Jill Rayner

1
21st Century GI Bill and HEOA

• Jill Rayner
• Director
• North Georgia College
• State University

2
Chapter 33 21st Century

• On Monday, June 30, 2008 President Bush signed
  into law landmark legislation introduced by
  Senator Jim Webb (D-Va) to provide post- 9/11
  veterans with comprehensive educational benefits.

3
21st Century GI Bill

• The VA refers to Chapter 33 as the Post 9/11 GI
  Bill
• Starts for training on or after August 1, 2009
• Will not cover any training previous to that date

4
Who is eligible?

• Minimum served at least 30 days of continuous
  active duty service after September 10, 2001 and
  be discharged die to service connected disability
  or
• Served an aggregated of 90 days of active duty
  service after September 10, 2001
• AND

5
Who is eligible?

• Be honorably discharged from Armed Forces or
• Be released from Armed Forces with service
  characterized as honorable and placed on the
  retired list, temporary disability retired list
  or transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet
  Marine Corps Reserve or,
• Be released from the Armed Forces with service
  characterized as honorable for further service in
  reserve component, or

6
Who is eligible? (cont)

• Be discharged or released from Armed Forces for
• EPTS(Existed Prior to service
• HDSP (Hardship) or
• CIWD (Condition Interfered with Duty)
• Continue to be on active duty

7
Who is not eligible?

• Service which cannot be used to establish
  eligibility includes
• Service academy contract periods
• ROTC contract periods under Title 10
• Service used under the Loan Repayment
  Program

8
Maintain Eligibility

• In order to retain eligibility after meeting the
  service requirements, an individual must
• Continue on active duty
• Be honorably discharged from Armed Forces
• Be honorably discharged and placed on the retired
  list
• Be honorably discharged for further service in a
  reserve component
• Be discharged or released for
• Injury existing prior to service
• Hardship
• Condition Interfered with service

9
Period of Eligibility

• 15 years from last release of active duty of at
  least
• 90 consecutive days
• 30 consecutive days if released for disability
• If eligibility is based on aggregate service of
  less than 90 consecutive days, individual will
  have 15 years from the last period of service
  used to meet the minimum service requirements for
  eligiblity.

10
Elections

• Individuals eligible for one of the following
  benefits may be required to make an irrevocable
  election to receive benefits under the Post 9/11
  GI Bill
• Chapter 30
• Chapter 1606
• Chapter 1607

11
Elections

• Individuals who establish eligibility for the
  Post 9/11 GI Bill must make an irrevocable
  election if, as of August 1, 2009, they are
• Eligible for either Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607
• A member of the Armed forces who previously
  declined to elect Chapter 30
• Reported on the revised VA form

12
Elections

• Individuals should carefully consider their
  education goals before applying and electing
  benefits under the Post 9/11 GI bill
• VA can provide general benefits comparison
  information, however, an individuals unique
  circumstances must also be considered
• Benefit comparison information is available at
  www.gibill.va.gov

13
Elections

• There are several factors individuals should
  consider, including, but not limited to
• Eligibility for other VA benefits
• Benefit Level
• Rate of Pursuit
• Other Financial Assistance

14
Elections

• Individuals who elect to receive Post 9/11GI Bill
  benefits in lieu of MGI Bill benefits are limited
  to their remaining entitlement
• The 600 Buy-up is not payable under the Post
  9/11 GI Bill

15
Elections - Example

• Example
• Mickey Mouse served on active duty from July 15,
  1999, to July 14, 2002, and received an honorable
  discharge, He used 34 of 36 months of MGIB
  benefits. His active duty service from Sept 11,
  2001, to July 14, 2002, also establishes his
  eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
• He plans to enroll for the Fall 2009 term and is
  considering electing benefits under the Post 9/11
  GI Bill.
• What impact will this have on his eligibility?

16
Elections - Example

• UGH!!!!!

