U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs 2009 The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs

2009

The Post-9/11 Veterans The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of Educational Assistance Act of

2008 2008

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ObjectivesObjectives

Overview of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33)

Time line Eligibility Payments Transferability Rules Overpayments and Debt

Collection Yellow Ribbon Program

NOTE: Atlanta has approximately 60,000,000 pending cases

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Student Experience Timeline

VA began processing applications for Certificates of Eligibility May 1, 2009 - VA began mailing C of E to students showing:

• Months of entitlement• Tier of eligibility• Delimiting date• If Yellow Ribbon eligible

DOD began Transfer of Entitlement program June 2009

VA began accepting enrollment certifications from schools Jul 6, 2009

VA paid first tuition and fees payments to schools: Aug 3, 2009

− VA paid first books and supplies stipend to student Aug 3, 2009

− VA provides notice to student of:• Tuition and fee payment amount (including Yellow Ribbon amounts)• Book stipend payment amount• Monthly housing payment amount• Need to notify VA of changes in enrollment• Obligation to repay any O/P resulting from changes in training

VA paid first partial housing allowance for August attendance Sep 1, 2009

VA paid first full monthly housing allowance for September attendance Oct 1, 2009

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility CriteriaPost-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Criteria

Individuals who served on active duty after 09/10/01 may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if the individual:

Served for an aggregate period of at least 90 days OR

Served for at least 30 continuous days on active duty after 9/10/01 and were discharged due to a service connected disability.

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To retain eligibility after discharge, the individual must:

Be honorably discharged OR Be discharged with less than an honorable (but NOT dishonorable) discharge for:

- A medical condition which existed prior to service (EPTSEPTS)

- Hardship (HDSPHDSP) or,

- A condition which interfered with duty (CIWDCIWD).

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Benefit Level

• Individuals eligible at the maximum benefit level may receive 100% of the benefits payable. Does NOT mean 100% of T&F!

• All others receive a percentage based on their length of service. NOTE: Can change!

• Claimants will be responsible for the difference between actual charges and the percentage of benefits due based on their length of service or maximum reimbursement.

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Eligibility CriteriaEligibility Criteria

Service Requirements

(after 9/10/01 an individual must serve an

aggregate of)

Payment Tiers Percentage

At least 36 months 100

At least 30 continuous days on active duty

(Must be discharged due to service-connected Must be discharged due to service-connected disabilitydisability)

100

At least 30 months, but less than 36 months 90

At least 24 months, but less than 30 months 80

*At least 18 months, but less than 24 months 70



*At least 90 days, but less than 06 months 40

*Excludes time served in Basic Military Training and/or Skill Training

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Entry level and skill training are defined as follows:

ARMY: Basic Combat Training & Advanced Individual Training

NAVY: Recruit Training (Boot Camp) & Skill Training (“A” School)

AIR FORCE: Basic Military & Technical School

MARINE CORPS: Recruit Training & Marine Corps (or School of Infantry Training)

NOTE: Entry level and skill training are not considered for involuntary call ups.

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Individuals who:

Enlisted under the Student Loan RepaymentLoan Repayment plan

Received an ROTC scholarshipROTC scholarship Graduated from a service academyservice academy, or CAN qualify for Ch33 BUT the time spentsatisfying the active duty obligationdoes not count toward Ch33. NOTE: 3 years are deducted for LRP, 4 years

for ROTC and 5 years for service academy.

Post-9/11 GI Bill EligibilityPost-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility

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Eligibility for Other VA Benefits

Individuals eligible for one of the other VA education benefits(other than VEAP) must make an irrevocableirrevocable election to

receivebenefits under Chapter 33. If eligible for more than one

benefit,only one benefit needs to be relinquished.

• An individual who relinquishes eligibility under Ch30,Ch1606, or Ch1607 may receive benefits for approved programs not offered by IHLs (i.e. *flight, correspondence, Apprenticeship/

OJT, NCD schools, preparatory courses, & national tests).

