1. Navigating the Great Unknowns of Voluntary Education Navigating the Great Unknowns of Voluntary Education

2. Challenging Issues and “Unknowns” Budget Challenges  Current status of Military Tuition Assistance  VA Education Benefits Department of Defense MOU Version 3 (coming soon)  Notable changes from past versions  All institutions who wish to participate in TA program must sign  Third Party Assessment Accountability Measures resulting from the President’s Executive Order 13607  Complaint System  Consumer Information, Fact Sheets, and Comparison Tools

3. Tuition Assistance “Eligibility Requirements” Army https://www.goarmyed.com/public/public_display_news.aspx?type=8&news_id=1776 https://www.goarmyed.com/public/public_display_news.aspx?type=8&news_id=1776  Soldiers eligible for up to 16 semester hours of TA-funded courses per fiscal year  Only permitted to use TA after successful completion of their first year of service after graduating from either Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC).  Soldiers can use TA for a second, higher-level post-bachelor’s degree after completing 10 years of service. Applies only if TA used to pay any portion of undergraduate degree.  Soldiers will continue to receive up to $250 per semester hour for up to 130 semester hours for completion of a bachelor’s degree and up to 39 semester hours for completion of a master’s degree.

4. Tuition Assistance “Eligibility Requirements” Air Force http://www.airforce.com/benefits/enlisted-education/http://www.airforce.com/benefits/enlisted-education/  Tuition Assistance pays 100 percent of tuition and fees, not to exceed: $250 per semester credit hour or $166 per quarter credit hour $4,500 at fiscal year  Airmen must apply for TA online using the Air Force Virtual Education Center. This must be done through the Air Force Portal.  TA is not authorized for courses leading to a lateral or lower-level degree than servicemember already possess (e.g., second Associate or Bachelor's degree).  No TA for post-masters degree course work or degree.

5. Tuition Assistance “Eligibility Requirements” Navy https://www.navycollege.navy.mil https://www.navycollege.navy.mil  Tuition Assistance pays up-front the tuition and specific fees charged by educational institutions for course enrollments. Allocated quarterly.  Sailors eligible for up to 16 semester hours of TA-funded courses per fiscal year [or 24 quarter hours or 240 clock hours (clock hours paid only for Veterans Affairs-approved programs)]  Sailors must: -- have been at their first permanent duty station at least one year -- have command approval -- be current on qualifications and physical fitness standards -- have current counseling by a Navy College Office or a Virtual Education Center counselor -- have an individual education plan or degree plan on file  Payment for tuition and fees will not exceed the following caps: -- $250.00 per semester hours (or $166.67 per quarter hour) -- $16.67 per clock hour (Veterans Affairs-approved programs only)

6. Tuition Assistance “Eligibility Requirements” Marine Corps http://www.marforres.marines.mil/GeneralSpecialStaff/MarineCorpsCommuni tyServices/MarineFamilyServices/LifelongLearingCenter/TuitionAssistance.aspxhttp://www.marforres.marines.mil/GeneralSpecialStaff/MarineCorpsCommuni tyServices/MarineFamilyServices/LifelongLearingCenter/TuitionAssistance.aspx  First-time TA users must have a minimum of 24 months time in service.  Prior to TA approval, must complete the MCI “Leadership” and Personal Financial Management courses (self development).  First-time TA applicants approved for only 1 course unless have an associate degree or more than 60 courses of coursework completed.  Subsequent TA applicants limited to only 1 course, if --Overall GPA falls below 2.5 --Grade of “D” received in previous term, or --Voluntary course withdrawal during the previous term  TA not authorized for duplicate degrees (e.g., second Bachelor’s or double majors  Payment for tuition and fees will not exceed the following caps: -- $250.00 per semester hours (or $166.67 per quarter hour)

7. Tuition Assistance “Eligibility Requirements” Coast Guard http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cgi/active_duty/pay_for_college/default.asp  The Coast Guard will fund 75% of the tuition cost of members not to exceed $187.50 per credit hour.  The annual monetary cap for the Coast Guard’s share of TA is $3,375 (75% of the $4,500 ceiling); rate changed in early April.  Active-duty military members are eligible for Tuition Assistance for courses leading to first undergraduate or first master’s-level graduate degrees  TA is not authorized for members seeking a second degree at the same or lower educational level. In addition TA is not authorized for any doctoral- level courses.

