Transcript ISAC’s Military Programs and Other Student Veteran Topics

ISAC’s Military Programs
and Other Student
Veteran Topics
October 2011
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
ISAC’s Military Programs
 Illinois
Veteran Grant (IVG)
Program
 Illinois
National Guard (ING) Grant
Program
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IVG and ING

Entitlement programs
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Specified by Illinois statute
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Awarded to all eligible applicants regardless of
funding level
Chapter 110, Higher Education Student
Assistance Act
Assistance to be granted as long as federal
government provides educational benefits to veterans
Available at all four-year public universities and
public community colleges
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IVG and ING

Students receive 120 units of eligibility

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Equivalent to four academic years of full-time enrollment
Units are based on the enrolled hours for a term:
# of Hours
Semester School
Quarter School
12 or more
12 units
8 units
9 – 11.99
9 units
6 units
6 – 8.99
6 units
4 units
3 – 5.99
3 units
2 units
0 – 2.99
1 unit
1 unit
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IVG Eligibility Requirements

Served at least one year federal active duty in
the Armed Forces of the United States
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Includes the Illinois National Guard and Reserve
component of the Armed Forces
If less than one year, veteran may qualify if:
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Service was in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that
country
Separation was for medical reasons directly connected to
such service
Service was prior to August 11, 1967
Separation characterized as honorable

If still in the Armed Forces, veteran must verify
continued eligibility upon discharge
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IVG Eligibility Requirements

Student must meet one of these:
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was a resident of Illinois at the time of entering
federal active duty or within six months prior
was a student at an Illinois public university or
community college at the time of entering federal
active duty service
AND one of these:
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established or plans to establish Illinois residency
within six months after separation from the Armed
Forces
established Illinois residency within six months after
spouse was separated from military service
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Applying for IVG

ISAC application available on collegezone.com
and collegeillinois.org to download/print
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Can be submitted anytime during academic year
Only need to submit one time
Applicants must also submit a copy of their
Department of Defense Certificate of Release or
Discharge from Active Duty (DD214 Member 4 copy)
or its equivalent for all periods of active service
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Applying for IVG

An applicant who is a member of the Armed Forces
at the time of application must submit a letter from
the commanding officer indicating:
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that the applicant is a member of the Armed Forces
character of service
applicant’s home of record at the time of enlistment
length of time in each period of federal active duty
expiration date of current enlistment
The student will be subject to verification of continued
eligibility after each period of federal active duty
service.
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IVG Notification

Student receives Notice of Eligibility from ISAC

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Applicant must notify school of his/her eligibility no
later than the last day of classes for the term for
which the grant is requested
Schools can access eligibility data and IVG
benefit history in My Zone at collegezone.com

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Eligibility information is refreshed every night
Can view eligibility status, number of units available
and payment history for each eligible applicant
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IVG Benefits

Pays tuition and mandatory fees

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Grandfather clause for tuition and certain allowable
fees for students continuously enrolled since Spring
2005
Students attending out-of-district community colleges
receive in-district rates and are not responsible for the
difference
No minimum enrollment requirement
 Available to undergraduate and graduate students
 Academic year begins with summer term

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IVG Payment Process
Schools initiate the payment claim process
online via My Zone
 Available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 Deadline dates for submission of claims are:
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September 15 – summer term
January 15 – first term
May 25 – second semester/second and third quarter
July 31 – all claims, including supplemental claims
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FTP (Batch) Processing
Payment requests can also be submitted using
the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) process
 ISAC creates a directory for schools to submit
requests through FTP server
 Schools must password-encrypt the file with
WinZip before sending to ISAC
 File specifications are on College Zone
 Contact School Services to set your school up for
FTP processing and obtain an ID and password

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ING Grant Eligibility
Must have served at least one year with the
Illinois National Guard
 Must be in active status
 Available to any enlisted member or officer
 Must maintain an acceptable grade point average


As determined by the institution
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Applying for ING Grant
Interactive online application is accessible at
collegeillinois.org
 Students must reapply each year
 Deadlines dates:
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October 1 — full year consideration
March 1 — only second semester, second and/or third quarter
consideration
June 15 — only summer term consideration
Students will receive a confirmation page upon
completing the application
Applying for ING Grant

Involves certification from the Illinois Department
of Military Affairs, which verifies whether or not
each applicant:
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Is enlisted in the Illinois National Guard
Is on active duty status in the Illinois Army or Air
National Guard
Has served for at least one year