• They will be paid as if they are still receiving benefits under

the relinquished benefit, however, their entitlement will be charged under Ch33.

• NOTE: The monthly housing allowance and the books and supplies stipend are not payable.* may be approved under Ch33 if part of a degree program at IHL

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Post-9/11 GI Bill ElectionsPost-9/11 GI Bill Elections

A member of the Armed Forces who previously declined to elect chapter 30.

NOTE: Active duty members are still being given the option to enroll in Chapter 30! They can then relinquish Ch30 for Ch33 at a later date if they choose

If eligible for both VEAPVEAP and the Post-9/11 GI Bill a claimant may

- disenroll from VEAP & receive a refund of contributions, or

- leave the remaining contributions in their VEAP account and remain eligible for both benefit programs

NOTE: Claimants may not receive benefits under more than one program at the same time.

The following individuals can also use Ch33:

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Entitlement Post-9/11 GI Bill Entitlement

Individuals will generally receive 36 months of benefits under Ch33

Individuals who elect to receive Ch33 in lieu of one of the other benefits are limited to a total of 48 months of combined benefits

Important!! Individuals who elect to receive Ch33 in lieu of Ch30 benefits are limited to their remaining Ch30 entitlement at the time of the election

Therefore, it may be in a Ch30 student’s best interest to exhaust their Ch30 before switching to Ch33

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit PaymentsPayments

Tuition and Fees– Based on the highest in-state T&F at a PUBLICPUBLIC institution (Chapel Hill)– Paid to school

Monthly Housing Allowance (BAH)

Books and Supplies Stipend

Kickers/College Fund are payable

”Buy-up” is NOT payable

Yellow Ribbon Program

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit PaymentsPayments

- One time $500 Rural Relocation Benefit • 6 persons or less per square mile AND physically relocates at

least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or • travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no

other land-based transportation exists

– OneOne Licensing and Certification Test– Interval Payments (will be charged entitlement)– Extending payment to end of term (not beyond

48 months for member/not at all for TOE dependents)

– Work-Study (at least 75% rate of pursuit)– Tutorial Assistance (at least 50% rate of pursuit)– Refund of applicable % of Ch30 Contributions

(only once ALL Ch33 entitlement is exhausted)

Miscellaneous Payments

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Effective DatePost-9/11 GI Bill Effective Date

Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefits can be paid for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009.

No payments may be made for training taken before that date.

If no election date is provided on the 1990, 8/1/09 will be used – even in irrevocable situations.

If a claimant does not indicate which benefit they are relinquishing, VA will make the decision for them and send a letter to the claimant advising which benefit was relinquished

No signature is required on the application.

Right Now Web Elections are not acceptable.

August 1, 2009

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Tuition and Fees

VA has developed a mechanism that establishes the maximum in-state public tuition on a separate “tuition per credit hour” and “fees per term” basis.

If a school charges a flat rate tuition amount for modulated terms the school will divide the total tuition charged by the minimum number of hours considered full-time. They will certify that amount for each hour certified up to the minimum number of hours required for full-time training. No tuition should be certified for subsequent hours pursued.

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Tuition ChargedTuition Charged

Each State has maximum in-State per credit hour tuition amount listed on VA’s website ~ $494.00 ~494.00 ~

VA compares actual tuition charged per credit hour vs. maximum in-State per credit hour and pays the lesser amount. NOTE: May also be prorated by %.

EXAMPLE: Maximum in-State is $494 per credit hour. Joe’s school reports he is enrolled in 15 credit hours for Fall ‘09 semester and is charged $3,000 tuition. He is eligible at the 100% tier.

–Determine maximummaximum: $494 x 15 = $7,410.–VA pays lesser amount: $3,000.

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Fees DefinedFees Defined

FEES — Any mandatory charges (except tuition, room, and board, parking) including, but not limited to:

Health premiums Freshman fees Graduation fees Lab fees

Does not include charges for study abroad courses unless course is mandatory.

