Daniel Flores, MBA Financial Aid/Veteran Affairs Counselor/VA Certifying Official

Overview Who we are GI Bill Education Benefits What we do Academic Requirements Recommended Do’s Recommended Don'ts Contact Info Questions

Office of Veteran Services Outreach- Ross Bryant  Lunch & Learn Series  Blog, Facebook, Twitter  Rebel Ready Consultations  UNLV Student Veterans Organization  SERV training Education Benefits- Daniel Flores & Gail Reese  GI Bill  VA payment reconciliation  Student transition Resources  Campus referrals  Southern Nevada Veteran Resource Partnerships Office of Veteran Services Mission: To provide centralized, tailored support to student veterans, active duty military members and their families throughout all phases of their college-going experience

GI Bill Programs  Ch 1606 – Selected Reserves  Ch 1607 – REAP (Reserve Education Assistance Program)  Ch 35 – Survivors’ & Dependent’s Education Assistance  Ch 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation (VocRehab)  Ch 30 – Montgomery GI Bill  Ch 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill When a student says, “I have GI Bill benefits” he or she is referring to any one of the following programs – each has its own set of specific rules.

Student Population  Academic year  Estimated over 1,000 active duty, reservist, national guardsmen, dependents and veterans enrolled each semester.  Fall Certified 900 students. Of which, 220 were new students.  Spring 2013 – Certified 800 students. Of which, 100 were new students.

Ch Reserve / National Guard  Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program.  You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.  Your eligibility for the program normally ends on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.  Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training, it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after September 30, 1990;  Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT)  Request a DD Form , Notice of Basic Eligibility, when you become eligible for the program. Student StatusMonthly Rate Full time 12 credit hrs.$ ¾ time$ ½ time$ Less than ½ time$86.25

Ch Activated Reserve/ Guard  Benefits are for Guard and Reserve Personnel who have been activated for 90 consecutive days or more.  Service member can upgrade from Ch to Ch if deployed while using his or her Ch Benefits.  VA makes the payments for this program.  If you are a New Student who never used Ch. 1606, request a DD Form , Notice of Basic Eligibility, when you become eligible for the program. Student StatusConsecutive Service Days of 90 or more but less than 1 year Consecutive Service Days of 1 year + Full Time$589.20$ ¾ Time$441.90$ ½ Time$294.60$ Less than ½ time more than ¼ time $294.60$ ½ Time or less$147.30$220.95

Ch. 35 Spouse or Dependent of a Disabled Veteran  You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:  A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.  A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence, missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force, forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.  A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23,  If you are a son or daughter and wish to receive benefits for attending school or job training, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26.  If you are in the Armed Forces, you may not receive this benefit while on active duty.  If you are a spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran. If the VA rated the veteran permanently and totally disabled with an effective date of 3 years from discharge a spouse will remain eligible for 20 years from the effective date of the rating.  For surviving spouses (spouses of service members who died on active duty) benefits end 20 years from the date of death. Student StatusMonthly Rate Full Time$ ¾ Time$ ½ Time$ Less than ½ time more than ¼ time $ ¼ or less$239.25

Ch. 31 Vocational Rehabilitation  Veterans with VA rated disability of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more, may be eligible for this program.  The basic period of eligibility is 12 years from the date of separation from active duty military service, or the date the veteran was first notified by the VA of a service-connected disability rating.  Vouchers will be issued for parking, books, and supplies.  Vouchers must be used at the Public Safety Building for parking pass and the books/supplies voucher only useable at the UNLV bookstore.  Contact the Academic Success center for Tutorial Assistance.