Date on which service or eligibility will end is also provided
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ING Grant Award Notification

Qualified student applicants receive a Notice of
Eligibility from ISAC
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Ineligible applicants also receive written notification
Schools receive eligibility information via My
Zone in College Zone
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Announcement rosters include eligibility dates,
number of units used, restrictions, etc.
Only the school listed on the student application
receives the information
Can be used to verify eligibility rather than requiring
the student’s Notice of Eligibility
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Denotes the last date that the
applicant is qualified to be paid.
Denotes the date from which
payment can start.
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ING Grant Benefits
No minimum enrollment requirement
 Academic year begins with fall term
 Pays “tuition and certain fees”
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Fees specifically included in statute:
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Registration
Graduation
General Activity
Matriculation
 Typically charged only to new students when they have been
both admitted and enrolled
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Term
Students are not responsible for out-of-district or
out-of-state tuition charges
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ING Grant Benefits

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Cannot be used for sectarian or denominational
instruction
Fees specifically not covered:
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Book rental
Laboratory and supply
Air flight
Hospital and health insurance
Room and board
Parking
Student union
Athletic
Proficiency or placement exam
Service
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ING Grant Benefits

A student who withdraws after a school’s refund
date can receive the grant for costs incurred up
to the term award.
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Eligibility units will be assessed in proportion to the
total dollars that are paid.
If any portion of tuition and fees were paid, at least
one eligibility unit will be charged to the recipient.
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ING Grant Benefits
If a recipient ceases to be an active member of
the Guard during a term, benefits cease and the
student is responsible for costs attributed to the
remainder of the term.
 If a recipient becomes eligible during a term,
benefits will be prorated for the remainder of the
term
 Proration calculation
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Total tuition cost divided by total instructional days =
cost per day x days of eligibility = total proration
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ING Grant Benefits

A student must repay any ING benefits
received if he/she does not fulfill his/her
National Guard enlistment

Benefits are repaid to the Illinois Department of
Military Affairs
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ING Grant & Other Programs

Illinois National Guard members who have been
called to federal active duty may also qualify for
the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG)

ING and IVG may be used at the same time
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Keep in mind that eligibility units will be charged to both
programs regardless of the dollar amount of benefits paid
ING or IVG must always be used before MAP
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ING Grant Payment Process

Payment process is completed online via My
Zone.
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Available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mon. – Sat.
Two profiles for school users
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View Only
View and Update
Payment Roster
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Prepopulated Fields:
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School name and code
Student name
SSN
Restrictions
Due date -- will be 30 calendar days following the
generation date of the roster by ISAC
Information will be grouped by term and
academic year
 Student information will be displayed in
ascending SSN order
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Payment Roster
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Mandatory Fields
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Optional/Non-Mandatory Fields
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In-district tuition
Total hours
Out-of-district tuition
Activity fee
Eligible fees
Comments
System will calculate value for Total Dollars Field
Sample Screen
Supplemental Rosters
Used to submit payment for eligible students not
appearing on payment roster.
 Could also be used for expenses not submitted
on initial payment roster.

Supplemental Rosters

Access from the Payment Roster screen
A new supplemental request may not be created if
one already exists that has not been submitted.
Supplemental Rosters
Once created, the Supplemental roster will be
date stamped and assigned a sequence number
 The Due Date will be prepopulated, based on the
date that the payment roster was generated
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45 days after roster date for Fall and Spring term
30 days after roster date for Summer term
Sample Screen
Sample Screen
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Illinois Department of Veterans’
Affairs (IDVA)
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IDVA
Helping Our Hometown Heroes
 Illinois Military Family Relief Fund
 Illinois Warrior Assistance Program
 MIA/POW Scholarship Program
 Children of Veterans Scholarship
 Illinois Troops to Teachers
 Illinois Advisory on Military Education (ACME)
 Illinois Warrior Assistance Program
 Veterans Cash (Lottery Ticket)
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Veterans Cash Grant
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Helping Our
Hometown Heroes
Federal Programs
Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance
Improvements Act of 2010
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Signed into law on January 4, 2011
Gradual implementation
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

Effective August 1, 2009, but not payable until
October 1, 2011

Expands the Post-9/11 GI Bill to include Active
Service performed by National Guard members under
title 32 U.S.C. for the purpose of organizing,
administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the
National Guard; or under section 502(f) for the
purpose of responding to a national emergency
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Effective August 1, 2011
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For Veterans and their transferees - simplifies the
tuition and fee rates for those attending a public
school and creates a national maximum for those
enrolled in a private or foreign school
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Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees
Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500
annually
The Yellow Ribbon Program still exists for out-of-state fees
and costs above the cap
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

