GI Bill Basics: Kickers? DD214? Chapter 30?

Presenter: Heather Willett

Director of Financial Aid and VA Certifying Official

Sandhills Community College

What is the GI Bill and where did it come from?

The GI Bill (the generic term comprising various education assistance programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs) provides benefits to veterans, servicemembers, and some dependents of disabled or deceased veterans wishing to pursue an education.

The Servicemembers' Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights, was created with the intent to provide veterans access to education, training, and loan guaranty. The bill has gone through several revisions, with the most recent revision taking place this year (2008).

GI Bill Education Programs• The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for approved degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30.

The Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) The MGIB-SR program may be available to members of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for approved degree and certificate programs. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 1606.

GI Bill Education Programs (cont.)• Survivors‘ & Dependents' Educational Assistance Program

Provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for approved degree and certificate programs. This program is commonly known as Chapter 35 or DEA.

• Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)REAP provides education assistance to members of a reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10 U.S. Code for a contingency operation and who serves at least 90 consecutive days. National Guard members also are eligible if their active duty service meets certain criteria. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 1607.

GI Bill Education Programs (cont.)• VA Vocational Rehabilitation

Provides training towards successful rehabilitation and suitable employment to disabled veterans.

• Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) VEAP may be available to those veterans who entered duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and elected to make contributions to participate in this education benefit program. Contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis.

• National Call to ServiceThe National Call to Service Incentive program requires a participant to perform a period of national service to be eligible for benefits.   It is a Department of Defense program that is administered by VA.

Application and Payment• Veteran or dependent can apply online using VONAPP

system (www.gibill.va.gov)

• Receives a Certificate of Eligibility detailing eligibility criteria This certificate tells the student what Chapter he or she is eligible for, how many months, and the final date they can use their benefit

• If a student changes schools, they do not need to re-apply for their benefit. They only have to inform the VA by completing a Change of Program/Place of Training form either online or with the appropriate office at their new school

Application and Payment (cont.)

• Payment is made to the student based on term length and credit hours in approved program of study

• Student will receive award letter from VA with the monthly award amount after the enrollment certification is processed

• The most current payment rates can be accessed online at www.gibill.va.gov.

• Amount of payment may be increased due to:– Kicker– Buy-up– Active duty status– Number of dependents

What is the schools’ responsibility to the VA and the Student?

It is the VA Certifying Officials’ job to:1) Certify that the student has meet all admissions

requirements; 2) Inform the VA each semester of what class credits the

student is taking towards their approved major, and3) Inform the VA promptly if there are any changes in the

classes or credit hours.

This information is used by the VA to determine enrollment status and their rate of monthly pay.

We are required to report any changes in hours within 30 days of the last day a student attended the class.

What is the NC State Approving Agency?

The NC State Approving Agency supervises NC educational institutions for compliance with federal and state guidelines and approves educational courses/programs to be pursued by veterans and eligible persons.

• Notice of Program Approval--Schools must complete and receive a Program Approval annually from the NC SAA. This approval specifies the programs, policies, and facilities that are approved and excluded for the enrollment of veterans, military and other eligible persons.

• Annual compliance visit--NC SAA visits and inspects each active educational institution annually and provides written reports to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the state of North Carolina

New GI Bill—Chapter 33

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new benefit providing educational assistance to veterans with active duty service on or after Sept. 11 2001. The new bill provides enhanced educational benefits that cover more educational expenses, provide a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children.

Benefits for the new bill are payable for training beginning on or after August 1, 2009. Students eligible for both Chapter 33 and Chapter 30 must elect which bill to utilize. Eligible veterans generally have 15 years from their last period of active duty to use the new benefit.

New GI Bill (cont.)

• Eligibility for the new GI Bill:– Must have served at least 30 days of continuous

active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and be discharged due to a service-connected disability, or

– Served aggregate of 90 days of active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and be honorably discharged from the service

– Be honorably released from the Armed Forces with certain specific conditions

– Can receive up to 36 months of benefits under the new Bill

New GI Bill (cont.)• How much can a student receive under the New GI Bill?

– Students are entitled to a percentage based on their length of active duty service:

Member Serves Maximum benefit payable– At least 36 mos. 100%– At least 30 continuous days

on active duty and discharged 100%

due to service-connected disability– At least 30 mos. but less than 36 mos. 90%– At least 24 mos. but less than 30 mos. 80%– At least 18 mos. but less than 24 mos. 70%– At least 12 mos. but less than 18 mos. 60%– At least 6 mos. but less than 12 mos. 50%– At least 90 days but less than 6 mos. 40%

New GI Bill (cont.)– Payment details:

• Amount of tuition/fees charged not to exceed the highest cost of In-State public institution undergraduate tuition amount (paid to the school);

• Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing (BAH) for E-5 level, with dependents. The zip code of the school determines the monthly amount (paid to the student); and

• Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to the student)

• Students transferring from highly rural areas may also receive a one-time payment of $500 for relocation costs.

• Important pay note: Housing allowance and book/supplies stipend are not payable for students on active duty status or students who are half-time or less, or those taking distance education classes.

Websites and Contacts

• VA Education Service—www.gibill.va.gov • VA Benefits Administration home page—

www.vba.va.gov• VA Phone center: 1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551)• NC SAA: Phone--919-733-7535, website--

www.northcarolina.edu/content.php/affiliates/NCSAA • NC Association of Coordinators of Veterans Affairs:

website—www.ncacva.org• VA-Once: online system available to school certifying

officials for certification of enrollment— https://vaonce.vba.va.gov

Upcoming VA Conferences

• Atlanta RPO Conference

March 31-April 3, 2009

Crowne Plaza Ravinia, Atlanta, GA

For more information and registration information, please visit the NCACVA website at www.ncacva.org