Veterans Educational and Transfer Services (VETS) Center Phillip Nichelson Veterans Specialist October 2, 2016 Green Zone Training

Overview Purpose Cohorts Veterans’ Benefits Advising Veterans Veteran Descriptions Situational Awareness

Purpose This training is designed to help faculty and staff members support success and promote advocacy of military associated students. The end result is to increase military associated student success in academia (increase student retention and graduation).

Cohorts Active duty and reserve military personnel Former military personnel (veterans) Spouses and dependents of current and former military personnel (dependents)

Active Duty / Reserve Military Personnel May be using any of the following benefits: –Tuition Assistance –U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits –State Benefits –Normal student financial assistance (Financial Aid and Scholarships) –Self funded

Former Military Personnel (veterans) May be using any of the following benefits: –VA Educational Benefits –State Benefits (Hazlewood Exemption) –Normal student financial assistance (Financial Aid and Scholarships) –Self funded

Spouses and Dependents of current and former military personnel May be using any of the following benefits: –VA Educational Benefits –State Benefits (Hazlewood Exemption) –Normal student financial assistance –Self funded

Veterans’ Benefits Federal: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits State: Texas Veterans Benefits

VA Educational Benefits: Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill ® Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill ® Chapter 33T Post-9/11 Transfer of Eligibility Chapter 35 Dependents Educational Assistance Chapter 1606 MGIB Selected Reserve GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The absence of the registration symbol ® does not constitute a waiver of VA’s trademark rights in that phrase.”

Montgomery GI Bill ® (CH30) The VA pays the veteran student who is responsible for paying the school. Full time students receive $ per month (on accrual – meaning at the end of the month). Benefits are reduced if the student is enrolled less than full time. On line classes do not affect the benefits.

Vocational Rehabilitation (CH31) The VA pays the student’s tuition and non- elective fees directly to the school. Full time students receive $ per month (on accrual) for living expenses. Benefits are reduced if the student is enrolled at less than full time. **Student must take at least one resident course per term to get the full allowance. Benefits are reduced if the student’s classes are online (Distance Education).

Post-9/11 GI Bill ® (CH33) The VA pays the student’s tuition and non- elective fees directly to the school. Full time students receive $ per month (on accrual) for living expenses. Benefits are reduced if the student is enrolled at less than full time (Based on Rate of Pursuit). Benefits are reduced if the students classes are online (Distance Education). GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The absence of the registration symbol ® does not constitute a waiver of VA’s trademark rights in that phrase.”

Post-9/11 GI Bill ® Transfer of Eligibility (CH33T) The VA pays the student’s tuition and non- elective fees directly to the school. Full time students receive $ per month (on accrual) for living expenses. Benefits are reduced if the student is enrolled at less than full time (Based on Rate of Pursuit). Benefits are reduced if the students classes are online (Distance Education).

Dependents Educational Assistance (CH35) The VA pays the dependent student who is responsible for paying the school. Full time students receive $ per month (on accrual) for living expenses. This is reduced if the student is enrolled at less than full time. On line classes do not affect the benefits.

Montgomery GI Bill ® - Selected Reserve (CH1606) The VA pays the reservist who is responsible for paying the school. Full time students receive $ per month (on accrual) for living expenses. Benefits are reduced if the student is enrolled at less than full time. Benefits are reduced if the students classes are online (Distance Education).

Texas’ Veterans Benefits Texas Veterans Commission - Hazlewood Exemption –The VETS Center does not administer the Hazlewood Exemption. It is administered by the Bursars Office. –Exempts the student’s tuition and some fees (not the Student Service Fee or any elective fees). Texas National Guard members are eligible for tuition reimbursement.

Advising Veterans –Degree Plans –Full Time / Part Time Status –Class Attendance –Changes

Degree Plans The VETS Center (and Student Accounts) use hardcopy Degree Plan worksheets to record classes, terms, and grades. A student may not retake a course or fulfill a degree requirement twice (though there are Exceptions). RAMPORT Degree Evaluation allows it The VA knows about the Degree Evaluation function and it is NOT permitted.

Full Time / Part Time Status The number of SCH enrolled per term affects VA educational benefits. Montgomery, DEA, and MGIB-SR all step down, 75% benefits if ¾ time, 50% benefits if ½ time, only tuition and fees if less than ½ time. Post-9/11 (veterans and transferred entitlement) use a rate of pursuit calculation (e.g. 7 SCH/12 SCH = 58%). **Less than ½ time rates NO housing allowance

Class Attendance VA Educational Benefit users are basically being paid to go to school Attendance is expected If a student fails a course, professors report Last Date of Activity/Attendance (LDA) LDA is reported to the VA and the student may be charged a prorated amount for tuition and overpayment of allowance. Correct reporting of LDA is CRITICAL.

Changes If a student using VA Educational Benefits adjusts their enrollment this must be reported to the VETS Center. –A dropped course will require a adjustment to the student’s certification. –An added course, not reported, will not be paid for or recognized by the VA. –A swapped course may cause a change in allowance. This may cause the student to owe the VA a debt.

Veteran Descriptions: –Older / Non-traditional Students –Consumers of Educational Services –Developed Leaders –Challenges

Situational Awareness Accommodations Indications and Warning –Post Traumatic Stress Disorder –Traumatic Brain Injury You are not emergency services

Questions? (325) VETS (8387)