Veterans on Campus

1. Veterans on Campus The New GI Bill, and More Skip Gebhart, Administrator Veterans Education & Training Programs

2. Purpose • Help you understand VA education programs: • West Virginia Overview • Benefits and Programs • Veterans on campus • Getting information

3. Overview

4. The Players • Department of Veterans Affairs • Higher Education Policy Commission • Schools • Veterans

5. VA’s Role • Pay benefits • Implement provisions of Title 38 and Title 10, US Code • Provide assistance to service members, veterans and schools • Conduct compliance reviews

6. VA’s (and the law’s) Philosophy • “Father Knows Best” • 1950s Collegiate Experience: • Mom and Dad pay the bills • Mom and Dad expect success • Mom and Dad get the grades • Mom and Dad cut off the money when there’s no progress!

7. HEPC’s Office of Veterans Education and Training Programs • A unit of the Academic Affairs Division of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission • Colloquially known as the “SAA,” or “State Approving Agency” • Designated by the Governor at request of Congress • Evaluates, approves, and monitors programs for VA education benefits • Provides training and technical assistance to schools We help make the GI Bill work in West Virginia

8. OVET’s Desired Outcomes • Successful students! • Good programs • Lower rate of errors and overpayments • Satisfied clients and stakeholders • More veterans coming to/staying in West Virginia for school or training • Higher rate of participation in GI Bill • Veterans • Training facilities

9. West Virginia’s Approved Facilities • More than 2,600 programs in: • 45 Colleges and Universities • 48 Non-College Degree Schools • 80 Apprenticeship and Other On-Job Training Programs • 1 Flight School

10. West Virginia’s VA Students • About 4,500 Students Receive VA Benefits in West Virginia in a typical school year: • About 4,350 in Colleges and Universities • About 80 in Non-College Degree Schools • About 70 in Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training

11. Economic Impact West Virginia’s GI Bill students bring in more than $3 million per month! * $36 million per year *

12. Economic Impact – Part II The new GI Bill could increase the monthly inflow to $4.5 million! or * $54 million per year *

13. Benefit Programs

14. The “GI Bills” • Ch 30 - Montgomery GI Bill • Ch 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill • Ch 1606 - Selected Reserves • Ch 1607 - Reserve Education Assistance Program • Plus: • Ch 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation • Ch 35 – Dependents’ Education Assistance

15. Ch. 30 - Active Duty • Honorable discharge • Completed high school • Service after June 30, 1985 • Enrolled in MGIB ($1200 contribution) • Served 2 or 3 years, generally • Veterans have ten years to use benefits • It’s complex! Ask VA to be sure!

16. Ch. 1606 – Selected Reserves • Have signed a 6-year contract (officers must sign an additional 6-year contract) • Have completed initial active duty for training • Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent before applying for benefits • Are in good standing in an actively drilling Reserve/Guard unit

17. Ch. 1607 – REAP • Reserves: • Serves at least 90 consecutive days active duty after September 11, 2001, for a contingency operation • Individuals eligible as soon as they reach the 90 day point • National Guard • Also eligible after serving 90 consecutive days on active duty if the service is “federal duty” authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency. • Must remain in Guard or Reserve to use benefits

18. Ch. 31 – VA Vocational Rehab • Veteran must have a service-connected disability • Disability must cause an employment handicap • VA services individually designed to help vet overcome the handicap and become employed • Generally have 12 years to use benefits

19. Ch 35 - Dependents Education • Spouse or child of a veteran who: • Died on active duty • Died as result of permanent and total service-connected disability • Has a permanent and total service-connected disability • 45 months of benefits • Have eight years to use benefits

20. Current Monthly Payments for Full Time Training

21. Ch. 33 - The “New” GI Bill • “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008” • Effective for training after August 1, 2009 • For service of 90 days’ active duty after September 11, 2001 • Participants have 15 years to use benefits • Available only in programs at Institutions of Higher Learning (may be degrees or not) • Excludes OJT and Apprenticeships

22. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits • Tuition and fees • up to highest in-state undergrad tuition at a public institution ($267 per hour in W. Va./$4,030 in fees) • Monthly housing allowance • equal to that for an E-5 with dependents, in same zip code as school. ($799 to $1270) • Books and supplies • up to $1000 per year • Benefits paid are based on length of service and range from 40% to 100% of full amount

23. The Yellow Ribbon Program • Provides additional help with tuition and fees when costs exceed what VA can pay under the law • Schools agree to “cover” up to half of the difference between VA’s “cap” and the actual tuition and fees. • VA matches the school’s contribution • The student pays nothing! • Available only to those persons at the 100% benefit level • All West Virginia state schools participate fully; most private schools do, too

24. Dependents and the New GI Bill • Service members, including Guard and Reserve, may transfer their benefits to their spouses and children. • Dependents get the same benefit as the service member. • Effective July 1, 2010, children of those killed in line of duty will be eligible for full benefits under the new GI Bill.

