Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Dave Bellefeuille Director of Education and Employment Higher Education Veterans Programs (HEVP) State Approving Agency (SAA)

Higher Education Veterans Programs  Created in 2006  Goal: To assist Veterans, current military members and their families, with their higher education needs so they are able to succeed in their chosen careers.  Mission: Provide Veterans with a seamless transition from a successful military career, through approved education and training programs, resulting in a career with permanent, full-time employment.  Support Minnesota institutes of higher learning with operational readiness

Who We Are  13 Regional Coordinators cover entire state  We have a presence at all public institutions and most privates  55 Campus Veterans Resource Centers 

What We Provide  Education Benefit Assistance  Federal GI Bill (5 GI Bill’s, OJT/Apprenticeship)  Training/Outreach (161 events/over 23,000 attendees)  Participate in MNNG Pre/Post Deployment (30/60/90 day events) for MN units  Referrals to Partner agencies (MN National Guard, CVSO, WorkForce Centers, DEED, MAC-V, MnSCU, Federal VA, etc.)  MN GI Bill  Comprehensive website containing up to date veteran resources (mymilitaryeducation.org)

On-the-Job & Apprenticeship Training  Can be used with both Federal GI Bill and MN GI Bill  On-the-job training (OJT) is training employees receive while performing a job and earning wages (Job Certification).  6 months to 2 years o Examples: Police Officer, Highway Patrol Officer, Jailer, Mechanic  Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related technical instruction (Journeyman Status upon completion).  3 years to 5 years o Examples: Machinist, Ironworker, Electrician, Carpenter, Plumber, Power Line Worker

Minnesota GI Bill  2 tiered system; IHL and OJT/Apprenticeship programs  $6M budgeted annually for the program  2,042 application for 2015 school year  1,783 applications received for 2016 school year to date  OJT/Apprenticeship program has 44 employers and 375 employees actively using the program  Honorably discharged veteran or dependent eligible to receive Ch 35 or Ch 33 (if Vet has died or has a total and permanent disability as a direct result of service)  MN resident (as defined by MN Statute 136A.101, subd. 8)  Attending a MN institution or approved OJT program in MN  Maximum benefit: o $1K/semester (full-time), $1K/year OJT o $3K/fiscal year o $10K lifetime  “Last Dollar In:” Cost of attendance minus Aid and Benefits

State Approving Agency  Goal: To ensure the quality of a Veteran’s education and training (OJT/ Apprenticeship and higher education) and to monitor the programs that meet license and certification requirements.  One branch of a 3 tiered system (HEVP and Education Liaison Rep (ELR))  SAA provides compliance to ensure fairness in meeting Federal VA requirements (ensure students are charged same amount not more for those receiving GI Bill benefits)  HEVP provides access to benefits  ELR ensures certifications are correct (Federal VA position housed in Whipple Building)

State Approving Agency  Number of Facilities:  286 certified facilities (over 13K people utilizing 2,530 higher education and OJT/Apprenticeship programs)  60 public facilities  225 private facilities  15 new facilities last year

Questions?