Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials

Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials
Briefed by: Robert M. Worley II, Director, Education Service June 19, 2018

Overview FY 2013-FY 2017 Trainees/Dollars Paid
Claims Processing Highlights Education Call Center Highlights GI Bill® Integrity and Protection Compliance Activity GI Bill® Feedback System GI Bill® Comparison Tool Outcome Measures Colmery Act Updates Contact Us

FY 2013 – FY 2017 Trainees/Dollars Paid
Benefit Education Programs FY 13 Trainees/Dollars Paid FY 14 Trainees/Dollars Paid FY 15 Trainees/Dollars Paid FY 16 Trainees/Dollars Paid FY 17 Trainees/Dollars Paid Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)-AD 99,755 / $775M 77,389 / $512M 61,403 / $442.2M 47,307 / $365.1M 34,582 / $298K Chapter 32 Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) 29 / $496K 8 / $359K 4 / $35K 4 / $222 1 / $161 *Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill 754,229 / $10.2B 790,408 / $10.8B 790,507 / $11.2B 790,090 / $11.6B 755,476 / $11B Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) 89,160 / $483M 90,789 / $514M 91,755 / $493.2M 96,762 / $520.5M 100,275 / $553K Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) 62,656 / $156M 63,745/ $150M 63,030 / $141.1M 61,388 / $139.3 54,909 / $130K Chapter 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) 17, 297 / $70M 13,784/ $56M 9,965 / $40.5M 4,538 / $20.7M 1,586 / $7K Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) 67,918 / $428M 52,288 / $413M N/A Total 1,091,044 / $12.1B 1,088,411 / $12.4B 1,016,664 / $12.3B 1,000,085 / 12.9B 946,829 / $12.04B As of June 1, 2018, VA issued $86.9 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit payments to 1,925,507 individuals since program inception (August 2009).

Claims Processing Highlights
Claims Inventory FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 As of 1 June Claims Processed 4.3M 4.2M 4.1M 3.8M 2.3M Original Claims Timeliness (Average Days to Complete) 16.7 18.4 24.7 21.4 Supplemental Claims Timeliness 5.9 7.0 6.7 8.6 11.5 Payment Accuracy 98.7% 99.4% 98.8% 98.09% 98.86% Claims Processed Original Supplemental April 2018 23,925 224,722 May 2018 24,603 248,417

Claims Processing Highlights

Education Call Center Highlights
FY18 Average Calls Answered Per Month: 196,793 Overall Satisfaction Score for May 2018: 847 Exceeds the government benchmark of 721 Exceeds the service industry benchmark of 815 2018 Scores Courtesy of Representative 9.2 Knowledge of Representative 8.6 Representative’s Concern 8.8 Overall Quality 98.49% Technical Quality 99.16% Courtesy/Professionalism 97.82%

GI Bill® Integrity & Protection
Combating Fraud & Enforcement Activity Sentencing of four owners/recruiter - Non-College Degree programs Regular Coordination with Federal Trusted Partners: Office of Inspector General – Criminal Investigation Division & DOJ, U.S. Attorney’s Office Federal Trade Commission; Department of ED; Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Principles of Excellence (POE) - Recommitment GI Bill Feedback System – Refresh Trademark Enforcement Approval, Compliance, Liaison - Refinements Implementation of new laws (Colmery Act; PL ) Nationwide review of Flight Programs Extended use of data

Oversight & Accountability - Annual Compliance
FY18: PL implemented Monitoring completed compliance surveys in real time through Salesforce application Continuing build out of the cloud base systems to monitor special classifications FY19: Guidance for FY19 is in draft and will incorporate FY18 as well as a refined focus. VA and SAAs will ensure current statutory requirements are met and will prioritize additional schools and facilities based on various risks with particular focus on quality. Compliance Survey Data FY17 # of Surveys FY18 # of Surveys (as of 1 June) Dept. of Veterans Affairs 3,418 1,407 State Approving Agencies 2,263 1,345 Total 5,681 2,752

GI Bill Feedback System
On January 30, 2014, VA launched the Feedback System to intake student complaints concerning non-compliant POE schools Total complaints as of 1 June, 2018: 10,360 Of these: POE complaints: 5,342 (52%) Pending: 48 Active: 35 Non-POE complaints: 4,935 (48%) Target Risk-Based Reviews (TRBR) conducted as of 1 June, 2018: 134 18 withdrawals of schools GI Bill Feedback System Observations: Quality of Education – Accreditation, Instructor Performance, Course Materials Financial Issues – Loan amounts, Tuition and Fees reported Recruiting/Marketing Practices – Misleading Advertising Refund Issues – Administration with multiple types of financial aid (Title IV & VA) How many public schools with contracting flight programs? 70 How many of those schools have we conducted compliance surveys at this FY?

