SCO & Choice Act UpdateApril 21, 2015

Presented by: Dichondra Johnson, MVAA

Agenda

• Who is the MVAA?• MVAA Education Initiatives• Choice Act Update

Mission

To serve as the central coordinating point,

connecting those who have served in the

United States Armed Forces and their families,

to services and benefits throughout the State of

Michigan.

Michigan’s Veteran PopulationSome Basics

Michigan’s veteran population is one of the largest in the United States, ranking 11th in 2013

Vision

Putting Michigan on the path to be the most veteran-friendly state, by:•Providing the advice and assistance veterans need as they transition through the chapters of their lives;•Creating a “no wrong door” customer service culture; and•Advocating for and on behalf of veterans and their families.

Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center

Both the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center (1-800-MICH-VET) and michiganveterans.com are available 24 hours a day and are a great resource for veterans and partners.

MVAA ActionInitiatives & Programs: the Numbers

MVAA Education Initiatives

• Credit for experience/ fast-track programs• Veteran Friendly Campuses• Michigan Veteran Education Initiative

• Career Services/Employer Trainings• Student Veteran Organization Outreach• In-state tuition for veterans• VA Section 702 “Choice Act” Compliance

Understanding the Choice Act

What is the Choice Act?•Federal Law PL 113-146 Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act 2014 •GOAL: To improve the access of veterans to medical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

General Overview of Choice Act Section 702

• Requires VA to disapprove programs of education if while living in the state of the institution, a covered individual is charged tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students at a public institution.

• VA cannot compel a school to charge covered individuals the in-state rates.

• VA will disapprove the impacted programs if school does not charge in-state rates.

• Policy language compliance deadline July 1, 2015

Who is covered under the Choice Act, Sec. 702?

“Covered individuals” under the Choice Act, sec. 702:•Receiving Montgomery (Chap 30) and Post-9/11 (Chap 33) GI Bill educational assistance; and•Enrolls within 3 years of discharge after serving 90 days or more on active duty; or•Anyone using transferred entitlement within 3 years of the transferor’s discharge after serving 90 days or more on active duty

Who is covered under the Choice Act, Sec. 702?

“Covered individuals” under the Choice Act, sec. 702 (cont.):•Surviving Spouses or Children under the Fry Scholarship who enroll within 3 years of an active duty Servicemember’s death in the line of duty after serving 90 days or more; or•Individuals who remain continuously enrolled after initially meeting the requirements and are using CH 30 or 33.•May also include ex-spouses and same-sex domestic partners/spouses

Choice Act Status(as of April 20, 2015)

MVAA/SAA has been in contact with several schools regarding Choice Act:Community Colleges•11 have not been in contact with MVAA/SAA regarding policies•14 are in progress of adopting policies•4 schools are compliant and have adopted approved policiesUniversities•6 have not been in contact with MVAA/SAA regarding policies•5 are in progress of adopting policies•2 schools are compliant and have adopted approved policies

Choice Act Compliance: Revising In-state Tuition Policies

Michigan’s IHLs VA-Approved PoliciesPOLICY #1: Any individual using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, and/or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the State of Michigan while attending [NAME OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL] (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

Choice Act Compliance:Revising In-state Tuition Policies

Michigan’s IHLs VA-Approved PoliciesPOLICY #2: Any individual using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, and/or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the State of Michigan while attending [NAME OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL] (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

– Chapter 33 and 30 beneficiaries must enroll within three years of being released from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.

– Persons using benefits under the provisions of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who live in the State of Michigan while attending [NAME OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL] (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) must enroll in the school within three years of the Servicemember's death.

Choice Act Compliance Assistance

• On behalf of MI schools MVAA/SAA can assist with Choice Act policy revisions prior to VA review– MVAA/SAA is not authorized to approve policies– Can provide guidance for language revisions

• Please send draft policies to email address: MVAA-CustomerService@michigan.gov

• VA Choice Act Info: – Section 702 Information is featured on the GI Bill Website

(benefits.va.gov/gibill/702.asp)– To help with students’ educational planning and ensure

transparency, VA will keep a listing of each state, territory, or school’s status on this page

Choice Act Compliance FinalReview Process

MVAA has been designated to submit Choice Act policy submissions to VA on behalf of all MI public IHLs. The following information is requested with final VA policy review submissions:•Official letter from school confirming compliance with Section 702•Provide reference of policy directive (Choice Act Policy Language) •Point of Contact (Can be someone other than the person noted on the official letter)•Submissions for VA review should be send to email address: MVAA-CustomerService@michigan.gov

Questions?