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Fees ChargedFees Charged

Each State has maximum fees per term (quarter, semester, or non-standard)

~ $2163.90 ~$2163.90 ~ VA compares actual fees charged for term vs.

maximum in-State fees per term and pays the lesser amount. NOTE: May be prorated by entitlement %.

EXAMPLE: Maximum in-State fees is $2163.80 per term. Joe’s school reports he was charged $900 in fees for Fall ‘09 semester.

– VA pays lesser amount: $900.

If Joe is eligible at 100% tier level (based on length of service), total T&F payment = $3,900)

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Tuition and Fees ChargedTuition and Fees ChargedActive DutyActive Duty

Individuals on active dutyactive duty are eligible for the the lesser of:

Tuition and fees charged; or

The amount of tuition and fees charged that exceeds the amount paid by the military’s tuition assistance (TA) program.

Student submits TA form directly to VA. No school cert.

There are no state or tier caps! This includes eligible spouses while member is on active duty!

IMPORTANT: Need to make sure its worth how much entitlement will be used if only a small amount is left to pay under CH33, as ALL classes taken that term will be used to determine the entitlement charge!

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Tuition and FeesTuition and Fees

For state Tuition Assistance, VA should be the primary payer. State tuition assistance should pay any difference.

If required by your state, the state or unit should be refunded any excess amount of state tuition assistance money paid above balance.

NOTE: The rules are different for Active Duty students receiving Federal TA. For Active Duty students, TA pays first and CH33 pays the difference but the school does NOT certify for the CH33 funds. The student should submit a copy of the TA form directly to VA.

If a student is certified full tuition and fees and Federal TA funds have been received an overpayment will be created on the student’s VA account.

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State Tuition AssistanceState Tuition Assistance

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VA will pay the amount the individual is entitled to under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Even if that payment comes in after other payments are received, the school should accept VA’s payment and return any additional funds received to other sources in accordance with established policies.

Examples of state, local, and private funds/scholarships/waivers in North Carolina that are not to be considered when certifying enrollments under chapter 33 include but are not limited to:

NC Legislative Tuition Grant (NCLTG),

NC Contractual Scholarship

NC Lottery

North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs Tuition Waiver for the children of disabled/deceased Veterans

Employer payments of tuition and fees including waivers for college or state employees

NOTE: The rules are different for Active Duty students receiving TA. For Active Duty students, TA pays first and CH33 pays the difference but the school does NOT certify for the CH33 funds.

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State/Private/Local FundsState/Private/Local Funds

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Schools should report the amount of tuition and fees initially charged the individual after deducting any amounts paid with Federal Funds (excluding title IV funds).

Examples of programs that provide educational assistance with non-title IV Federal Funds include—

Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) Health Professionals Scholarship Program (HPSP) Government Employees’ Training Act (GETA)

If a student is certified full tuition and fees and any of these types of funds have been received an overpayment will be created on the student’s VA account.

NOTE: The list above is not all-inclusive. It just lists examples of Federal programs that offer tuition assistance to certain individuals.

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FEDERAL FUNDSFEDERAL FUNDS

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By law VA cannot consider Title IV Financial Aid when determining the amounts payable under VA educational assistance programs.

The term "Title IV Funds" refers to the Federal Financial Aid Programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) and includes the following programs—

Unsubsidized and Subsidized Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL), Unsubsidized and Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, FFEL Parent (PLUS) Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

NOTE: Ch 33 will be paid and Financial aid counselors at the schools will determine whether or not it is appropriate for the student to remain entitled to the other aid and scholarship programs. VA has no authority to provide guidance regarding the impact of receipt of Post-9/11 GI Bill payments on non-federal financial aid.

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TITLE IV FUNDSTITLE IV FUNDS

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Identifying payments from VA

When VA processes an enrollment certification, submitted by the School Certifying Official, payments will be released. VA will not make payments to the schools based on invoices or bills.

VA will make one Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit for the Tuition and Fees payment and one for the Yellow Ribbon Program payment, if applicable, directly into the school's financial account for each certified Chapter 33 student.