GI Bill Feedback System
How many public schools with contracting flight programs? 70 How many of those schools have we conducted compliance surveys at this FY?

GI Bill Comparison Tool
Comparison Tool was launched on February 4, 2014, in response to Executive Order to implement and promote “Principles of Excellence.” The Comparison Tool has over 7 million unique page views and over 3 million schools searched. Future Enhancements: “Forever GI Bill” Updates More caution flag information Detailed accreditation information Feedback ratings

Outcome Measures Executive Order 13607
VA is required to develop and publish outcome measures, which will support Veterans, Servicemembers, and their family members in making the most informed educational decisions Outcome Measures Progress (Public Law Section 404) Makes reporting academic progress for GI Bill students a condition of approval Notification of the updated reporting requirements will be sent later this summer Delayed in order to fully address stakeholder concerns Compliance with the new requirements will be expected in January 2019 Initial focus will be on Completion of Certificate Graduation Rate Persistence Rate Transfer-out Rate Retention Rate

Forever GI Bill

Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act
Enhances access and availability to educational benefits for eligible Veterans through several technical adjustments, calls for investment in IT systems, and fundamentally changes the way we view the GI Bill Become known as the Forever GI Bill because of its most recognized feature – the removal of the 15-year time limitation for Veterans who transitioned out of the military after January 1, 2013, and eligible dependents, to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits Thirty-Four Sections: Date of Enactment: 13 Sections January 1, 2018: 1 Section August 1, 2018: 17 Sections October 1, 2018 and beyond: 3 Sections 22 of 34 Sections require IT support for a total estimated cost of $70 million

Implementation Overview
Established an integrated project team with members from Education Service, Office of Information Technology (OIT), General Counsel, and Corporate Communication Education Service Program Executive Office: Information Technology, Operations and Training, Communications, and Policy Program Management Contract in progress to support implementation effort 29 Contractors through FY18 May require additional support in early FY19 Closely aligned with the Office of Resource Management to evaluate required staffing needs 202 temporary FTE for all of FY18 and part of FY19 (remaining funding unknown) VA and 4 Corners (House Veterans Affairs Committee and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee) meet regularly to discuss implementation

Enacted Sections

Policy Interpretation
Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Allows a reservist to elect to have service credited toward establishing eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for an individual that lost eligibility under chapter 1607 due to— Sunset of the benefit program; and The bar to duplication of eligibility based on a single event or period of service provision Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement will be limited by number months remaining under REAP at time of election Post-9/11 GI Bill will be awarded at no less than the 60% benefit level Section 106 – Eligibility Restoral from Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) Sunset Send a letter to all claimants to notify them of their restored entitlements. Training will be developed to update Operations, Call Centers, and Processor procedures until an IT solution goes into effect. January 8: notified 3,000 individuals via letter that described potential impacts, explained new law, and invited recipients to send in new application/contact VA for more information Almost 250 applications; 70 elections as of May 11th ENACTED

Section 109 – Entitlement Restoral for School Closure
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: November 14, 2017 Allows restoration of entitlement for individuals affected by school closure or disapproval (if the disapproval was due to a change in law or VA interpretation of statute) When a school closes or is disapproved during an active term, individuals may be eligible to continue receiving monthly housing allowance (MHA) under the Post-9/11 GI Bill until the original end of the term or for 120 days (whichever occurs sooner) MHA can only continue if the closure/disapproval occurred after August 16, 2017 Continuation of MHA payments can occur no earlier than August 1, 2018 Section 109 – Entitlement Restoral for School Closure Develop the internal policies and procedures by which we will administer the restoration of entitlement, as well as design the required communications (letters) and enforcement requirements for the program. Specialized to Muskogee Regional Processing Office (RPO) – 27 Temp FTE November /mail notification to 8,000 beneficiaries As of May 18th, over 1,600 applications, 975 restorations, 10,000 months in entitlement Completed two follow-ups to impacted individuals Surveyed 400 non-respondents to gain feedback and data on improving VA processing Majority intend to apply ENACTED

