Donald S. Pfeffer , Director 218-855-8148 dpfeffer@clcmn.edu

1. Donald S. Pfeffer, Director 218-855-8148 dpfeffer@clcmn.edu Higher Education Veterans Programs

2. Reliance of Guard/Reserve Forces for Deployments Percent currently deployed by type of service (June ’09) Source: http://dva.state.wi.us/WebForms/Data_Factsheets/ResDistribution_Jun09.pdf

3. MN Higher Education Legislation Higher Education Fairness and Assistance for Public Institutions • Resident Tuition Status • Undergraduate • Graduate • Delayed Tuition Payment • Tuition payment extensions granted. • No late fees or denial of course enrollment • Course Options for Deployments • “Space” for Veterans on Campus • Staff for Campus Veterans Assistance • Benefit and Service Information and Assistance

4. Higher Education Veterans Programs Created by MDVA in 2006 with mission to: ASSIST MN Public Colleges and Universities • Create on -campus Veterans Resource Centers • Develop “veterans friendly” policies/procedures • Deferred tuition/fee payment • Residency status • Military transfer credits • Coordinate on/off campus veterans higher education information and services for students • Private Colleges Encouraged to Participate

5. Higher Education Veterans Programs Desired Outcome is for Veterans, Military Members and their Families: Start College … Succeed in College … Complete College … To Obtain Their Career Goals! Minnesota received more than $62 Million Dollars in Veterans and Military funding for Higher Education in 2008

6. Higher Education Veterans Programs • FIRST and ONLY program of its kind –parts replicated in other states • Coordinated Services available to ALL Minnesota Colleges and Universities • MN Colleges and Universities develop programming with their own funds • Serve All Military branches and their families • Member of the MN Army National Guard Reintegration Team

7. Higher Education Veterans Programs Calendar Year 2008 • Twelve Regional Coordinators • 59 Campus Veterans Resource Centers • 5,100+ Individuals Served • College and Community Training • Reintegration Activities

8. Higher Education Veterans Programs Call Center MyMilitaryEducation.org Operators on Duty 7 days a Week 7 AM to 9 PM Monday- Friday 10 AM to 3:30 PM Sat/Sun On-line, Call In or Live Chat Frequently Asked Questions 3,000 contacts per month

9. Where do You Go to Get Help? www.MyMilitaryEducation.org

10. Veterans Needing Academic Assistance • Free program for veterans needing remedial coursework in reading, writing, math, computer skills, and/or study skills. • Students can enroll weekly, and take the full curriculum or only needed courses. • Veteran is eligible for full VA benefits. • For more information, contact: • Minneapolis Community and Technical College 612-659-6570. • Anoka Ramsey Community College 763-433-1687

11. Current Tobacco Use Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

12. High-Risk Drinking Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

13. Diagnosis of Any Mental Health Condition - Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

14. Diagnosed Mental Health Condition - Past 12 Months Veterans by Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Service Status and Gender Diagnosed With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Within Past 12 Months Diagnosed With Panic Attacks Within Past 12 Months (8)

15. Depression Diagnosis - Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

16. Sexual Assault - Past-12 months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

17. Physical Fight - Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

18. Domestic Violence - Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

19. Questions

20. Service Member Education Benefits Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) MN GI Bill State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) • Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve • Chapter 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) • Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty • Chapter 33 – Post 911 GI Bill Disabled Veteran - 20% or More Disability • Chapter 31 – Voc. Rehab and Employment

21. Dependent Education Benefits Free Application for Student Aid State of Minnesota • State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) - Spouse Only Federal Active Duty (Title 10 Deployment) • Chapter 33 – Dependent Option • Chapter 35 - 100% Disabled Veteran – Dependents National Program • MyCAA – Spouse Only

22. Active duty since Sept. 11, 2001 or 5 consecutive years Guard/Reserve MN resident; MN college/university Maximum benefit: $1K/semester (full-time) $3K/fiscal year $10K lifetime “Cost of attendance minus Aid and Benefits” For information: www.getreadyforcollege.org/military Service Member Education Benefits Minnesota GI Bill, M.S. 197.791

23. Service Member Education Benefits State Tuition Reimbursement • Pays up to 100% of tuition upon successful coursework completion • Pays Tuition, but NOT Fees • Maximum reimbursement is 100% of the undergraduate rate of the U of M • Lifetime maximum STR benefit is 144 Semester credits • Notify Unit prior to start of classes and submit Grades and Fee statement upon completion

24. Dependent Education Benefits State Tuition Reimbursement • Spouses are authorized to use the remaining balance of a service member’s STR • Spouse can use up to 12 semester credits per year • The Member must have accumulated 8 years of qualifying service in the MANG. • Payments will be direct deposited into the Member’s bank account • Obligation and Payment requests will work the same as for a Member

25. Service Member Education Benefits Federal Tuition Assistance Non Deployed Enlisted and Officer Guard Members • Funds up to 100% of tuition and most fees to a maximum amount • Paid directly to the college and eligible members CAN use FTA with MGIB-AD. • Maximum benefit is $4,500 per Fiscal Year (FY) Oct 1 to Sep 30. • First come - first served, not guaranteed • Service member initiates - conditions apply! Apply: https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil/Benefits/

26. Service Member Education Benefits Federal Tuition Assistance for AGR and Deployed Enlisted Soldier’s thru Army Continuing Education System (ACES) Funds up to 100% of tuition plus most fees Pays up to a maximum amount per credit Maximum benefit is $4,500 per Fiscal Year (FY) Oct 1 to Sep 30. To Apply www.GoArmyEd.com For information Contact Rock Island Education Center (309) 782-1849 email earmyu@ria.army.mil

27. Service Member Education Benefits Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve (SR) This Montgomery GI Bill provides: up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserve. doesn't require a person to serve on active duty in the regular Armed Forces to qualify. Can be used by member separated from the Reserve component if they are eligible for Chapter 1607.