17
Chapter 33 Post 9/11

• Entitle to a percentage as determined by the
  length of active duty service of the following
• Amount of tuition and fees charged, not to exceed
  the most expensive in-state public institution of
  higher education (paid to school)
• Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic
  allowance for housing (BAH) amount payable to a
  military E-5 with dependents, in same zip code as
  school (paid to student)
• Yearly book and supplies stipend of up to 1000
  per year (paid to student)

18
Chapter 33 21st Century

• Individuals must serve an aggreated period of
  active duty after September 10, 2001 of

19
Benefits

• Tuition and Fees
• Yellow Ribbon Program
• Monthly Housing Allowance
• Books and Supplies Stipend
• Rural Benefit
• College Fund kickers and Buy-up
• Licensing and Certification Tests
• Other Benefits

20
Tuition and Fees

• Individuals on active duty are eligible for the
  lesser of
• Tuition and Fees charged or
• The amount of the charges that exceed the amount
  paid by the militarys federal tuition assistance
• Individual not on active duty are eligible for
  the applicable percentage of the lesser
• Tuition and fees charged or
• Highest amount of tuition and fees charged for
  instate undergraduate training at a public
  institution of higher learning in the state the
  student is enrolled

21
Tuition and Fees

• Fees are defined as 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 and include, but
  are not limited to
• Health premiums
• Freshman fees
• Graduation Fees
• Lab fees
• Does not include study aboard courses unless the
  course is a mandatory requirement for completion
  of the approved program of education

22
Tuition and Fees

• Tuition and fee payments will be issued to the
  school on behalf of the student via EFT
• If EFT is unavailable, then to the school mailing
  address.
• Payments include student identification
  information and what term the payment covers.

23
Chapter 33 21st Century

• Tuition and Fees
• Can be used for graduate school but based on the
  highest in-state public tuition rate
• GA - 433.58
• GA Fees up to 11,215

24
Chapter 33 21st Century

• Example
• Tuition and Fees charged for full time 6700
• Highest In-state Tuition and Fees 7000
• Example 1 Mickey served three years on active
  duty and separated, and Mickey is going to school
  full time, he would be eligible for 6700 for
  tuition and fees, the monthly housing allowance,
  and 1000 for books and supplies.

25
What if HOPE eligible

• Tuition is completely covered eligible for 100
  then HOPE pays nothing for tuition
• Example Tuition is 130 per credit hour max
  is 433.58
• All tuition is covered by GI BILL
• No HOPE awarded for Tuition
• Fees NGCSU Fees are 581 max is 15215
• All fees are covered by GI Bill
• No HOPE awarded for Fees
• Student is eligible for the 150 in Books

26
What is HOPE paying

• Tuition Rate is 500 per semester hour (12 hrs)
  6000
• (Private school)
• Student eligible at 100 Rate 433.38
• GI bill pays 5201 (433.38 x 12)
• HOPE pays 799 out of 1500
• Fees - 3000 GI Bill pays all. HOPE pays no
  fees
• Books - 150 HOPE pays

27
Chapter 33 21st Century

• Example 2 If you aggreated 12 months of active
  duty service in the guard or reserves, and were
  going to school full time, you would be eligible
  for
• 4020 (60 of 6700) for tuition
• 1200 (60 of 2000) for fees
• 600 (60 of 1000)for books and supplies stipend
• And 60 of the monthly housing allowance.

28
HOPE Pays

• Rate 60 - 6700 60 4020 (Private School)
• GI Bill pays 4020 Hope pays 1500
• Fees 1200 (60 of 2000)
• GI Bill pay all
• HOPE books allowance of 150

29
Chapter 33 21st Century

• Based on NGCSU student 36 months
• COA - 14900
• EFC 1800
• Unmet need 13,100
• Pell Grant - 2000
• Tuition and Fees 4040

• Housing Allowance
• 9576 (1064 x 9)
• Book Stipend 1000
• Total 16616
• Remember- GI bill does not count towards COA
• Student eligible for additional aid

30
Yellow Ribbon Program

• Institutions within the US 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.
• Provides additional funding fro
• Training at Private institutions
• Graduate training
• Out of state tuition
• Only individuals entitled to the 100 benefit
  rate may receive this funding

31
Yellow Ribbon Program

• VA will match each additional dollar that an
  institution contributes, up to 50 of the
  difference between the students tuition and fee
  benefit and total cost of tuition and fees
• The combined amounts may not exceed the full cost
  of the schools established charges
• Yellow Ribbon Program payments will be issued to
  the school on behalf of the each student

32
Yellow Ribbon Example

• MBA program Graduate rate 450 per semester
  hour
• GA Rate - 433.58
• Difference 16.42
• School pays 8.21 per semester hour
• VA pays 8.21 per semester hour
• 9 hours - 73.89

