VFW Training Conference Terry Warren, Education
Description: VFW Training Conference Terry Warren, Education Service Veterans Benefits Administration November 2019 Veterans Benefits Administration Education Service Education Service Mission Highlights Education Benefits Overview Colmery Act
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slide1. VFW Training Conference Terry Warren, Education Service Veterans Benefits Administration November 2019 Veterans Benefits Administration Education Service<br>
slide2. Education Service Mission & Highlights
Education Benefits Overview
Colmery Act –
Highlights
VET TEC
STEM
Reset
Communication Initiatives
Tools for Students 2 Overview<br>
slide3. 3 Education Service’s Mission Mission
To provide ready access to and timely & accurate delivery of education benefits to Veterans, Service members, and their families.
Effective and efficient claims processing
Creating the informed consumer
Protecting the integrity of GI Bill benefits
Stakeholders
Stakeholders and clients of the programs administered by Education Service include educational institutions, State Approving Agencies (SAA), Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), and other Federal and private sector partners<br>
slide4. Education Service Highlights Over 43,000 Campuses approved (Main, Branch, Extension) Over 400,000 Individual Approved Programs Average Days to Complete Education Claims 28 days Original applications 14 days Enrollments (each academic term) Payment accuracy > 98% Post- 9/11 GI Bill by far the largest education benefit Since inception (Aug 2009), $101.B to over 2.1 million trainees Administers 6 educational benefits programs
Processes approximately 4 million claims each year
Distributes $12B/year to 1 million beneficiaries
Benefits support students at approved IHL, NCD, Apprenticeship, On Job Training, Correspondent, and Flight institutions and training facilities Fast Facts 4<br>
slide5. Benefits Overview VA Education benefits advance the education and skills of Veterans, Service members, Family Members and Survivors according to the following eligibility standards:
Post-9/11 GI Bill – At least 90 days aggregate active duty service after 9/10/2001, and either still on active duty, honorably discharged, discharged because of a service-connected disability after 30 days, or a purple heart recipient
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program – Available to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to service-related conditions, and of Veterans who died while on active duty or as the result of a service-related condition
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty – Enrollees pay $100/month for 12 months to receive monthly Education benefits after completing a minimum service obligation 5<br>
slide6. Benefits Overview Montgomery GI Bill Select Reserve – For Reservists with a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve who are actively drilling
Veterans Educational Assistance Program – For Veterans who entered service between 1/1/77 and 6/30/85, contributed between $25 and $2,700, with other than a dishonorable discharge
Reserve Educational Assistance Program – For Reservists activated at least 90 days after 9/10/2001
Due to Congressional mandate, VA can only grant REAP eligibility to those enrolled in school on November 24, 2015, or during their school’s last term, quarter, or semester ending prior to that date. The program expires on November 25, 2019 6<br>
slide7. VA Education Service – By the Numbers 7 Total FTE – 1,868
VA Central Office (VACO) – 109
Approval, Compliance & Liaison (AC&L) – 167 (ELRs, management and support)
Education Call Center (ECC) – 295
Regional Processing Office (RPO) Staff – 1,297 (VCEs, management & support) Regional Processing Offices<br>
slide8. 8 Forever GI Bill The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, also known as the “Forever GI Bill,” brings significant changes to VA education benefits. Most changes enhance or expand education benefits for Veterans, service members, families and survivors. Signed August 16, 2017 – the most comprehensive changes to GI Bill benefits since enactment of the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
13 provisions were effective upon enactment; 18 were effective by August 1, 2018; 3 provisions are effective by 2022.
Implemented 25 out of 31 education related provisions Expanded educational assistance Eliminated Time Limit for Using Benefits. The 15-year time limit is gone for those who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013. Veterans will now be able to access their benefit when the time is right for them and their families.
Purple Heart Recipients are Assured Full Benefits. Servicemembers and honorably discharged Veterans awarded a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, are entitled to Post-9/11 benefits at the 100 percent benefit level for up to 36 months.