Section 112 – Removes 15-year Delimiting Date
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Removes the 15-year time limit to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for some Veterans and their beneficiaries; specifically, it removes the time limitation for: Veterans with a discharge or release from active duty on or after January 1, 2013 provided such discharge was from a period of service of at least 90 days in length Spouses utilizing transfer of entitlement (TOE) benefits when the transferor has a last discharge or release from active duty on or after January 1, 2013 Children of deceased Servicemembers who first became entitled to the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship on or after January 1, 2013 Any spouse entitled to the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship Section 112 – Removes 15-year Delimiting Date Issue instructions to the field for processing claims impacted by this legislation: to include, manual modification of Certificates of Eligibility and manually processed award letters. Modify Long Term Solution (LTS) to allow for accurate generation of automated award letters. December 20th, guidance to update Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and manually produced award letters LTS updated on April 29 - modified automated letters to include removal of time limit for eligible beneficiaries ENACTED

Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Permanently authorizes the following work study activities: Assisting SAAs with outreach to veterans Providing hospital, domiciliary, or medical treatment to veterans in State homes, when VA pays an allowance to the state for such care Any activity relating to the administration of a national cemetery or a State veteran’s cemetery Section 201 – Work Study Ensure that VA informational material does not reflect a temporary status for Work Study provisions. Notified School Certifying Officials (SCOs), State Approving Agencies (SAAs), Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) of change Centralizing Work Study processing to Muskogee RPO by end of CY2019 ENACTED

Section 302 – Independent Study at non-IHLs
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Authorizes the use of GI Bill educational assistance to pursue accredited independent study programs at area career and technical education schools An independent study program that leads to a certificate must provide training aligned with the requirements of employers in the State or local area Provide a student, upon completion of the program, with a recognized postsecondary credential that is recognized by employers in the relevant industry Must meet content and instructional standards as required to comply with the standards developed by a board or agency of a State to prepare an individual for employment, licensure or certification in the State Section 302 – Independent Study at non-IHLs Issue guidance about the statutory update allowing for the approval of distance learning at a stand alone Non-College Degree (NCD) site and the proper use of the new Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) check box. Released Procedural Advisory to Field in February Will be included on Comparison Tool (May 2018) ENACTED

Section 303 – Priority Enrollment
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Requires VA to improve outreach and transparency to Veterans and Servicemembers by providing information on schools that offer priority enrollment Section 303 – Priority Enrollment Send a message to all schools to respond to their respective ELR with a confirmation and/or copy of their catalog statement of veteran priority enrollment. WEAMS will be updated for upload to the Comparison Tool for public display. A requirement to verify priority status will be added to the compliance survey checklist (not a condition of approval). On March 9th released Procedural Advisory Sent communications to Education Liaison Representatives (ELRs), SCOs, VSOs, Congress Will be included on Comparison Tool (May 2018) ENACTED

Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Extends the reauthorization for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education (VACOE) through December 31, 2022 Section Veteran’s Advisory Committee on Education (VACOE) Extension Work with Designated Federal Officer to ensure Education Service has an appropriate strategy for the extended authority of this committee. On November 22, 2017, VA announced 12 new members. First meeting pending until new Chairperson is seated. ENACTED Ok – Memo from DFO received on 2/22

Section 307 VR&E Extension
Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) oversees implementation of this provision. No action is needed from Education Services and thus no policy advisory was drafted. Section 307 VR&E Extension This section codifies VA's Veterans Success on Campus (VSOC) program, which is administered and overseen by the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (VR&E). Absent provision, VR&E planned to expand to additional VSOC locations. ENACTED Per Bill Spruce

Section 309 - Beginning Date of Enrollment Certifications
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Allows school certifying officials to certify classes as beginning on the first day of the academic term, if the class starts within the first seven days of the academic term Section Beginning Date of Enrollment Certifications None: This section codified a practice that was already in place. The SCO handbook was preemptively updated. ENACTED

Section 310 – SAA Conduct Risk Based Study
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Allows VA to consult and utilize State Approving Agencies (SAAs) to conduct risk- based surveys and other such oversight purposes as VA considers appropriate without regard to whether VA or the agency approved the course Section 310 – SAA Conduct Risk Based Study SAAs already conduct risk based compliance reviews. SAA/VA Working Group established to enhance the process. ENACTED

