Donald S. Pfeffer, Director Higher Education Veterans Programs

Reliance of Guard/Reserve Forces for Deployments Percent currently deployed by type of service (June ’09) ActiveGuard/Reserve Mississippi28%72% Minnesota46%54% Texas85%15% National Average72%28% Source:

MN Higher Education Legislation Higher Education Fairness and Assistance for Public Institutions Resident Tuition Status Undergraduate Graduate Delayed Tuition Payment Tuition payment extensions granted. No late fees or denial of course enrollment Course Options for Deployments “Space” for Veterans on Campus Staff for Campus Veterans Assistance Benefit and Service Information and Assistance

Higher Education Veterans Programs Created by MDVA in 2006 with mission to: ASSIST MN Public Colleges and Universities Create on -campus Veterans Resource Centers Develop “veterans friendly” policies/procedures Deferred tuition/fee payment Residency status Military transfer credits Coordinate on/off campus veterans higher education information and services for students Private Colleges Encouraged to Participate

Higher Education Veterans Programs Desired Outcome is for Veterans, Military Members and their Families: Start College … Succeed in College … Complete College … To Obtain Their Career Goals! Minnesota received more than $62 Million Dollars in Veterans and Military funding for Higher Education in 2008

Higher Education Veterans Programs FIRST and ONLY program of its kind –parts replicated in other states Coordinated Services available to ALL Minnesota Colleges and Universities MN Colleges and Universities develop programming with their own funds Serve All Military branches and their families Member of the MN Army National Guard Reintegration Team

Higher Education Veterans Programs Calendar Year 2008 Twelve Regional Coordinators 59 Campus Veterans Resource Centers 5,100+ Individuals Served College and Community Training Reintegration Activities

Higher Education Veterans Programs Call Center MyMilitaryEducation.org Operators on Duty 7 days a Week 7 AM to 9 PM Monday- Friday 10 AM to 3:30 PM Sat/Sun On-line, Call In or Live Chat Frequently Asked Questions 3,000 contacts per month

Where do You Go to Get Help?

Veterans Needing Academic Assistance Free program for veterans needing remedial coursework in reading, writing, math, computer skills, and/or study skills. Students can enroll weekly, and take the full curriculum or only needed courses. Veteran is eligible for full VA benefits. For more information, contact: Minneapolis Community and Technical College Anoka Ramsey Community College

Current Tobacco Use Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

High-Risk Drinking Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

Diagnosis of Any Mental Health Condition - Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

Diagnosed With Panic Attacks Within Past 12 Months Diagnosed With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Within Past 12 Months Diagnosed Mental Health Condition - Past 12 Months Veterans by Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Service Status and Gender (8)

Depression Diagnosis - Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

Sexual Assault - Past-12 months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

Physical Fight - Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

Domestic Violence - Past 12 Months Veterans and All Students by Gender (8)

Questions

Service Member Education Benefits Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) MN GI Bill State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Chapter Selected Reserve Chapter 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Chapter 33 – Post 911 GI Bill Disabled Veteran - 20% or More Disability Chapter 31 – Voc. Rehab and Employment

Dependent Education Benefits Free Application for Student Aid State of Minnesota State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) - Spouse Only Federal Active Duty (Title 10 Deployment) Chapter 33 – Dependent Option Chapter % Disabled Veteran – Dependents National Program MyCAA – Spouse Only

Minnesota GI Bill, M.S Active duty since Sept. 11, 2001 or 5 consecutive years Guard/Reserve MN resident; MN college/university Maximum benefit: $1K/semester (full-time) $3K/fiscal year $10K lifetime “ Cost of attendance minus Aid and Benefits” For information: ary ary Service Member Education Benefits

State Tuition Reimbursement Pays up to 100% of tuition upon successful coursework completion Pays Tuition, but NOT Fees Maximum reimbursement is 100% of the undergraduate rate of the U of M Lifetime maximum STR benefit is 144 Semester credits Notify Unit prior to start of classes and submit Grades and Fee statement upon completion