Effective August 1, 2011
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For Active Duty Members and their transferees creates a national rate for those active duty members
enrolled in a private or foreign school pursuing a
degree
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Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees
Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500
annually
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Effective August 1, 2011
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Allows VA to pay MGIB (Chapter 30) and MGIB-SR
(Chapter 1606) “kickers,” or college fund payments,
on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum at the
beginning of the term
Prorates housing allowance by the student’s rate of
pursuit (rounded to the nearest tenth)
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A student training at a rate of pursuit of 75% would receive
80% of the BAH rate
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Effective August 1, 2011
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Allows reimbursement for more than one “license or
certification” test (previously only one test was allowed).
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However, entitlement is now charged
Allows reimbursement of fees paid to take national
exams used for admission to an institution of higher
learning (e.g., SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT)
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Effective August 1, 2011
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Allows those who are eligible for both Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31) benefits
and Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits to choose
the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s monthly housing allowance
instead of the chapter 31 subsistence allowance.
NOAA and PHS personnel are now eligible to transfer
their entitlement to eligible dependents
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Effective October 1, 2011
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Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for
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Non-college degree (NCD) programs: Pays actual net cost
for in-State tuition and fees at public NCD institutions. At
private and foreign institutions, pays the actual net costs for
in-state tuition and fees or $17,500, whichever is less. Also
pays up to $83 per month for books and supplies.
On-the-job and apprenticeship training: Pays a monthly
benefit amount prorated based on time in program and up to
$83 per month for books and supplies.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Effective October 1, 2011
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Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for
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Flight programs: Per academic year, pays the actual net
costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or
$10,000, whichever is less.
Correspondence training: Per academic year, pays the
actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the
school or $8,500, whichever is less.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Effective October 1, 2011
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Housing allowance is payable to students (other than
those on active duty) enrolled solely in distance
learning. The housing allowance payable is equal to
½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with
dependents.
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The full-time rate for an individual eligible at the 100%
eligibility tier would be $673.50 for 2011.
Allows students on active duty to receive a books and
supplies stipend.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Changes of particular interest to schools
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Reporting fees paid to schools increases from $7 to
$12 and $11 to $15 per student per year
Requires that reporting fees only be used for the
purpose of certification
Standard college degree programs offered at
accredited public and private-not-for-profit schools are
deemed already approved for VA Education Benefits
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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes
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Changes of particular interest to schools
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Non-college degree programs, on-the-job training, and
flight training programs are now covered (effective
October 1, 2011)
Allows the VA to use State Approving Agencies (SAAs)
for compliance and oversight duties
Allows VA to disapprove courses
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Other GI Bill Changes
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Effective August 1, 2011
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Break or interval pay is no longer payable under any
VA education benefit program unless under an Executive
Order of the President or due to an emergency, such as
a natural disaster or strike
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This means that when the semester ends (e.g. December 15th),
the housing allowance is paid for the first 15 days of December
only and begins again when the next semester begins (e.g.
January 10th) and is paid for the remaining days of January.
Students using other VA education programs are included in this
change. Monthly benefits will be pro-rated in the same manner.
Entitlement that previously would have been used for break pay
will be available for use during a future enrollment.
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Other News

The U.S. Marine Corps has cut tuition assistance
for its service members by 80 percent, reducing
the maximum benefit from $4,500 a year to $875
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The new rules took effect October 1, 2011
Keith Wilson is leaving his post as the
Department of Veterans Affairs’ education service
director to head a regional office.
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A replacement has not yet been named, but the VA
has said that he will not leave until a replacement has
been found.
Using State and Federal Benefits
Together
Students eligible for IVG may also use the
Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bills during the
same academic year for eligible educational
expenses.
 Students eligible for MAP and IVG must use
IVG benefits instead of MAP
 Students eligible for IVG and ING Grant can
choose which program they’d like to use.
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Discussion Items
 Current
student veteran issues
 Post-9/11 GI Bill changes
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Impact on veterans
Impact on schools
 Recommendations
 Other
suggestions
for improvement
Contact Information

School Services, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST

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
Phone: 866-247-2172
E-mail: [email protected]
Kim Eck, Training Services
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Phone: 217-785-7139
E-mail: [email protected]
Questions/Comments?
Thank you for
participating today!
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