VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Regional Processing Office Chapter 33 Fiscals March 27, 2015

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Agenda Chapter 33 Debts Student debts vs. School Debts Role of Regional Processing Office (RPO) in debt process 1

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Chapter 33 Debts The following actions will result in a Chapter 33 debt Terminations Reductions/Adjustments Amendments Incorrect Amount Certified to VA VA Processing Errors 2

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Student withdraws AFTER the first day of the term Student reduces hours whether the reduction occurs before or during the term Student changes enrollment and school reports a reduction in tuition, fees, and/or Yellow Ribbon due to student action 3 Student Debts

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Student never attended Student completely withdraws ON or BEFORE first day of term School amends tuition and fees (not based on student action) School receives duplicate payment or payment for student not attending VA issues incorrect payment amount Student dies during or before the term 4 School Debts

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Schools should return money to VA for situations resulting in a school debt; money should not be returned until the school receives a letter showing the actual debt amount All other overages to a student’s account should be refunded to the student in accordance with the school’s established refund policy Payments to VA to offset school debts should included identifying student information 5 School Debts

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Initially each RPO was responsible for returned payments and debt processing for their respective jurisdictions In an effort to improve efficiency, returned payment processing consolidated to the Muskogee RPO in January 2012 In April 2013, inquiries and disputes related to school debts consolidated to Debt Management Center (DMC ) 6 Role of RPO in Debt Process

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION DMC reviews disputes to determine the validity of a school debt Disputes are referred to the RPO of jurisdiction if:  DMC unable to determine the validity of the debt  Debt appears invalid 7 Role of RPO in Debt Process

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION RPO reviews referrals for debt validation and/or corrective action Corrections may require action by RPO Finance personnel Outcome of RPO review returned to school via DMC 8 Role of RPO in Debt Process

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 9 Questions?