8.  VA has issued more than $30 billion in Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit payments to more than a million individuals since program inception in August 2009.  VA has issued more than $39 billion in benefit payments for all chapters to 1.5 million individuals.  Despite the Long Term Solutions for automating the claims process, veterans still experience some delays in certification and payment process; especially true at start of semesters.  VA focusing efforts on creating informed consumers through Comparison Tool, Career Scope (career guidance resource), How to Choose a School, and other resources  SVA and VA released initial findings of Million Records Project to measure student veteran success. http://studentveterans.org/what-we-do/million-records-project.html#data http://studentveterans.org/what-we-do/million-records-project.html#data Veterans Affairs Education Benefits

9. Department of Defense MOU  DoD MOU version 2 currently in effect. To see current list of participating institutions, go to http://www.dodmou.com/http://www.dodmou.com/  Version 3 incorporates the accountability metrics and requirements from Executive Order 13607. Expected to be released in Spring 2014. Once the final version is made public, colleges will have 60 days to sign the MOU.  All must sign, regardless of signature on two earlier versions in order to continue receiving TA.  Agree to participate in Third Party Assessment, if selected by Services for installation review http://www.mtci.us/services/Pages/DoD-3rd-Party-Education-http://www.mtci.us/services/Pages/DoD-3rd-Party-Education-Assessment.aspx

10. DoD MOU Key Changes  All colleges participating in TA funding must participate in the Title IV financial aid program. If schools do not currently participate, they must initiate the process immediately and are given 18 months to complete process.  Tuition Assistance will pay only for tuition costs, no fees of any kind.  Colleges and program offerings must be VA approved.  Additional requirements to participate in TA:  Comply with state authorization requirements.  Provide “Shopping Sheet” covering total cost of educational program, pre- enrollment program costs, student debt estimates, and financial aid options in advance of enrollment/registration.  Accommodate absences due to service requirements.  Receive prior approval of accrediting agency for new courses/programs  Return an appropriate proportion of TA based upon when a student stops attending.

11.  EO 13607 established Principles of Excellence as guidelines for educational institutions receiving Federal funding.  Requires institutions to provide information, support, and protections to Federal education beneficiaries.  Strengthens oversight, enforcement, and accountability activities within educational benefit programs.  Expands student data collection efforts to better understand educational outcomes.  Requires development of a Centralized Complaint System for students. EO 13607 Principles of Excellence

12. Third Party Assessment Review Third Party Education Assessment FY 14 Schedule  Installations: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (CA) Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (GA) Seymour Johnson AFB (NC) Fort Leonard Wood (MO)  Institutions: University of Phoenix (AZ) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) California Career School (CA) University of Maryland University College (MD) Central Texas College (TX) University of Arkansas (AK)

13.  EO 13607 directed development of a Centralized Complaint System for students.  Interagency effort among DoD, ED, VA, CFPB, DOJ, and FTC.  January 2014 launch of centralized online reporting system.  The complaint system will: Empower students and their families Provide complaint information to inform educational choices Hold educational institutions to the highest standards Provide for higher level oversight Allow case referral for potential law enforcement efforts  DoD will work with the educational institution and student to reach resolution satisfying both parties, where possible. Servicemember/Veteran Feedback System

14.  Military students, primarily Tuition Assistance (TA) or MyCAA recipients, provide feedback directly to DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint System at http://www.militaryonesource.mil/voluntary-education/complainthttp://www.militaryonesource.mil/voluntary-education/complaint  GI Bill recipients (servicemember, spouse, and/or child) provide feedback directly to http://www.gibill.va.gov/feedback.asphttp://www.gibill.va.gov/feedback.asp  Federal financial aid recipients (servicemember, spouse, and/or child) provide feedback directly to compliancecomplaints@ed.govompliancecomplaints@ed.gov  Private student loan recipients provide feedback at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint  ALL verified cases submitted to FTC’s Consumer Sentinel System for monitoring and potential law enforcement efforts.  Appropriate cases referred to Department of Justice Providing Feedback

15.  Constrained Service budgets and spending restrictions. Unique and changing Service TA eligibility requirements  Continued interest from the Administration and the Hill: Principles of Excellence 90/10 rule College ratings system Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing, Academic Credentialing for Service members  Reauthorization of Higher Education Act of 1965.  Greater Military Service focus on Transition Assistance Program Accessing Higher Education two-day curriculum Incorporating education options into a “Military Life Cycle” Overview of the Current Environment

16. Other “Unknowns” that we can address today? What are the burning issues related to military students populations on your campus? Other “Unknowns” that we can address today? What are the burning issues related to military students populations on your campus?