25. Nuts and Bolts

26. Veterans Have Questions and Needs, As Well As GI Bill Benefits! • Many will return seeking education and training • Many will need transition and support services to enter or re-enter school successfully • Most will contact military or VA first. . . and be told to “see your school official.” • In essence, SCHOOL OFFICIALS will be their primary contact for information about school and benefits and how to put it all together!

27. Challenges for Veteran-Students • Difficulties adjusting to the return to civilian and college lifestyle • Mood Swings • Attention and Concentration Problems • Test Anxiety • Math Difficulties • Reading Difficulties • Substance Dependence • Post-Traumatic Stress • Selecting the right program and school

28. “Making a Difference on Your Campus” “The best advice I can give any institutional leader about serving student veterans is to reach out and engage with those who are on your campus or in your local community.” --Molly Corbett Broad, President American Council on Education Oct 6, 2008

29. Veterans’ Responsibilities • Apply themselves to programs • Take only courses in their programs • Keep school informed of changes • Keep VA informed of changes

30. School Responsibilities • Provide educational opportunities, programs, instruction, and support (including advising) • Report veterans’ enrollment and progress information to VA • Provide academic program information to OVET • Make records available to VA and OVET for review

31. Enrollment Certification • Certification encompasses ALL the legal requirements found in Title 38: • Program is approved • Appropriate credit has been given for previous work • All courses taken count toward program goal • Faculty and facilities are adequate to provide good instruction • School will report changes in enrollment and pursuit • It’s MORE than just “hours and dates”

32. Entitlement Charges • Veterans get 36 months of full-time entitlement, or the equivalent for part-time pursuit • For each day of benefits paid, one day of entitlement is charged • If no “credit” is received, then that time is “wasted” in terms of degree progress • Once gone, it is GONE

33. Program Changes • Veterans can change schools and programs simply be notifying VA • Program changes usually cost the veteran credit and entitlement • Careful planning can prevent loss of entitlement • Dependents must have VA approval of second or subsequent changes

34. Benefit Overpayments • Can result from: • Non-attendance • Non-punitive grades (Ws) • VA WILL go after the money! • Waivers are possible • Patterns of overpayments at a school are cause for concern

35. You Can Help! • Pay attention to veterans in your classes • Be proactive in suggesting help when needed • Help them stay on track in their programs • Get know your school’s VA Certifying Official and/or Veterans Coordinator

36. Processing Times and Other Issues • VA can take weeks to process a new claim . . . especially now • Encourage vets to • Be patient • Register as early as possible • Have a financial backup plan for first term • Emergency payments from VA, Fall, 2009 • Up to $3,000 on the spot if benefits not received yet • May go to VA Regional Office OR apply online • Must show proof of enrollment and a photo ID

37. A Challenge Encouraging veterans to USE the benefits they’ve earned About half do NOT use them!

38. “Stat Chat” • As of last Spring, about 1,400 West Virginians were serving in the Middle East • Since 2001, more than 9,500 West Virginians have been deployed • Over the next five years, nearly 10,000 West Virginians are projected to be separated from military service: • 2009 - 2,800 • 2010 - 2,300 • 2011 - 1,900 • 2012 - 1,500 • 2013 - 1,400

39. The Future in Numbers • Between now and 2027, as many as 24,000 West Virginians may become eligible for GI Bill benefits! • If only half use the benefits, that’s 12,000 prospective new students! • 12,000 full-time GI Bill trainees can bring in about $150 Million cash per academic year to our state!

40. Questions? More Information? Office of Veterans Education and Training Programs 1018 Kanawha Boulevard, East Suite 700 Charleston WV 25301 304-558-0263 veteducation@hepc.wvnet.edu