Ch. 30 Montgomery G.I. Bill  2 yr. continuous enlistment required to receive benefits.  Benefits are paid directly to student, student is responsible for paying the school.  You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.  Benefits expire 10 years after release from active duty.  Break pay is no longer issued.  Student must check in monthly via telephone or website to verify attendance. Student StatusMonthly Rate Full Time$1, ¾ Time$1, ½ Time$ Less than ½ time more than ¼ time $ ¼ or less$368.25

Post-9/11 Update – August 2011  Open to wider range of academic options  Professional certifications, non-academic programs  More students will be eligible  In-state graduate & doctoral tuition now covered  Biggest change for Nevada  Out-of-state tuition can no longer be listed as a fee  Students will be wholly responsible for that charge

Ch. 33 Post 911  This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.  The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.  You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post- 9/11 GI Bill.  Your full tuition & fees directly to the school.  Half Time Status or greater is required to receive the BAH.  An annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment. ($47.61/ per credit hour)  Does not pay Non-Residency Fees.  Break Pay BAH is no longer received.  Is Transferable to Dependents or Spouse if the Service Member meets the requirements established by the DoD.  BAH and Tuition and Fees payments are directly reflected by Benefit Percentage and Student Status.

For Additional Information Regarding GI Bill Benefits  Please visit Financial Aid TV  Content  New GI Bill Benefits  New GI Bill Eligibility  New GI Bill Specific Questions  Military Service Benefits (for loans)  Veterans-Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)  Other Financial Aid related videos

How Student Accounts are Affected  Chapter 33, Post 9/11 students  Semester Enrollment Form (SEF) Received from Academic Advisor  School Certifying Officials verify courses are degree applicable  Tuition and Fees are calculated and reported:  Certified to VA  VA Anticipated Aid placed on student’s university account.  Total amount of VA Anticipated Aid depends on student’s eligibility percentage.

How Student Accounts are Affected (Cont.)  For example:  100% Post 9/11 eligible = 100% tuition and fees placed on hold at the in-state residence rate.  80% Post 9/11 eligible = 80% tuition and fees placed on hold at the in-state residence rate, the student is responsible to make payment arrangement for the remaining 20% prior to the start of the semester (Financial Aid, Payment Plan, out-of-pocket)  Once payment is received from VA, monies are disbursed to student’s university account.

How Student Accounts are Affected (Cont.)  Why VA Anticipated Aid?  Tuition and Fees paid directly to UNLV  Prevents a student from incurring late charges  Prevents a student from Purge  Assuming student is 100% Post 9/11 eligible and is receiving tuition and fees at the in-state residence rate  VA Anticipated Aid is not available for other GI Bill Benefits. Students are responsible for payment arrangements prior to the start of semester.  VA does not pay for out-of-state fees or late charges

Ch. 33 Post 9/11 Ch Tuition Waiver Tuition and Fees BAH $1146/mo 40% = $458 60% = $687 Books $1000/yr $47.61/ credit hr. Tuition Waiver Paid To School Paid to Student Ch year + Active Duty=$883.80/mo 90 Days but less than 1 year Active Duty = $589.20/mo Books Check Unit for Refund Use 36 months of Ch then Apply for up to an Additional 12 months Post 9/11 Active Duty Service Time 90 Days = 40% 1 Year = 60% 3 Years = 100%

Student registers VA benefits with SCO office Regulatory paperwork collected Consultation with student/academic advisor SCO evaluates Program and courses for approval CH33 – tuition/fees must be calculated along with financial aid data CH31 – certification is more detailed SCO evaluates credits for certification SCO notifies student of potential certification issues, if any Original VA Certification submitted with proper documentation maintained in file Student add/drops/withdraws SCO must re-evaluate original certification and make decision to adjust/amend/terminate CH33- tuition/fees recalculated SCO must notify VA within 30 days of enrollment changes Student grades must be evaluated and reported to VA if necessary Improper Withdraws/Incompletes must be reported to VA within 30 days CH33 payment to school from VA must be reconciled for each cert and adjustment. Follow up with VA for incorrect payments VA Certification Work Flow Other Duties:  Outreach, Student Care  Catalog Certification (annual, six month process)  Data Reporting (VA, NSHE, Institution)  Attend annual VA Conference