The direct deposit payment will include an addenda field with the student's identifying information. The addenda will include the student's VA file number, the student's name (up to 20 characters), and the term dates for the payment. Schools may request the addenda information from their Financial Institution. Please request that your financial institution provide this information in a readable format so that you will be able to match the payment with the student.

NOTE: If your direct deposit information changes or you wish to enroll in direct deposit, please notify me immediately by emailing [email protected].

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Identifying payments from VA

Should VA not have an active direct deposit payment address for your school, we will make payments to you by paper check.

These checks will be sent to the mailing address on file. A stub containing the student's identifying information specified above will be attached to each check.

Besides the addenda information provided with the individual student payments, VA will also mail your School Certifying Official a weekly report known as the Vet Rep Listing Report. This report lists all VA education benefits your students are receiving.

Payments made directly to the schools will be listed on the report in a subsection titled "Chapter 33 Tuition and Fees, and Yellow Ribbon Payments." Payments to students will not be listed.

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Monthly Housing AllowanceMonthly Housing Allowance

Equivalent to the DOD Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents (paid directly to the eligible person on a monthly basis)

– Determined by zip code of the IHL where student is enrolled http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/bah.html

– Prorated based on the applicable entitlement %– Doesn’t matter what grade at discharge or if they actually have

dependents

Active duty members, anyone whose “rate of pursuit” is 50% or less, are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance. Also not eligible for BAH if pursuing training solely by distance learning. BUT:

- Are eligible for BAH if taking at least one in-residence class- All courses (on-line & in-residence) meet greater than 50% rule- Zip code of in-residence school will be used

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Monthly Housing AllowanceMonthly Housing Allowance

For VA purposes, the term "Hybrid" doesn't exist. Courses are either "residence" courses or "distance learning" courses.

A course that meets face to face to provide instruction for the number of hours necessary to qualify for the credit hours being awarded would be a residenceresidence course even though they are using online resources to post assignments and submit work. (i.e., a 3 semester hour course must meet, face to face, for at least three hours per week to qualify as a residence course).

A course that meets only a short period of time so that the instructor can answer questions or counsel students but which has the bulk of instruction provided through an online source, would be considered a distance distance learninglearning course.

You need to decide which category your courses would fall under and certify accordingly. As in all aspects of VA certification, compliance surveys will review to ensure that certification is accurate.

“ HYBRID COURSES”

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Rate of Pursuit

• Rate of pursuit applies specifically to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and is similar to training time in other benefits

• It is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours being pursued by the number of credit hours that is considered to be full-time, as determined by the SAA, at the specific institution

• The resulting percentage is the individual’s rate of pursuit. NOTE: Rate of Pursuit also determines Entitlement charge.

• Example: 6/12= .50 or 50% NOTNOT eligible BAH 7/12 = .58 or 58% ISIS eligible BAH

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Rate of Pursuit

For non-standard terms such as summer, rate of pursuit will be calculated just as we do now for training time using “equivalent credit hours”

Once you have calculated the “equivalent credit hours” you will use that number in your rate of pursuit calculation along with the standard FT measure EX: Term 6/1/09 – 7/30/09 @3 cr (= 9 wks)

- At a semester hour school 3cr over 9 weeks is equivalent to 6 credits over a standard term.

- Rate of Pursuit: 6/12 =.50 or exactly 50% - So NO BAH as the rate of pursuit must be MORE than 50%

Non-Standard Terms/summer:

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Books and Supplies StipendBooks and Supplies Stipend

Up to a $1,000 per year

– $41.67 per credit hour– Up to 24 credit hours in a single academic

year– Lump sum payment (each quarter,

semester or term attended)

Prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit payable

Active duty members are not eligibleNote: Benefit payments are paid directly to the student

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Books and Supplies StipendBooks and Supplies Stipend

Example:– If Susan enrolls in 15 credit hours for the Fall Term,

she will receive a lump sum payment of $625.05$625.05 ($41.67 x 15 credit hours = $625.05)

– During the Spring term she enrolls in 12 hours.