33
Monthly Housing Allowance

• Equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing for
  an E-5 with dependents
• Amount determined by zip code of School
• Prorated based on individuals benefit level
• Payments issued directly to the student on a
  monthly basis
• Individuals are not eligible for the monthly
  housing allowance if they are
• On active duty
• Training at ½ time or less
• Pursuing training solely by distance learning

34
Chapter 33 21st Century

• Housing Allowance Based on Zip Code- E5 with
  Dependents
• Examples
• Dahlonega, GA 1064
• A link to the 2009 BAH rates
• http//usmilitary.about.com/od/housingallowance/a/
  09bahewdga.htm

35
Books and Supplies Stipend

• Up to 1000 per academic year calculated as
  follows
• 41.67 per credit hour for up to 24 credit hours
• Prorated based on the percentage of the maximum
  benefits payable
• Payments issued directly to the student in a lump
  sum
• Active duty members are not eligible

36
Rural Benefit

• One time payment of 500 for individuals who
  reside in a county with six persons or fewer per
  square mile

37
College Fund Kickers and Buy Up

• Individuals eligible for a kicker under another
  benefit may receive the kicker
• Monthly kicker amount will be prorated based on
  the individuals rate of pursuit
• Payment issued in a lump sum directly to the
  student
• 600 Buy up is not payable under the Post 9/11 GI
  bill

38
Licensing and Certification Tests

• Eligible individuals may be reimbursed for ONE
  licensing or certification test
• Test must be approved for VA benefits
• Test must be taken on or after August 1, 2009
• Reimbursement may not exceed 2000

39
Other Benefits and Payments

• Interval Payments
• Payment of the monthly housing allowance may be
  authorized during the intervals
• Work study
• Individuals training at a rate of pursuit of at
  least 75 may receive work-study
• Tutorial Assistance
• Individuals training at a rate of pursuit of a
  least 50
• Amount payable cannot exceed 100 per month

40
Transfer of Entitlement

• An individual eligible for the Post 9/11 GI bill
  based on their active duty service may transfer
  up to 36 months of entitlement to a dependent(s)
• To be eligible to transfer entitlement an
  individual must
• Be in the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009
• Have completed 6 years in the Armed Forces
• Agree to serve 4 more years in the Armed Forces

41
Reporting Procedures

• Modifications have been made to the VA Once
  system.
• The payment roster has a T next to the Chapter
  number showing tuition.

42
HEOA

• The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law
  110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008,
  and reauthorizes the Higher Education Act of
  1965, as amended (the HEA)

43
Military Personnel and Veterans Higher Education
ActProvisions Amended by P.L. 110-315

• Sec. 131 Improved Availability and Coordination
  of Information Concerning Student Financial Aid
  Programs for Military Members and Veterans
• The web site must be operative within one year of
  8/14/08 and its availability made widely known.

44
Military Personnel and Veterans Higher Education
ActProvisions Amended by P.L. 110-315

• Sec. 135 In-state Tuition rates for Armed Forces
  members, spouses and dependent children at Public
  Institutions
• A state may not charge tuition at rates higher
  than instate charges for
• Members of the Armed Forces on active duty for
  more than thirty days, whose domicile or
  permanent duty station is in the state

45
Military Personnel and Veterans Higher Education
ActProvisions Amended by P.L. 110-315

• Spouses and dependent children of service members
  described on previous slide
• Service members and their spouses and children
  who were paying in-state rates as described
  above, but have since experienced a change in
  permanent duty station.
• Effective for periods of enrollment that begin on
  or after 7/1/09

46
Title IV Part A, Sec 401 Federal Pell Grants

• A students EFC for Pell Grant purposes is set to
  zero if
• The students parent or guardian was a member of
  the Armed Forces who died as a result of
  performing military service in Iraq or
  Afghanistan after September 11, 2001
• The student was under the age of 24 or enrolled
  at an institution of higher education a the time
  of the death
• The Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs
  are to provide the Department of Education with
  the information necessary to determine which
  students qualify.
• Effective 7/1/09

47
Parts B, D E FFEL, Direct Loan, and Perkins
Loan Programs

• Title IV loans will be discharged on the basis of
  a finding by the Department of Veterans Affairs
  that a borrower is unemployable due to
  service-connected condition.
• Effective 7/1/08 for Federal Perkins Loans
• Effective 7/1/10 for FFEL and Direct Loans

48
Parts B, D E FFEL, Direct Loan, and Perkins
Loan Programs

• Interest rate provisions are amended as follows
• Interest rate limitations, under the Service
  members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) apply to FFEL
  Program loans.
• SCRA caps interest rates at 6 for active duty
  service members.