Section 502 – C&P Provision
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Provides for the reconsideration of previously denied claims for disability compensation for Veterans who allege full-body exposure to nitrogen mustard gas, or lewisite during World War II. Section 502 – C&P Provision This provision is being implemented by Compensation Service. Reconsideration of Previously Denied Mustard Gas (MG) Claims for Living Veterans VA has completed reviews of 165 identified cases and Service connection established for 17 WWII Veterans who were previously denied benefits Reconsideration of Previously Denied MG Claims for Deceased Veterans VA is currently reviewing 208 deceased Veteran records A VA/DoD Workgroup is ongoing ENACTED

In Progress

Section 311 – GAO Study of Performance SAAs
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a study on the performance of State Approving Agencies (SAAs) Must submit a report on the study to Congress and VA not later than one year after the date of enactment Section 311 – GAO Study of Performance SAAs Communicate with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) about the requirements of this legislation. Held initial meeting with GAO in December

Section 114 – Requirement for Reports on GI Bill Program
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017 Requires VA to submit to Congress a report that includes information regarding academic progress The report is due not later than March 1 of each year and includes information for the calendar year preceding the year in which the report is submitted Section 114 – Requirement for Reports on GI Bill Program Provide the required report to Congress. Congress provided extension to March 1, 2019 Inter-agency reports should oversee this…

Section 115 – Automate Original Claims
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: FY 2018 and 2019 Requires VA to make improvements to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) information technology (IT) systems to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, all original and supplemental claims for educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, are adjudicated electronically and rules – based processing is used to make decisions with little human intervention. Requires VA to submit a plan to implement the changes and improvements to VBA’s IT systems to Congress no later than 180 days after enactment. Must submit a report to Congress on the implementation of the changes and improvements one year after enactment. Authorizes an appropriation of $30,000,000 to VA to carry out the requirements of this section during fiscal years 2018 and FY 2019. Section 115 – Automate Original Claims Collaborate with OIT to identify all possible solutions for automating original claims. This includes a managed service offering, as a potential alternative to in-house development effort. In the event that a managed services approach for implementing remaining provisions does not appear viable, or substantially cover the full provisions of the Colmery Act, then emphasis will be put on internal development efforts at the beginning of FY19 Submitted first joint report (OIT/EDU) to Congress Office of Business Process Integration (OBPI), OIT, EDU partners in Managed Service solution viability

Date of Enactment: August 16, 2017
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) is overseeing implementation of this provision. No action is needed from Education Services and thus no policy advisory was drafted. Section 402 – 12304(b) Reservist Order Equity for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Develop, in conjunction with DoD, the ability to identify 12304(b) recipients in Veterans Information Solution (VIS). Create a Procedural Advisory for correct input in the Long Term Solution (LTS). This provision impacts VR&E and Education Service Service data available in VIS

Date of Enactment: January 1, 2018 Realigning the living stipend payments for those using the Post 9/11 GI Bill (E-5 with dependents rate) to the same BAH payments currently to active duty servicemembers at the E-5 with dependents rate. Repeals subsection (b) of section 604 of Public Law , the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for FY15 Previously, this modification did not apply to §3108 and §3313 The cap will now apply to BAH paid under §3108 and §3313 Effective on January 1, 2018, and will apply to individuals who first use their entitlement on or after that date Section 501 – Remove Exemption from DoD Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Reduction Revise all training, manuals, and call center scripts to reflect the new BAH pay tables and updated method for determining an individual’s housing rate (bill payer). OIT working to install rate tables Impacts VR&E Rate will go in effect August 1, 2018

Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Authorizes VA to consider time reservists spend receiving treatment or care as listed below under 12301(h) of title 10 U.S.C as active duty for establishing eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill– receiving medical care; being medically evaluated for a disability or other purposes; completing a required Department of Defense (DoD) healthcare study, which may include an associated medical evaluation Service must occur on or after September 11, 2001 Payable to pursue a course of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018 Not retroactive for earlier terms Section 101- MedHold Develop, in conjunction with DoD, the ability to identify 12301h recipients in Veterans Information Solution (VIS). Create a Procedural Advisory for correct input in the Long Term Solution (LTS). Service available in VIS