– Susan is only eligible to receive the books and supplies stipend for 9 of the 12 credit hours, she can not exceed the maximum of 24 credit hours in a single academic year.

– Her payment for the Spring term will be $375.03 ($41.27 x 9 = $375.03)

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Kickers/College Fund/”Buy-Up”Kickers/College Fund/”Buy-Up”

MGIB (Ch30) and/or MGIB-SR (Ch1606) kickers under Chapter 33 will be:– Paid in lump sum to student for enrollment

period based on rate of pursuitbased on rate of pursuit– Paid to spouse/child if using transferred benefits

New chapter 33 kicker (Not available yet)– Only eligible for kicker if entitled to BAH– Will be paid with the monthly BAH

$600 buy-up does not transfer to chapter 33 & no refund will be given

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Approved ProgramsApproved Programs

All programs approved under chapter 30 and offered by an IHL are payable under Ch33

NOTE: NCDs at an IHL are payable NCDs at an NCD school are not

Only ONE Licensing and Certification test is payable under Ch33

– Up to $2000 for the test ONLY– Other related expenses are not payable– Must be taken after 8/1/09

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Factors to Consider

Individuals should carefully consider their education goals before applying and electing benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill

VA can provide general benefit comparison information, however, an individual’s unique circumstances must also be considered

Benefit comparison information is available at www.gibill.va.gov

NOTE: Claimants do NOT have to elect now!

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Elections – What should a vet consider?

Which benefit pays them more?– Are they receiving other aid?– What Chap 33 tier are they eligible for?– Rate of Pursuit– GenerallyGenerally, if BAH exceeds current monthly

benefit, they gain under Chap 33. What type of training? Is delimiting date important to them? In Armed Forces on 8-1-09?

– Eligible for TOE? Want to transfer?

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QUESTIONS?

TOE is next!

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Transfer of EntitlementTransfer of Entitlement

Department of Defense BenefitDepartment of Defense BenefitAdministered by VAAdministered by VA

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Transfer of EntitlementTransfer of Entitlement(Department of Defense Benefit)(Department of Defense Benefit)

DoD determines eligibility for transferability and may, by regulation, impose additional eligibility requirements and limit the number of months transferable

PHS/NOAA members are not eligible to transfer benefits

DOD hopes to begin accepting transfers in June.

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On or after August 1, 2009, DoD may allow an individual to elect to transfer entitlement to one or more dependents if he/she —– Has served at least 6 years in the

Armed Forces; and – Agrees to serve at least another 4

years in the Armed Forces.

There is one permanent & 5 temporary exceptions to the rules above.

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Permanent Exception: – Has served at least 10 years in

the Armed Forces; AND – On the date of election is

precluded by either standard policy or statute from committing to 4 additional years AND

– Agrees to serve the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.

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DoD will allow 5 waivers to the additional 4-year requirement for those at or near retirement.

– Effects those who are or will become retirement eligible from 8/1/09-8/1/13.

– A service member is considered to be retirement eligible after 20 years of active duty or

– 20 years of qualifying reserve service.

Temporary Exceptions:

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No additional service required if: - eligible for retirement on 8/1/09, OR - If have an approved retirement date after 8/1/09 but

before 7/1/10

1 year additional service if:-eligible for retirement after 8/1/09 but before 8/1/10

2 years additional service if:-eligible for retirement on or after 8/1/10 but before

8/1/11

3 years additional service if:

-eligible for retirement on or after 8/1/11 but before 8/1/12

Temporary Exceptions:

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Can transfer entitlement to spouse and/or children in any combination.

Transfer cannot exceed remaining entitlement under CH33.

Can only add dependents while in the Armed Forces.

Transferor retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.

If both the veteran and transferee are attending school and entitled to BAH, both will receive BAH.

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May use transferred benefits after 6 years of service.

