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1122 Lady St, Suite 300 Columbia, SC 29201

www.che.sc.gov @SCCommHigherEd

SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

August 2, 2018

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education State Approving Agency Overview and Updates

Overview: The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Veterans’ Education and Training Section is designated as the State Approving Agency (SAA), by the Governor. The SAA is a part of the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA), which is comprised of state agencies that have responsibility for the approval and training available through the GI Bill. The SAA acts on behalf of the federal government to evaluate educational/vocational institutions and training establishments. In accordance with Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 21.4253, 21.4254, 21.4261, and 21.4262, the South Carolina SAA is responsible for reviewing, approving, disapproving and monitoring all education programs (colleges, universities, schools, apprenticeship and on-the-job training establishments) within South Carolina. Moreover, in cooperation with Veterans Affairs (VA), the SAA assist veterans and those eligible with school/employment programs and GI Bill benefit information. The SAA also assists the VA with compliance surveys to ensure institutional compliance with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) - Post 9/11 GI Bill Tuition Rates for the academic years 2015-2018. 2018-2019 Post 9/11 GI Bill Public Institution Tuition Rate: The VA’s Academic Year begins August 1st through July 31st of each calendar year. The current tuition rate at a public institution is $22,805.34. Beginning on August 1, 2018, the new tuition rate will be $23,671.94. This is an increase of 3.8%. In addition to the tuition rate increase, veterans and those eligible will also receive a supplies/book stipend up to $1,000.00 proportionately ($500.00 for the fall and spring terms), in accordance with the current academic year.

Veterans and Covered Individual Monthly Housing Allowance: Veterans and those eligible students can expect to see changes in their monthly housing allowance after August 1, 2018. As part of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also known as the “Forever GI Bill (FGIB),” Section 107 of the law requires VA to calculate monthly housing payments based on the location of the campus where a student attends the majority of their classes. A “campus” may include internships, externships, training, practicums, etc. The VA is working with school certifying officials to implement this change and ensure veterans and those eligible receive their monthly housing payment. Students can expect to see changes in their monthly housing allowance after August 1, 2018. South Carolina Veterans and those eligible receiving VA Educational benefits through the month of December 2017:

• Veterans - 8,169 • Reservists - 736 • Dependents - 1,981 • Total -10,886

2

South Carolina Veterans and those eligible receiving VA Educational benefits for April 30, 2018:

• Veterans - 8,509 • Reservists - 641 • Dependents - 2,363 • Total - 11,513

FY 2017-2018 - Currently active approved colleges, universities, schools, apprenticeships and on-the-job training establishments:

• Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) - 131 • Non-College Degrees (NCD) - 55 • Apprenticeships (APP) - 9 • On-the-Job Trainings (OJT) - 71 • Total - 266

FY 2018-2019 - Currently active approved colleges, universities, schools, apprenticeships and on-the-job training establishments:

• Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) - 97 • Non-College Degrees (NCD) - 69 • Apprenticeships (APP) - 8 • On-the-Job Training Establishments (OJT) - 56 • Total - 229

State Approving Agency – Update

August 2, 2018

Attachment I

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education State Approving Agency Overview

• The SAA acts on behalf of the federal government to evaluate educational/vocational institutions and training establishments.

• The SAA approves programs where veterans and those eligible for VA education benefits (under Title 38, US Code, Chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, and Title 10 US Code, Chapter 1606 and 1607) can achieve quality training in either an educational, professional, or vocational objective.

• The focus of the SAA is the review, evaluation, and approval of quality programs under both state and federal criteria.

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education State Approving Agency Overview Continued - Contract and

Business Plan

• The SAA reviews all requests for approval documents from all educational institutions and employers requesting to be approved for veterans’ education and training programs.

• All requests for approval must be submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Liaison Representative at an approval accuracy rate of a minimum of 90% with no substantive errors for concurrence.

GI Bill Approvals for Colleges, Universities and Schools

Accredited granting Institutions • Governing authority: Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations: 21.4253

Non-accredited institutions• Governing authority: Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations: 21.4254

VA On-the-Job Training Program

Apprenticeship (APP)• Governing authority: Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations: 21.4261

On-the-job training (OJT)• Governing authority: Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations: 21.4262

Program ApprovalsFY 2017

FY 2017 Program Approvals

Degrees-3059

Dip/Cert-1166

APP-10

OJT-13

Disapprovals-IHL-115-NCD-145

FY 2018

Program Approvals1st and 2nd Qtrs

IHL-1583

NCD-357

APP-0

OJT-4

Disapprovals-IHL-118-NCD-16

Technical Assistance with APP/OJT Enrollment Applications

Processed Veteran enrollments

020406080

100120140160180

FY 2017-160 As of 5/18/2018 -73

• The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education State Approving Agency is one of four states that actually provides technical assistance in completing the required approval documents and enrollment application for SC employers and veterans.

• The SAA reviews all On-the-Job Training (APP/OJT) enrollment applications to ensure accurate completion.

• The technical assistance helps the VA Claims Department process enrollment applications without delay.

South Carolina Active Colleges, Universities and Training Establishments

FY 18

0

50

100

150

200

250

300FY 19

050

100150200250300

South Carolina Veterans, Selected Reserves and DependentsReceiving GI Bill Benefits

Reported on April 30, 2017

02000400060008000

100001200014000

As of April 30, 2018

02000400060008000

100001200014000

Department of Veterans - Post 9/11 GI Bill Tuition Rates for the Academic Years - 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018

$0.00

$5,000.00

$10,000.00

$15,000.00

$20,000.00

$25,000.00

2015 -$21,084.89

2016 -$21,970.46

2017 -$22,805.34

2018 -$23,671.94

A 3.8% increase

FY 2017 and 2018

Compliance Survey Over and Under payments Compliance survey visits - 38

• Institutions of Higher Learning - 6• Non-College Degree Schools - 2• Total over payments - $43,486.58• Total under payments - $1,100.28Note: As of May 15, 2017

Compliance survey visits - 37

• Institutions of Higher Learning - 5• Non-College Degree Schools - 3• Total over payments - $15,764.00• Total under payments - $171.49

Note: As of May 18, 2018

FY 2017 and 2018Compliance Survey Overpayments Financial Breakdowns

FY 17

$0.00$5,000.00

$10,000.00$15,000.00$20,000.00$25,000.00$30,000.00$35,000.00$40,000.00$45,000.00$50,000.00

FY 18

$0.00$5,000.00

$10,000.00$15,000.00$20,000.00$25,000.00$30,000.00$35,000.00$40,000.00$45,000.00$50,000.00

FY 2017 and 2018Compliance Survey Underpayments - Education Institutions - Veterans

Financial Breakdowns

FY 17

$0.00$500.00

$1,000.00$1,500.00$2,000.00$2,500.00$3,000.00$3,500.00$4,000.00$4,500.00$5,000.00

FY 18

$0.00$500.00

$1,000.00$1,500.00$2,000.00$2,500.00$3,000.00$3,500.00$4,000.00$4,500.00$5,000.00

Changes Coming to Monthly Housing AllowanceApril 5,2018

• VA students can expect to see changes in their monthly housing allowance after August 1, 2018.

• As part of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also known as the “Forever GI Bill (FGIB),” Section 107 of the law requires VA to calculate monthly housing payments based on the location of the campus where a student attends the majority of their classes. A “campus” may include internships, externships, training, practicums, etc.

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