Section 102- Full Benefits for All Eligible Purple Heart Recipients
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Expands the Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to individuals who are awarded the Purple Heart at the 100% benefit tier For service occurring on or after September 11, 2001 The Purple Heart recipient must continue on active duty or receive an honorable discharge upon release from active duty Increased benefit tier payable for terms beginning on or after August 1, 2018 Not retroactive for earlier terms Section 102- Full Benefits for All Eligible Purple Heart Recipients Develop, in conjunction with DoD, the ability to identify Purple Heart (PH) recipients in Veterans Information Solution (VIS). Create a Procedural Advisory for correct input in the Long Term Solution (LTS). A communications plan will also be developed to identify and inform Purple Heart recipients of the change. VA has identified in its system approx. 2,000 potentially eligible PH recipients Will work with DoD on notifying approx. 10,000 PH recipients of change

Section 103 - Yellow Ribbon for Fry and Purple Heart Recipients
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Provides that recipients of the Fry Scholarship and Purple Heart recipients are covered under the Yellow Ribbon Program Previously, only available to Veterans and transfer of entitlement recipients at the 100% benefit level Payable for terms beginning on or after August 1, 2018 Not retroactive for earlier terms Section Yellow Ribbon for Fry and Purple Heart Recipients Create a Procedural Advisory for correct input in the Long Term Solution (LTS). A communications plan will be developed to identify and inform the impacted populations of the change. Requires manual workaround Job aid is in development to allow Field to process these claims

Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Requires VA to calculate the MHA under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on the location of the campus where the individual physically attends a majority of classes No longer based on the main campus location of the school at which the individual is enrolled Applies to all terms beginning on or after August 1, 2018 Grandfathering Rules will apply Section 107 – Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) Calculations at Physical Campus Calculate MHA payments based on the physical location and majority training time of the student. The School Certifying Officials (SCOs) will report a zip code associated with each separate group of classes in which the student is enrolled, based on common term dates. A communications plan will be developed to identify and inform the impacted populations of the change. Two Focus Groups with SAAs, VSOs, and schools to discuss and solicit feedback Sent instructions to SCOs on holding post-August 1 enrollments

Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Amends Post-9/11 GI Bill to allow proration of entitlement charges for licensing and certification exams and national tests Pro-rates entitlement charges based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test relative to the rate for one month All other GI Bill programs are payable proportionate to the cost of the test compared to the full-time monthly rate; Post-9/11 GI Bill will now align Previously, even low-cost tests were charged one month of entitlement “Program of education” is amended to include a national test that evaluates prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit; applicable to chapters 30, 32, 33, 1606, and 1607 Section Prorate Entitlement Charge for Licensing/Certs/National Test Develop a Job Aid to calculate for the change in payment policy for the individual claimants. A procedure will then be designed for claims processors to make the payment, adjust entitlement, and modify the notification letters. A communications plan will be developed to identify and inform the impacted populations of the change. Job aid in development for Field to process claims

Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Allows a transferor to transfer any remaining entitlement to a different eligible dependent if the original dependent dies before using the entitlement Authorizes a dependent who received transfer of entitlement to transfer entitlement to another eligible dependent if the Servicemember or Veteran who made the transfer subsequently dies Applies to deaths on or after Aug. 1, 2009 A dependent may use entitlement beginning on or after August 1, 2018 A dependent may only transfer their own remaining entitlement to another eligible dependent Wise for the veteran to transfer all months of benefits and reallocate, as needed Transferor can transfer remaining entitlement beyond his/her delimiting date Dependent can consent to transferor remaining entitlement at the age of 18 Section 110 – Transfer of Entitlement Benefits Related to Death of Transferor/Sponsor Provide Servicemember or dependents with an updated business process or portal in which they are able to reallocate previously transferred entitlement and/or designate new dependents when applicable. Beneficiaries would be able to log into a DoD portal to transfer their entitlement to another dependent. Currently working with DoD to build mechanism to transfer benefits