Dependent Education Benefits State Tuition Reimbursement Spouses are authorized to use the remaining balance of a service member’s STR Spouse can use up to 12 semester credits per year The Member must have accumulated 8 years of qualifying service in the MANG. Payments will be direct deposited into the Member’s bank account Obligation and Payment requests will work the same as for a Member

Service Member Education Benefits Federal Tuition Assistance Non Deployed Enlisted and Officer Guard Members Funds up to 100% of tuition and most fees to a maximum amount Paid directly to the college and eligible members CAN use FTA with MGIB-AD. Maximum benefit is $4,500 per Fiscal Year (FY) Oct 1 to Sep 30. First come - first served, not guaranteed Service member initiates - conditions apply! Apply:

Service Member Education Benefits Federal Tuition Assistance for AGR and Deployed Enlisted Soldier’s thru Army Continuing Education System (ACES ) Funds up to 100% of tuition plus most fees Pays up to a maximum amount per credit Maximum benefit is $4,500 per Fiscal Year (FY) Oct 1 to Sep 30. To Apply For information Contact Rock Island Education Center (309)

Service Member Education Benefits Chapter Selected Reserve (SR) This Montgomery GI Bill provides: up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserve. doesn't require a person to serve on active duty in the regular Armed Forces to qualify. Can be used by member separated from the Reserve component if they are eligible for Chapter 1607.

Chapter 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)This Montgomery GI Bill provides: Provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress. Generally, a member of a Reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10, U.S. Code, for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation, is eligible for REAP. No specific time frame to use REAP - Eligibility generally ends upon leaving the Selected Reserves. Service Member Education Benefits

 College, Business, Technical or Vocational school  Tuition Assistance: “Top-Up”  On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship Programs  Correspondence Courses  Remedial, Deficiency, and Refresher Training (in some cases)  Flight Training (in some cases)  The cost of tests for licenses or certifications needed to get, keep, or advance in a job  National Tests Provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for: Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty Service Member Education Benefits

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) The Post-9/11 G I Bill consists of three components: Tuition & fee payment Paid directly to the institution. In Minnesota, pays up to $326/credit for tuition & $4,359/term for fees Additional expenses may be covered at participating Yellow Ribbon institutions Housing stipend Paid directly to the student based on the zip code of the institution Equivalent to the BAH rate for an E-5 w/dependents Must be training at greater than ½ time and have at least one course on-campus to qualify for the housing stipend Books & supplies Paid directly to the student Prorated to about $42/credit up to $1,000/year Service Member Education Benefits

Post 911 GI Bill Eligibility Active service after September 10, 2001 At least 90 days (entry & skill training excluded for 24 mo. or less) 30 days if discharged due to service connected disability Cumulative post-9/11 active service determines % of benefit Make an irrevocable election of Chapter 33 and relinquish eligibility for one other qualifying benefit (if applicable) Eligible veterans have 15 years from date of eligibility/discharge to use 36 months of benefit No buy in is required

Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Levels Percentage of Maximum Amount Payable (post-9/11) At least 36 cumulative months (incl training time): 100% At least 30 cumulative months (incl training time): 90% At least 24 cumulative months (incl training time): 80% At least 18 cumulative months: 70% At least 12 cumulative months: 60% At least 6 cumulative months: 50% At least 90 cumulative days: 40% At least 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability: 100% *Percentage applies to each component (tuition, housing, books) Service Member Education Benefits

Combination With Other VA Benefits For those eligible for MGIB-AD (CH30) Normally, months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will equal the number of months of entitlement remaining under MGIB-AD. However, if all MGIB-AD benefits are used before electing Post-9/11 GI Bill, students may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For those eligible for MGIB-SR (CH1606) and/or REAP (CH1607) Generally, individuals who are eligible for more than one benefit may use a maximum combined total of 48 months of benefits For example: If you have used 20 months of benefits under REAP, you may be eligible for 28 months of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill

Combined With Non-VA Education Benefits The Post-9/11 GI Bill may not be the best option for everyone For those with the following circumstances/benefits, CH1607 or CH30 may be more beneficial than changing to the Post-9/11 GI Bill: Less than 100% of CH33 rate, part time and/or online students Federal Tuition Assistance State Tuition Reimbursement Dislocated Workers Program Changes to FTA & STR are expected, but have not yet been announced. It is uncertain at this time how these benefits might impact CH33. Electing the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a permanent decision

Post 911 GI Bill Application Process Updated or VONAPP If eligible for other chapters, make an irrevocable election Supply the VA with any supporting information: DD214, orders, kicker agreement, etc Applicant will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) which lists the percentage and number of months of entitlement Bring copy of COE to campus certifying official School will certify once registered for classes Service Member Education Benefits

Spouse/Dependent Transfer Option Service member must be on active duty or actively drilling on or after August 1, 2009 Generally, service member must have served a minimum of 6 years and commit to serving an additional four years from the date benefit transfer is approved To phase in, certain waivers will be granted to the 4 year added service requirement Benefits can be transferred to a spouse, children, or a combination of the two The entire benefit, up to the full 36 months, can be transferred

Post 911 GI Bill Spouse/Dependent Transfer Option Service member retains ownership of the benefit and can modify and/or revoke at any time Spouse/dependents receive the same benefit (at the same percentage level) as service member Spouse has 15 years to use after member leaves service and can use benefits immediately upon approval Children can use up to age 26 once the member has served at least 10 years ) Must be in DEERS Member can change Transfer during their 15 Year Window

Step 1 -Soldier Soldier confirms current ETS date meets required service obligation – extends contract if necessary – allows processing time for extension (SIDPERS) Soldier confirms desired family member enrolled in DEERS and eligible to receive benefits Soldier – logs onto DOD TEB Website ( and completes request for transferhttps:// Soldier – Those with less than 20 years service – logon to ARNG Benefits site and complete Statement of Understanding (SOU) – provides copy of signed SOU to Unit full time staff Soldier – monitors DOD TEB Website and AKO for approval notification Step 2- Unit Full Time Staff Unit Full Time Staff – Confirms retirement eligible soldiers have current NGB 23 on file in IPERMS Upload necessary verification documents to IPERMS Forward signed and completed Statement of Understanding to Step 3 - GI Bill Support Team Soldiers request is approved by ARNG GI Bill Support Team and notification is sent to Soldiers AKO address Requests received with incorrect or unverifiable information will not be processed. Notification of issue will be sent to soldier’s AKO MN Guard Steps to transfer Chapter 33 Benefits

Step 4 - Family Member Family member receiving transferred benefit completes application for benefits with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Form e) or online at VA website Attach copy of GI Bill Kicker or Army College Fund contracts (if applicable) Step 5 - Department of Veterans Affairs Receives application – acknowledges in writing Processes application Sends Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to family member at address on application Step 6 - Family Member Family member brings Certificate to Veterans Affairs Certifying Officer (VACO) at the school they are/will be attending to begin payment of benefit MN Guard Steps to transfer Chapter 33 Benefits-

Post 911 GI Bill Additional Considerations Kicker/College Fund will be paid as a lump sum/semester One-time reimbursement of up to $2,000 for approved licensing or certification tests Tutorial assistance of up to $1,200 ($100/mo.) Work study allowance will be available similar to other chapters Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program are posted at Eligible veterans must carefully weigh their options

Survivor Education Benefits MN Department of Veterans Affairs – “Surviving Spouse/Dependent Benefit” Chapter 33 – “Machine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship” - Children Only Chapter 35 - “Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance” – Dependent Benefit

Other Education Updates Financial aid: Starting July 01, 2009, VA benefits will not be considered when calculating Federal aid

Contacts For Help See your Unit Education Specialist first for Guard Related Education Details Your Unit will contact the State Guard Education Office if Needed At any time you may contact a Higher Education Veterans Program Regional Coordinator Go To:

QUESTIONS?