49
Part D Direct Loan Program

• Interest does not accrue for up to 5 years on
  Direct loans
• That were first disbursed on or after 10/1/08
• During periods the borrower is an eligible
  military borrower, i.e. is
• During a war or other military operation of
  national emergency, serving on active duty or
  performing qualifying National Guard duty and
• Serving in an area of hostilities in which
  service qualifies for special pay under 37 USC 310

50
Part E Federal Perkins Loan

• Perkins Loan borrowers no longer need to request
  forbearance in writing, provided the agreed upon
  terms of forbearance are documented by both
• Confirming the agreement of the borrower by
  notice to the borrower from the institution of
  higher education
• Recording the terms in the borrowers file
• Effective 8/14/08

51
Part F Need Analysis

• Cost of Attendance
• Exclude housing from cost of attendance for
  military personnel who live in base housing or
  receive a military basic allowance
• Effective 7/1/10

52
Part F Need Analysis

• Total Income
• Veteran Education Benefits may not be considered
  income or assets in the calculation of expected
  family contribution (EFC)
• Effective 7/1/10

53
Part F Need Analysis

• Untaxed income or benefits
• Excludes the value of military housing or a
  military housing allowance from consideration in
  the need analysis formula
• Effective 7/1/10

54
Part F Need Analysis

• Estimated financial assistance
• Excludes veterans education benefits from being
  counted as available financial assistance when
  determining eligibility for federal student
  financial aid
• This same exclusion is made to the definition of
  estimated financial assistance for subsidized
  Stafford loans under Part B
• Effective 7/1/10

55
Part G General Provisions Relating to Student
Assistance Readmission Requirements for Service
Members (new 484c)

• Institutions are prohibited from having
  readmission policies that discriminate on the
  basis of a students active duty service in the
  Armed Forces (whether voluntary or involuntary,
  and including National Guard or Reserves members).

56
Part G General Provisions Relating to Student
Assistance Readmission Requirements for Service
Members (new 484c)

• A student who had to leave an institution because
  of active duty service for more than 30 days is
  entitled to readmission with the same academic
  status if all of the following criteria are met
• The student (or an appropriate officer of the
  Armed Forces or official of the Department of
  Defense) gives advance written or verbal notice
  of that service to the appropriate institutional
  official.
• Unless notice is precluded for security reasons
  by the nature of the service waived if student
  submits upon seeking readmissions that he or she
  performed that necessitated his or her absence

57
Part G General Provisions Relating to Student
Assistance Readmission Requirements for Service
Members (new 484c)

• The documented cumulative length of all such
  absences from the institution does not exceed
  five years, with certain exceptions
• The student submits a notification of intent to
  reenroll in the institution of higher education
  within
• Three years after completion of the period of
  service or
• Two years after recovery from an illness or
  injury incurred in or aggravated during the
  performance of service

58
Part G General Provisions Relating to Student
Assistance Readmission Requirements for Service
Members (new 484c)

• A student who applies for readmission after the
  period of entitlement lapses is subject to normal
  institutional leave of absence policy and general
  practices
• The students documented separation was not
  dishonorable
• An institution may not delay or attempt to avoid
  readmitting a student by demanding documentation
  that does not exist, or is not readily available,
  at the time of readmission.
• Effective 8/14/08

59
Items to Ponder

• How will your business office handle the new
  Chapter 33 payments?
• How will you know which students are getting
  housing subsidized to not give a housing
  allowance in the Budget?
• Will GI Bill benefits count for state aid in
  2010?
• The new 0910 FAFSA does not ask the question how
  much are you receiving in GI bill? How will you
  know? It ask what chapter you are?
• If a program has limited seats, how do handle a
  soldier returning? Do you need to change your
  current policy?
• Do you now feel the need to leave the room
  screaming?

60
Questions?

• Jill Rayner
• jprayner_at_ngcsu.edu
• 706-864-1688