Is paid as the transferor would be (i.e. if transferor is on active duty spouse is paid as if on active duty. If vet, paid spouse is paid as a vet would be).

Can use the benefit for up to 15 years after the transferor’s latest discharge.

Under law, benefits are not marital property and are not subject to division in a divorce or other civil proceedings

SpousesSpouses:

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Transfer must occur before the age of 23

May use the benefit only after the transferor has served the full 10 years.

May not use the benefit until he/she has a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or reached 18 years of age.

Is always paid as if the transferor is a veteran (i.e. will be entitled to BAH & book stipend even if transferor is on active duty).

Is not subject to the 15-year delimiting period, but may not use the benefits after age 26.

Children:Children:

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QUESTIONS?

Next: Overpayments!

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OverpaymentsOverpayments

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Overpayment of Benefits

An individual who doesn’t complete one or more courses and who does not provide mitigating circumstances for not completing such course(s), will be charged an overpayment equal to the amount of ALL of the tuition & fees, BAH and Yellow Ribbon, if applicable, paid for such course(s) for that period of enrollment.

VA will determine the amount of overpayment of chapter 33 benefits and notify the student.

Student will keep the full book stipend paid if they attend at least one class session.

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Overpayment of BenefitsOverpayment of Benefits

Six credit hour exclusion still applies to first reduction or withdrawal

If mitigating circumstances exist, student may be due partial payment of

– Tuition and fees (and Yellow Ribbon) prorated to date last attended for complete withdrawals and end of the month for reductions

– Housing allowance paid until end of month in which the reduction or withdrawal occurred

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Overpayment of Benefits (Contd)

In most cases, overpayments will not be collected during the due process period, which is 30 days from the day of notification.

Bottom Line: Students with existing overpayments on their record may attend schools; however, their benefit payments (including Tuition and Fees) may be applied to the overpayment until it is repaid.

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Overpayment of Benefits (Cont’d)

The student is responsible for any overpayment incurred as a result of not completing the course(s)

If an overpayment is charged, the student will make repayment

arrangements with VA’s Debt Management Center (DMC) regardless of whether or not a refund was received from the school

If the student does not complete a course, schools should follow their established student refund policy

Important: Tuition and Fees payments are paid to the school on behalf of the student; overpayments for Tuition and Fees will be charged to the student.

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Only If the student never attends a course the school returns the payment to VA

Returned payments must include the student identification information as well as the intended quarter, semester, or term for which the payment was made

If the school must return a paper check, they should send the uncashed check to:

US Dept of TreasuryFinancial Management ServicesPO Box 51318Philadelphia PA 19115-6316

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If the school is returning an electronic funds payment (direct deposit) schools may refund VA electronically via Automated Clearing House (ACH).

To do so, schools should request their bank return the full payment using an R23 ACH code.

Each bank has its own procedures and time constraints for returning direct deposit payments. Check with your bank for specific instructions.

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Overpayment of BenefitsOverpayment of Benefits

If an individual is “called up” to active duty, VA will restore entitlement if the individual does not receive credit for the course. In these instances VA will—

NOT charge an overpayment for chapter 33 tuition and fees payment or Yellow Ribbon benefits for the certified enrollment period;

– Not charge an overpayment of the book stipend for the enrollment period; and

– Discontinue the monthly housing allowance at the end of the month during which the individual last attended.

NOTE: Have the student submit a copy of their DD Form 214 upon return from their call up.

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Transfer of Entitlement & Transfer of Entitlement & OverpaymentsOverpayments

IMPORTANT !!

– Transferor and individual using transferred entitlement are jointly liable for any overpayment of chapter 33 benefits

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Next: Yellow Ribbon

QUESTIONS?

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Yellow RibbonYellow Ribbon

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Yellow Ribbon Program

• Institutions may voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition and fee costs that exceed the highest publicpublic in-state undergraduate tuition and fees for:

− Training at private institutions− Graduate training− Out-of-state tuition

• Only Individuals entitled at the 100% benefit level, including Transfer of Entitlement recipients, may receive this funding

• VA will match each additional dollar that an institution contributes toward the student’s tuition costs, up to 50% of the difference between the student’s Ch33 payment & the total cost of tuition and fees.