28. Service Member Education Benefits • Chapter 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)This Montgomery GI Bill provides: • Provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, • as declared by the President or Congress. • Generally, a member of a Reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10, U.S. Code, for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation, is eligible for REAP. • No specific time frame to use REAP - Eligibility generally ends upon leaving the Selected Reserves.

29. Service Member Education Benefits Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty Provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for:

30. Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Service Member Education Benefits • The Post-9/11 GI Bill consists of three components: • Tuition & fee payment • Paid directly to the institution. In Minnesota, pays up to $326/credit for tuition & $4,359/term for fees • Additional expenses may be covered at participating Yellow Ribbon institutions • Housing stipend • Paid directly to the student based on the zip code of the institution • Equivalent to the BAH rate for an E-5 w/dependents • Must be training at greater than ½ time and have at least one course on-campus to qualify for the housing stipend • Books & supplies • Paid directly to the student • Prorated to about $42/credit up to $1,000/year

31. Service Member Education Benefits Post 911 GI Bill Eligibility • Active service after September 10, 2001 • At least 90 days (entry & skill training excluded for 24 mo. or less) • 30 days if discharged due to service connected disability • Cumulative post-9/11 active service determines % of benefit • Make an irrevocable election of Chapter 33 and relinquish eligibility for one other qualifying benefit (if applicable) • Eligible veterans have 15 years from date of eligibility/discharge to use 36 months of benefit • No buy in is required

32. Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Levels Service Member Education Benefits Percentage of Maximum Amount Payable (post-9/11) At least 36 cumulative months (incl training time): 100% At least 30 cumulative months (incl training time): 90% At least 24 cumulative months (incl training time): 80% At least 18 cumulative months: 70% At least 12 cumulative months: 60% At least 6 cumulative months: 50% At least 90 cumulative days: 40% At least 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability: 100% *Percentage applies to each component (tuition, housing, books)

33. Combination With Other VA Benefits • For those eligible for MGIB-AD (CH30) • Normally, months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will equal the number of months of entitlement remaining under MGIB-AD. However, if all MGIB-AD benefits are used before electing Post-9/11 GI Bill, students may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. • For those eligible for MGIB-SR (CH1606) and/or REAP (CH1607) • Generally, individuals who are eligible for more than one benefit may use a maximum combined total of 48 months of benefits • For example: If you have used 20 months of benefits under REAP, you may be eligible for 28 months of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill

34. Combined With Non-VA Education Benefits The Post-9/11 GI Bill may not be thebest option for everyone • For those with the following circumstances/benefits, CH1607 or CH30 may be more beneficial than changing to the Post-9/11 GI Bill: • Less than 100% of CH33 rate, part time and/or online students • Federal Tuition Assistance • State Tuition Reimbursement • Dislocated Workers Program • Changes to FTA & STR are expected, but have not yet been announced. It is uncertain at this time how these benefits might impact CH33. • Electing the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a permanent decision

35. Post 911 GI Bill Application Process Service Member Education Benefits • Updated 22-1990 or VONAPP • If eligible for other chapters, make an irrevocable election • Supply the VA with any supporting information: DD214, orders, kicker agreement, etc • Applicant will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) which lists the percentage and number of months of entitlement • Bring copy of COE to campus certifying official • School will certify once registered for classes

36. Spouse/Dependent Transfer Option • Service member must be on active duty or actively drilling on or after August 1, 2009 • Generally, service member must have served a minimum of 6 years and commit to serving an additional four years from the date benefit transfer is approved • To phase in, certain waivers will be granted to the 4 year added service requirement • Benefits can be transferred to a spouse, children, or a combination of the two • The entire benefit, up to the full 36 months, can be transferred

37. Post 911 GI Bill Spouse/Dependent Transfer Option Service member retains ownership of the benefit and can modify and/or revoke at any time Spouse/dependents receive the same benefit (at the same percentage level) as service member Spouse has 15 years to use after member leaves service and can use benefits immediately upon approval Children can use up to age 26 once the member has served at least 10 years ) Must be in DEERS Member can change Transfer during their 15 Year Window

38. MN Guard Steps to transfer Chapter 33 Benefits

39. MN Guard Steps to transfer Chapter 33 Benefits-

40. Post 911 GI Bill Additional Considerations Kicker/College Fund will be paid as a lump sum/semester One-time reimbursement of up to $2,000 for approved licensing or certification tests Tutorial assistance of up to $1,200 ($100/mo.) Work study allowance will be available similar to other chapters Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program are posted at www.gibill.va.gov Eligible veterans must carefully weigh their options

41. Survivor Education Benefits • MN Department of Veterans Affairs – “Surviving Spouse/Dependent Benefit” • Chapter 33 – “Machine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship” - Children Only • Chapter 35 - “Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance” – Dependent Benefit

42. Other Education Updates Financial aid: Starting July 01, 2009, VA benefits will not be considered when calculating Federal aid 

43. Contacts For Help • See your Unit Education Specialist first for Guard Related Education Details • Your Unit will contact the State Guard Education Office if Needed • At any time you may contact a Higher Education Veterans Program Regional Coordinator • Go To: www.MyMilitaryEducation.org

44. QUESTIONS?