On August 1, 2020, Benefit Levels Will Expand. The 40 percent benefit level will be eliminated, and the 60 percent level expanded under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Enhanced Benefits<br>
slide9. Eligibility Restoral for REAP Sunset
Sent letter and election form to over 3,000
Transferred 1,923 months to Chapter 33
Restoration of Entitlement
Applications Received: 4,223
Restorations: 2,056
Entitlement Restored: Over 16,000 months
Independent Study at non-IHLs
Information available on GI Bill Comparison Tool
Offered at over 1,000 schools 9 Colmery Act Highlights<br>
slide10. Launched February 2019
5-year pilot program for eligible Veterans to help them secure meaningful employment in the talent-hungry tech sector
$15 million annual funding based on pay-for-success model
Continuing to seek Training Providers
29 Programs Approved; 22 with Preference
Veteran application (22-1999) available on VA.gov
Over 8,000 applications; First students have earned their certificates and entered the workforce 10 Colmery Act Highlights - VET TEC<br>
slide11. 11 VET TEC - Veteran Path<br>
slide12. Up to nine extra months of benefits (may not exceed $30,000) for Science/Technology/Engineering/Math Programs, if a student
Is currently enrolled in a STEM program requiring more than 120 semester (or 180 quarter) hours
Has completed 60 standard semester (or 90 quarter) hours
Additional benefits can’t be transferred to dependents
Priority given to those entitled to 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and to those who require the most credit hours 12 Rogers STEM Scholarship<br>
slide13. Section 501 – Aligns Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) with Department of Defense Basic Allowance for Housing rates
Reduced MHA rate for those who first use Post-9/11 GI Bill on/after January 1, 2018.
Section 107 – Calculate MHA based on campus location where the student physically attends a majority of classes
Previously paid based on the location of the school.
December 2019 – Sections 107 and 501 Implemented
Spring 2020 enrollments processed according to Colmery Act
Section 107 Retroactive Payments
Schools will begin to submit enrollment certifications for affected students
VA will begin to send retroactive payment during Spring 2020 term—back to the August 1, 2018 effective date. 13 Colmery Act - Reset<br>
slide14. Section 107: What to Know Section 107: Effective August 1, 2018, a student's Monthly Housing Allowance is calculated based on the main, branch or extension campus location where they physically attend the majority of their classes. Some students were actually attending the majority of their classes at an extension campus, and therefore received incorrect housing payments. All previously submitted claims impacted by 107 from August 1, 2018 to December 1, 2019 will need to be re-adjudicated. Branch Campus Main Campus Extension Campus A location of an educational institution that is geographically apart from and operationally independent of the main campus of the educational institution; has its own administration; and offers courses leading to a degree or other recognized education credential. A location where the primary teaching facilities of an educational institution are located. VA currently defines “extension campus” as a location of an educational institution that is geographically apart from and is operationally dependent on the main campus or a branch campus of the educational institution.<br>
slide15. 15 Section 501: What to Know Section 501: Effective January 1, 2018, for those using the Post-9/11 GI Bill for the first time after that date, student's rates set to the slightly lower Department of Defense’s E-5 With Dependents Basic Allowance Housing (BAH) rate.<br>
slide16. IT development work is ongoing
Build 1 and Build 2 complete
Cycle of design, development, test until final product is ready for users
Extension Campus Data live in VA Systems
As of August 5, schools can submit enrollment certifications for classes beginning on or after December 1
Significant communications push to support – multiple webinars; 25 virtual/in-person demos
Coordinating with schools and State Approving Agencies for missing Extensions; 2nd upload in October 16 Colmery Act - Reset<br>
slide17. Colmery Communication Strategy 17 17 D A C B Student Guide
Messaging on upcoming rate changes RPO Broadcast
VCE front-line engagement School Tour
National visits across 7 states:
Resource Fair; Townhall, Focus Groups, 1:1 with Deans, 1:1 with SCOs, SVA /VSO engagement Continue to keep stakeholders informed and engaged. Communications will not slow down after implementation. SVA National Conference Retroactive Payments / Debts Waived Letters to GI Bill Students Stakeholder Roundtables and Focus Groups: Gathered stakeholder feedback and set expectations for consistent communications with stakeholders Go-Live Announcement Conferences
National Assoc. of Veterans’ Program Administrators RallyPoint Q&A/Media Engagement
Leadership interviews December 1
Go-Live 2019 2020 Focus Groups<br>
slide18. Tools for Students GI Bill® Comparison Tool
Find a school and determine GI Bill benefits while attending
Website: https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool
GI Bill® Feedback System
Provides avenue for student complaints concerning non-compliant POE schools
Website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp
Website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Information on how to apply for education benefits
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gibillEducation
Provides a forum for EDU information updates to over 106K followers
Education Call Center – 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) 18 18<br>
slide19. Thank you<br>
slide2. Education Service Mission & Highlights
Education Benefits Overview
Colmery Act –
Highlights
VET TEC
STEM
Reset
Communication Initiatives
Tools for Students 2 Overview<br>
slide3. 3 Education Service’s Mission Mission
To provide ready access to and timely & accurate delivery of education benefits to Veterans, Service members, and their families.