Ongoing Certification Process Student Add/Drops SCO: Evaluate Adjust/Amend/ Terminate SCO: Submit Payment By VA SCO Reconciles if CH33

Compliance Final Cert VA Code of Fed Regulations State Approving Agency Authority Institution’s Published Policies NSHE Policies

Academic Requirements  Non-Punitive Grades & Mitigating Circumstances  Repeating Courses  Dual Enrollment  Full Time Schedule in Last Term (Fill Fill-in Rule)  Credit for Prior Training

Non-Punitive Grades & Mitigating Circumstances  Non-punitive grade is one which neither applies to the student’s grade point average nor applies as credit earned towards the program.  EXAMPLES: W, X, NP, etc.  A grade of I (incomplete) becomes non-punitive and should be reported as such if it is still unresolved a year after it was first issued.  A grade of Audit is treated the same as any other non-punitive grade Chuck Peterman: VA Education Compliance Survey Specialist

Repeating Courses  VA will not pay a student to re-take a course which was previously satisfactorily completed.  Doesn’t matter whether or not the student received VA education benefits for the prior attempt.  Students can repeat courses for which a D was previously earned if a C or better is required for the student’s current program.  Exception: when student is using the fill-in rule during his/her last term in that program. Chuck Peterman: VA Education Compliance Survey Specialist

Dual Enrollments  Student enrolled at two different schools/campuses concurrently or temporarily attending another school/campus for a term or two.  Primary degree-granting) school specifies in a letter (see our form) which courses may be taken at another specific school/campus and the fact that those courses will apply in full to the student’s current objective.  Each school, primary and supplemental, certifies the student for courses taken at their school/campus. Chuck Peterman: VA Education Compliance Survey Specialist

Full Time Schedule in Last Term (Fill Fill-in Rule)  Student taking all courses needed to graduate, but they don’t add up to full time pursuit.  Student can fill in schedule with any course to bring pursuit up to full time.  Can do this only once in each program.  If student fails required course(s) we can pay to repeat that course(s) only -cannot pay to fill-in again for that program. Chuck Peterman: VA Education Compliance Survey Specialist

Credit for Prior Training  Schools must review all prior education and training.  Student has no choice -even if (s)he doesn’t want prior credit transferred, school must do the transfer & evaluation.  Schools are not required to grant transfer credit, but must evaluate it and grant it in accordance with the rules published in their approved catalog.  Schools should accomplish this in first two terms of enrollment to avoid certifying the student for courses previously satisfactorily completed from transfers. Chuck Peterman: VA Education Compliance Survey Specialist

Recommended Do’s Be Proactive Establish your semester schedule early Get your Semester Enrollment form signed by your advisor Personally deliver your documents to us - ASAP Register for a Rebel Mail account Set up your Rebel Mail to FWD to your personal Check Rebel Mail/ routinely for messages from us Try to limit changes to your plan Keep us informed of changes Be understanding (We have about 1000 VA Students) Use UNLV Academic Success Center Seek a tutor if you are struggling Seek assistance from the UNLV Writing Center Register with eBenefits if using Ch. 33 Benefits Join the SVO – Help other veterans at UNLV! GO TO CLASS, GO TO CLASS, GO TO CLASS

Recommended Don’ts Assume we have your documents Rely upon third parties to deliver your paperwork! Wait till the last minute (Any delay will delay us helping YOU!) Make a habit of missing class Fail a class – (If you are having a challenge – continue to attend!) - Could result in a CHARGE BACK! Stop attending class – Could result in a CHARGE BACK! Don’t withdraw after add/drop unless absolutely necessary Change your major every semester!

Where are we? SSC-A Rm 311 Office of Veteran Services Mailing address: 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box , Las Vegas, Nevada Contact Us (702) Ross Bryant, Director: Daniel Flores, Financial Aid/Veteran Affairs Counselor/ VA Certifying Official: Gail Reese, VA Certifying Official: UNLV Rebel VETS

Questions?