Military Programs and Initiatives

1. Military Programs and Initiatives Illinois State Approving Agency Change in Approval Process for Public and Non-Profit IHLs with NCD Programs VRAP New Compliance Standards for Principles of Excellence Schools Centralized Online Complaint System GI Bill Comparison Tool Yellow Ribbon Program Agreements IJF Education Working Group: Military Articulations Subgroup IVG and Post 9/11 GI Bill

2. Illinois State Approving Agency Protecting the integrity of the GI Bill for 70 years Approve programs of education and training Colleges and Universities Vocational Schools Apprenticeship Programs On-the-Job Training Programs Flight Schools High Schools Licensing and Certification Exams Conduct compliance surveys Provide technical assistance (training) to education and training facilities Outreach services to veterans

3. Illinois State Approving Agency Central Office in Springfield (Dan Wellman and Melissa Cushman) Bloomington Office (Kent Ketter) Wheaton Office (Andrew Pieper) Chicago Office (Tiffany Perry and Enrique Cabrera)

4. Change in Approval Process for Public and Non-Profit IHLs with NCD Programs Change in Approval Process for Institutions of Higher Learning with Deemed Approved Degree Programs (effective October 1, 2013) The State Approving Agency must review for approval all non-college degree programs at institutions of higher learning with deemed approved degree programs. The Illinois State Approving Agency has completed policy reviews and approvals for 85 out of 99 institutions of higher learning that meet this criteria.

5. VRAP VRAP ended March 31, 2014 VA accepted enrollment certifications for this program through March 17, 2014 VA will issue a one-time payment for students enrolled in a training program for training completed from April 1 through the end of the term, but no later than June 30, 2014. No payments will be made for enrollment periods that begin after March 31 or for training completed after June 30. The payment is limited to each veteran’s remaining VRAP entitlement and only to the end of the veteran’s current enrollment period. School officials must continue to review enrollments and report changes to enrollment periods certified to VA.

6. Principles of Excellence Executive Order 13607 (April 27, 2012) New Compliance Standards Did the school provide a “Financial Aid Shopping Sheet?” Did the school inform, and does it have policies to alert students to the availability of Federal financial aid prior to arranging other financing? Does the school use fraudulent and unduly aggressive recruiting? Has the school obtained the approval of its accrediting agency for new course offerings prior to enrolling students in such courses or programs where appropriate? Are service members and reservists readmitted to programs if they are temporarily unable to attend class or have to suspend their studies due to service requirements and accommodations made for short absences due to service obligations?

7. Principles of ExcellenceExecutive Order 13607 (April 27, 2012) New Compliance Standards (continued) Does the school have a refund policy that is aligned with the refund of unearned student aid rules applicable to federal student aid provided through the Department of Education under Title IV? Does the school provide detailed educational plans outlining graduation requirements? Does the school have a point of contact for academic and financial advising to assist service members and veterans students and their families?

8. Principles of ExcellenceExecutive Order 13607 (April 27, 2012) The VA launched a Centralized Online Complaint System in January 2014. Designed to empower students and their families, ensuring they have the best information needed to make the most informed educational choices, while holding institutions of higher learning to the highest standards. Allows veterans, service members and eligible dependents to report negative experiences with education institutions Provides the federal government the information needed to identify and address unfair, deceptive and misleading practices to ensure high quality academic and student support services. When feedback received, VA will contact the school on behalf of the student and work toward resolution. VA will contact the School Certifying Official about complaints. Complaints and resolutions will be forwarded to FTC Consumer Sentinel Network.

9. GI Bill Comparison ToolFebruary 2014 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching an innovative new GI Bill Comparison Tool designed to make it easier for Veterans to calculate their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and learn more about colleges, universities and other education and training programs across the country. The GI Bill Comparison Tool is designed to enable student Veterans and their families to compare education options and make informed choices that will help them reach their educational goals and find a good job. http://department-of-veterans-affairs.github.io/gi-bill-comparison-tool/

10. Yellow Ribbon Program Agreements Due by May 15, 2014 VA will accept initial participation agreements, modifications to existing agreements, and withdrawals from the Yellow Ribbon Program from March 15 to May 15, 2014. A list of participants in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 2014 - 2015 academic year will be posted on the website in early June. Institutions should review the Cover Letter and Frequently Asked Questions prior to any submissions, modifications, or withdrawals from the Yellow Ribbon Program; especially to determine whether they should submit a new open-ended agreement or to continue to honor the terms of existing open-ended agreements.

11. IJF Education Working GroupMilitary Articulations Subgroup Phase I: College of DuPage – Fire Science, Homeland Security, Automotive, EMT/Paramedic College of Lake County – Criminal Justice, Automotive, Network Admin/Security, EMT, Nursing Moraine Valley Community College – Criminal Justice, EMT/Paramedic Southwestern Illinois College – Electrical and Electronics Repairs Phase II: Kaskaskia College –Automotive, Truck Driving, Network Administration Heartland Community College – Computer Support, Truck Driving, Healthcare

12. IJF Education Working GroupMilitary Articulations Subgroup Transferology Transferology is a nation-wide network designed to help students answer the question "Will my courses transfer?" Students enter coursework, exams, and/or military learning experiences, then discover in a single click how many schools in the Transferology network have matching courses that may be awarded when the student transfers. Schools are ranked by the percentage of coursework they accept in transfer for each student, though users can focus the results with a number of handy filters and sorts. Details of how those courses will count are available with another click or two, and students can inform schools of their interest in transferring by asking about specific programs, campus visits, and/or coursework that has not yet been evaluated by the school. Designed, created, and supported by CollegeSource, Inc. Transferology was first released in the spring of 2014. www.transferology.com

13. IVG and Post 9/11 GI Bill ISAC and IDVA are continuing in their efforts to pursue a waiver from USDVA to allow IVG as a second payer option

14. Questions and Contact Information Dan Wellman Administrator Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Illinois State Approving Agency (Work) 217.782.7838 (Fax) 217.524.8394 Email: dan.wellman@illinois.gov