Effective and efficient claims processing
Creating the informed consumer
Protecting the integrity of GI Bill benefits
Stakeholders
Stakeholders and clients of the programs administered by Education Service include educational institutions, State Approving Agencies (SAA), Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), and other Federal and private sector partners<br>
slide4. Education Service Highlights Over 43,000 Campuses approved (Main, Branch, Extension) Over 400,000 Individual Approved Programs Average Days to Complete Education Claims 28 days Original applications 14 days Enrollments (each academic term) Payment accuracy > 98% Post- 9/11 GI Bill by far the largest education benefit Since inception (Aug 2009), $101.B to over 2.1 million trainees Administers 6 educational benefits programs
Processes approximately 4 million claims each year
Distributes $12B/year to 1 million beneficiaries
Benefits support students at approved IHL, NCD, Apprenticeship, On Job Training, Correspondent, and Flight institutions and training facilities Fast Facts 4<br>
slide5. Benefits Overview VA Education benefits advance the education and skills of Veterans, Service members, Family Members and Survivors according to the following eligibility standards:
Post-9/11 GI Bill – At least 90 days aggregate active duty service after 9/10/2001, and either still on active duty, honorably discharged, discharged because of a service-connected disability after 30 days, or a purple heart recipient
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program – Available to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to service-related conditions, and of Veterans who died while on active duty or as the result of a service-related condition
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty – Enrollees pay $100/month for 12 months to receive monthly Education benefits after completing a minimum service obligation 5<br>
slide6. Benefits Overview Montgomery GI Bill Select Reserve – For Reservists with a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve who are actively drilling
Veterans Educational Assistance Program – For Veterans who entered service between 1/1/77 and 6/30/85, contributed between $25 and $2,700, with other than a dishonorable discharge
Reserve Educational Assistance Program – For Reservists activated at least 90 days after 9/10/2001
Due to Congressional mandate, VA can only grant REAP eligibility to those enrolled in school on November 24, 2015, or during their school’s last term, quarter, or semester ending prior to that date. The program expires on November 25, 2019 6<br>
slide7. VA Education Service – By the Numbers 7 Total FTE – 1,868
VA Central Office (VACO) – 109
Approval, Compliance & Liaison (AC&L) – 167 (ELRs, management and support)
Education Call Center (ECC) – 295
Regional Processing Office (RPO) Staff – 1,297 (VCEs, management & support) Regional Processing Offices<br>
slide8. 8 Forever GI Bill The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, also known as the “Forever GI Bill,” brings significant changes to VA education benefits. Most changes enhance or expand education benefits for Veterans, service members, families and survivors. Signed August 16, 2017 – the most comprehensive changes to GI Bill benefits since enactment of the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
13 provisions were effective upon enactment; 18 were effective by August 1, 2018; 3 provisions are effective by 2022.
Implemented 25 out of 31 education related provisions Expanded educational assistance Eliminated Time Limit for Using Benefits. The 15-year time limit is gone for those who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013. Veterans will now be able to access their benefit when the time is right for them and their families.
Purple Heart Recipients are Assured Full Benefits. Servicemembers and honorably discharged Veterans awarded a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, are entitled to Post-9/11 benefits at the 100 percent benefit level for up to 36 months.
