or those taking distance
education classes.
Websites and Contacts
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VA Education Service—www.gibill.va.gov
VA Benefits Administration home page—www.vba.va.gov
VA Phone center: 1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551)
NC SAA: Phone--919-733-7535, website-www.northcarolina.edu/content.php/affiliates/NCSAA
• NC Association of Coordinators of Veterans Affairs:
website—www.ncacva.org
• VA-Once: online system available to school certifying
officials for certification of enrollment—
https://vaonce.vba.va.gov
Upcoming VA Conferences
• Atlanta RPO Conference
March 31-April 3, 2009
Crowne Plaza Ravinia, Atlanta, GA
For more information and registration
information, please visit the NCACVA
website at www.ncacva.org