• Must be awarded on a “first come, first served” based on the number of students in each category. (ie 100 students total with 25 allotted to the School of Law & 75 for students from the College of Education).

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Yellow Ribbon Program (Cont’d)

Can I choose to indicate the number of students and the dollar amount for each line on block 7 of the Agreement?

- Yes, schools can indicate the number of students that can participate and specify contributions based on student statusstudent status (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral) and college or professional school.

Can I choose to award Y.R. for specific degree programs? Can I choose day undergrad & not evening undergrad students? Can I choose to exclude

out-of-state or part-time students?

- No. You cannot differentiate contributions by degree.The subcategory must be chosen by 7b Undergraduate, Graduate or Doctoral and/or 7c by college or professional school.

How do I determine an amount when I don’t know how much 09-10 tuition & fees will be? Can agreements be amended when the 09-10 rates come out?

- Choose the flat amount that best fits your choice for contribution considering the 2008-2009 highest maximum tuition and fees as well as your school’s planned budget.

- No, agreements cannot be amended once signed and approved by VA.

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Can I establish a deadline each year for students to submit applications for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

- Yes. Although you are required to offer the Yellow Ribbon Program to your students on a “first come, first served” basis, you may establish policy detailing how this will be implemented, which may include an application deadline.

- The policy should be clearly documented and communicated to your students.

- Students who participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program during one academic year must be offered Yellow Ribbon Program benefits throughout their education at the school as long as the following apply:

The school continues to participate in the program, The student remains in good academic standing, and The student has remaining entitlement.

BUT: You may change the amount you choose to contribute to a student when you sign a You may change the amount you choose to contribute to a student when you sign a

new agreement for a new academic year.new agreement for a new academic year.

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How does VA interpret the terms “Direct Grant” and “Scholarship” in Question 5 of the Agreement?

- The law requires you to tell us how you will provide the contribution.

- Yellow Ribbon Program contributions cannot be:

1. Loans 2. Funds received directly or indirectly from Federal sources

(including Title IV funds), or 3. Funds from a third party that are not under the “unrestricted

control” of the school.

- The term "unrestricted funds" refers to funding that is available to the IHL without any conditions on its use (i.e., designated for use by a specific individual or a specific group of individuals).

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Yellow Ribbon Information will be displayed on the GI Bill website in the section where students can search for approved schools and will show:

– Participating Institutions of Higher Learning

– Maximum Yellow Ribbon Payment information

– Maximum number of participants at the IHL

Students were able to begin searching for institutions that are participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program on June 16, 2009

EXAMPLE: IHL agreed to pay $1,000 during the academic year for each Yellow Ribbon student. – Jim’s tuition and fees for Fall ’09 are $6,500. VA pays maximum

in-State T&F of $4,000 as chapter 33 benefit. – $2500 remaining, School Yellow Ribbon contribution is $1,000,

VA contributes $1,000. Jim must pay remainder of $500.– Jim has used maximum contribution from school for academic

year.

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Participating schools will offer Yellow Ribbon to eligible students on a “first come, first served basis.”

VA-Once modifications have been made to allow schools to certify student’s tuition and fees separately, and to enter the Yellow Ribbon contribution amount.

VA will verify student’s eligibility and process payments. Note: Yellow Ribbon paid as lump sum to school

VA will provide notification to student, including decision regarding Yellow Ribbon.

VA will make Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposits for the Yellow Ribbon amount along with the tuition and fee payment directly to the school’s financial account.

Yellow Ribbon Program Yellow Ribbon Program Certification ProcessCertification Process

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ReferencesReferences

GI Bill Website (www.gibill.va.gov)

- Sign up for FAQ updates!

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GI Bill Hotline: 1-888-GIBILL-1

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U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs 2009 The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

Documents

Transcript of U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs 2009 The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.