On August 1, 2020, Benefit Levels Will Expand. The 40 percent benefit level will be eliminated, and the 60 percent level expanded under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Enhanced Benefits<br>
slide9. Eligibility Restoral for REAP Sunset
Sent letter and election form to over 3,000
Transferred 1,923 months to Chapter 33
Restoration of Entitlement
Applications Received: 4,223
Restorations: 2,056
Entitlement Restored: Over 16,000 months
Independent Study at non-IHLs
Information available on GI Bill Comparison Tool
Offered at over 1,000 schools 9 Colmery Act Highlights<br>
slide10. Launched February 2019
5-year pilot program for eligible Veterans to help them secure meaningful employment in the talent-hungry tech sector
$15 million annual funding based on pay-for-success model
Continuing to seek Training Providers
29 Programs Approved; 22 with Preference
Veteran application (22-1999) available on VA.gov
Over 8,000 applications; First students have earned their certificates and entered the workforce 10 Colmery Act Highlights - VET TEC<br>
slide11. 11 VET TEC - Veteran Path<br>
slide12. Up to nine extra months of benefits (may not exceed $30,000) for Science/Technology/Engineering/Math Programs, if a student
Is currently enrolled in a STEM program requiring more than 120 semester (or 180 quarter) hours
Has completed 60 standard semester (or 90 quarter) hours
Additional benefits can’t be transferred to dependents
Priority given to those entitled to 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and to those who require the most credit hours 12 Rogers STEM Scholarship<br>
slide13. Section 501 – Aligns Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) with Department of Defense Basic Allowance for Housing rates
Reduced MHA rate for those who first use Post-9/11 GI Bill on/after January 1, 2018.
Section 107 – Calculate MHA based on campus location where the student physically attends a majority of classes
Previously paid based on the location of the school.
December 2019 – Sections 107 and 501 Implemented
Spring 2020 enrollments processed according to Colmery Act
Section 107 Retroactive Payments
Schools will begin to submit enrollment certifications for affected students
VA will begin to send retroactive payment during Spring 2020 term—back to the August 1, 2018 effective date. 13 Colmery Act - Reset<br>
slide14. Section 107: What to Know Section 107: Effective August 1, 2018, a student's Monthly Housing Allowance is calculated based on the main, branch or extension campus location where they physically attend the majority of their classes. Some students were actually attending the majority of their classes at an extension campus, and therefore received incorrect housing payments. All previously submitted claims impacted by 107 from August 1, 2018 to December 1, 2019 will need to be re-adjudicated. Branch Campus Main Campus Extension Campus A location of an educational institution that is geographically apart from and operationally independent of the main campus of the educational institution; has its own administration; and offers courses leading to a degree or other recognized education credential. A location where the primary teaching facilities of an educational institution are located. VA currently defines “extension campus” as a location of an educational institution that is geographically apart from and is operationally dependent on the main campus or a branch campus of the educational institution.<br>
slide15. 15 Section 501: What to Know Section 501: Effective January 1, 2018, for those using the Post-9/11 GI Bill for the first time after that date, student's rates set to the slightly lower Department of Defense’s E-5 With Dependents Basic Allowance Housing (BAH) rate.<br>
slide16. IT development work is ongoing
Build 1 and Build 2 complete
Cycle of design, development, test until final product is ready for users
Extension Campus Data live in VA Systems
As of August 5, schools can submit enrollment certifications for classes beginning on or after December 1
Significant communications push to support – multiple webinars; 25 virtual/in-person demos
Coordinating with schools and State Approving Agencies for missing Extensions; 2nd upload in October 16 Colmery Act - Reset<br>
slide17. Colmery Communication Strategy 17 17 D A C B Student Guide
Messaging on upcoming rate changes RPO Broadcast
VCE front-line engagement School Tour
National visits across 7 states:
Resource Fair; Townhall, Focus Groups, 1:1 with Deans, 1:1 with SCOs, SVA /VSO engagement Continue to keep stakeholders informed and engaged. Communications will not slow down after implementation. SVA National Conference Retroactive Payments / Debts Waived Letters to GI Bill Students Stakeholder Roundtables and Focus Groups: Gathered stakeholder feedback and set expectations for consistent communications with stakeholders Go-Live Announcement Conferences
National Assoc. of Veterans’ Program Administrators RallyPoint Q&A/Media Engagement
Leadership interviews December 1
Go-Live 2019 2020 Focus Groups<br>
slide18. Tools for Students GI Bill® Comparison Tool
Find a school and determine GI Bill benefits while attending
Website: https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool
GI Bill® Feedback System
Provides avenue for student complaints concerning non-compliant POE schools
Website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp
Website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Information on how to apply for education benefits
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gibillEducation
Provides a forum for EDU information updates to over 106K followers
Education Call Center – 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) 18 18<br>
slide19. Thank you<br>