ISAC’s Military Programs and Other Student Veteran Topics

1. ISAC’s Military Programsand Other Student Veteran Topics February 2011 Illinois Student Assistance Commission

2. Federal News

3. U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) • Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) • The deadline to apply for RSLSP has been extended to March 4, 2011 • For more information: http://www.defense.gov/stoploss • Eligible service members must apply online via their specific service’s Web site • Those who do not have Internet access can print, complete and sign Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment

4. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) • Recently suspended some colleges and universities from being eligible to receive GI Bill and other education benefits after discovering questionable recruiting practices • Conducting interviews with student veterans who have received education benefits and asking questions about student experiences with recruitment practices • Voice of the Veteran customer satisfaction surveys are being conducted for all VA benefit programs • See U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s Web site for more info • www.durbin.senate.gov/showRelease.cfm?releaseId=331152

5. Yellow Ribbon for 2011 • VA will start accepting Yellow Ribbon Program Agreements for the 2011 - 12 academic year on February 23, 2011. • The agreement and detailed instructions will be available at www.va.gov • www.gibill.va.gov/school-certifying-officials/yellow-ribbon-agreement/ • The program enrollment season will last until May 23, 2011

6. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rates for 2010 • New BAH rates go into effect each Jan. 1 • For 2010, VA’s processing system wasn’t able to start phasing in new rates until September 1 • For veterans whose rate increased from 2009, the VA sent a one-time payment for the additional amount they were owed • The payment covered any increase due during the period Jan. 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010 and was direct-deposited into their accounts in early Sept.

7. BAH Rates for 2011 • DoD adjusted most housing rates for 2011 • If a veteran’s housing rate went up, he/she will see the increase in the February payment • Payments will update to the 2011 rates automatically • If a veteran’s housing rate decreased, he/she will continue to receive the higher 2010 rate unless he/she changes schools or has more than a 6-month break in school attendance

10. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 • Signed into law on January 4, 2011 • Streamlines and enhances the program • Gradual implementation

11. 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

12. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective March 5, 2011 • Limits active duty members to the net cost for tuition and fees prorated based on the eligibility tiers (40%-100%) previously established for Veterans • Same limitations apply to transferee spouses of active duty service members

13. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective August 1, 2011 • 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 • 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

14. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective August 1, 2011 • 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 • Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees • Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually

15. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective August 1, 2011 • 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) • A student training at a rate of pursuit of 75% would receive 80% of the BAH rate

16. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective August 1, 2011 • Break or interval pay is no longer payable under anyVA education benefit program unless under an Executive Order of the President or due to an emergency, such as a natural disaster or strike • 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.

17. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective August 1, 2011 • Allows reimbursement for more than one “license or certification” test (previously only one test was allowed). • 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)

18. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective August 1, 2011 • 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

19. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective October 1, 2011 • Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for • 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.

20. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective October 1, 2011 • Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for • 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.

21. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Effective October 1, 2011 • 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. • 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.

22. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Changes of particular interest to schools • 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

23. Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes • Changes of particular interest to schools • 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

24. www.gibill.va.gov/

26. State NewsISAC’s Military Programs

27. Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) • Veterans Cash • Illinois Lottery's first ticket where 100% of proceeds support Illinois Veterans • Ticket name is Stars and Stripes • Proceeds are deposited into an account to fund research and additional veteran services • Organizations that provide support and assistance to Illinois veterans can apply for a Veterans Cash grant

28. IDVA • Illinois Warrior Assistance Program • Provides free and confidential assistance for returning Illinois Veterans • Helps service members and their families deal with the challenges they may be facing as they transition back to their daily lives • Confidential phone line: 866-554-4927 • www.illinoiswarrior.com/

29. Other Illinois Programs for Student Veterans • MIA/POW Scholarship Program • Eligible dependents are entitled to full payment of tuition and certain fees to any state supported Illinois institution of higher learning for four years • Children of Veterans Scholarship • Each Illinois county can annually award one honorary scholarship at the University of Illinois for the benefit of children of veterans of WWI, WWII, Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict

30. Illinois Troops to Teachers • Helps eligible veterans with at least 6 years of honorable service transition to K-12 public school teaching • Two basic types of assistance • Referral/advisement assistance • Financial assistance • Individuals receiving financial assistance must agree to teach in a high-needs district or school for three years. • www.iltroops.org

31. iltroops.org

32. IDVA • Illinois Advisory on Military Education (ACME) • Purpose • to promote, support, and deliver meaningful education • to provide a forum for the discussion of current issues and planning for future programming • Next meeting in June • Contact Joan Ryan at IDVA for more info

33. ISAC’s Military Programs • Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program • Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program

34. IVG and ING • Entitlement programs • Awarded to all eligible applicants regardless of funding level • Specified by Illinois statute • 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

35. IVG and ING • Students receive 120 units of eligibility • Equivalent to four academic years of full-time enrollment • Units are based on the enrolled hours for a term:

36. IVG Eligibility Requirements • Served at least one year federal active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States • Includes the Illinois National Guard and Reserve component of the Armed Forces • If less than one year, veteran may qualify if: • 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

37. IVG Eligibility Requirements • Student must meet one of these: • 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: • 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

38. Applying for IVG • ISAC application available on collegezone.com and collegeillinois.org to download/print • 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

40. 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: • 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.

41. IVG Notification • Student receives Notice of Eligibility from ISAC • 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 • Eligibility information is refreshed every night • Can view eligibility status, number of units available and payment history for each eligible applicant

44. IVG Benefits • Pays tuition and mandatory fees • 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

45. IVG and Other Programs • Students eligible for IVG may also use the Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bills during the same academic year for eligible educational expenses. • Federal VA benefits are always considered “first payer” • 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.

46. 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: • September 15 – summer term • January 15 – first term • May 25 – second semester/second and third quarter • July 31 – all claims, including supplemental claims

47. IVG Payment Process • Submit payment claims, correct payment claims, and submit replacement claims/adjustments in My Zone • Edit/update capability restricted to the school originating the request • Offset process similar to MAP process

48. Claim History:View • Access by clicking on history icon on Payment List or School Claim List

49. Claim History: View • List is organized by school code on claim • Same information is available through “details” link on IVG Eligibility: View screen

50. 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