Section 113 – Prorate Housing for Reservists
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Requires VA to prorate the monthly housing allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for everyone entering or released from Active Duty VA would award housing allowance benefits for each day of the month an individual is not serving on active duty Previously, monthly housing allowance benefits terminated at the end of the month that the individual enters onto active duty service. When discharged, VA commences payment of the monthly housing allowance at the beginning of the following month Is applicable to a quarter, semester or term commencing on or after August 1, 2018 Section 113 – Prorate Housing for Reservists Develop a Job Aid to calculate for the change in payment policy for the individual claimants. A procedure will then be designed for claims processors to make the payment, adjust entitlement, and modify the notification letters. Requires manual workaround Job aid complete in the process of finalizing procedures Operations, Call Center, Compliance liaisons will receive training that explains the new payment policy that provides reservists who were called up for active duty with a prorated MHA amount for any days that they were enrolled in school

Date of Enactment: January 28, 2019 Requires VA to carry out a pilot program for five years to provide eligible Veterans who are entitled to educational assistance the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs VA required to seek to enter into contracts with qualified providers of high technology programs not later than days after August 1, 2018 VA would pay the provider as follows under the contract: 25 percent of the cost of the tuition and other fees for the program of education upon enrollment of an eligible Veteran 25 percent of the cost upon completion of the program by the Veteran 50 percent of the cost upon the employment of the Veteran in the field of study of the program following completion of the program Section 116 – Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC)Pilot Developing the internal policies and procedures to administer VET TEC, as well as design the required communications (letters) and enforcement requirements for the program. Specialized to Buffalo RPO Established Veteran and Training Provider Experience Maps Worked with Office of General Counsel (OGC) and Office of Resource Management (ORM) on Participation Agreements instead of traditional acquisition model Requires IT support to issue payments

Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Decreases the amount of entitlement under the Survivors’ and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program from 45 months to 36 months Applies to individuals who first use DEA after August 1, 2018 Individuals who first use DEA prior to August 1, 2018, would still qualify for a maximum of 45 months of entitlement Veterans best interest to begin using the benefits prior to August 1, 2018 Section 202 – Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) Program from 45 to 36 months Develop a Procedural Advisory for claims processors to make the appropriate entitlement adjustments in the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN). A communications plan will also be developed to notify claimants of the change and their options. On March 5th, released Procedural Advisory to amend Certificates of Eligibility to display proper months of entitlement Check policy for increase in payment amount

Section 304 - Annual Reporting Fees Increased
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Revises the requirements governing reporting fees payable to educational institutions and joint apprenticeship training committees Increases the annual fee to $16 for each eligible individual enrolled in VA's education and vocational rehabilitation and employment programs Fees paid based on student count from Jan 1 to Dec 31 One fee paid per student Prohibits an educational institution or a sponsor of a program of apprenticeship with 100 or more enrollees (includes all education chapters, e.g., chapters 31, 35) from using reporting fees from VA for or merging fees with the amounts in the general fund Section Annual Reporting Fees Increased Send an information notification to schools and the School Certifying Official (SCO) handbook will be updated. Establish the verification requirements and incorporate into a compliance survey training. Working with ORM to update reporting fees and release letters to schools

Section 305 – Training Requirements for SCOs
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Authorizes VA, in consultation with the SAAs, to provide training requirements for school certifying officials If an educational institution does not ensure that a school certifying official meets the training requirements, VA may disapprove any course of education offered by the educational institution A "covered educational institution" would refer to an educational institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using VA educational assistance Section 305 – Training Requirements for SCOs Develop the internal policies and procedures by which we will communicate and enforce School Certifying Official (SCO) training requirements. Design the processes and requirements and the standardized training materials for SCOs. Phased approach: Phase 1: New SCOs Phase 2: Existing SCOs Coordinating with Employee Development and Training (ED&T) to develop training modules Collaborating with SAAs and SCOs for input on process

Section 308 - Entitlement Information for Schools
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Requires VA to make available to educational institutions information about the amount of educational assistance to which a Veteran or other individual is entitled under chapters 30, 32, 33, or 35 This information required to be provided through a secure, accessible, information technology system System will be updated regularly to reflect any amounts used by the Veteran or other individual A Veteran or other individual may elect not to provide the information Section Entitlement Information for Schools OIT will develop a mechanism by which schools are able to view student entitlement information as well as the requirement for a student “opt out” option. Developed form to allow students to opt-out Modifying all applications include opt-out option Timeframe to execute is dependent on OI&T

Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Authorizes VA to consider as active duty for establishing eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, time reservists spend called to service in response to– Major disasters or emergencies, as authorized under 12304a of title 10, U.S.C. Pre-planned missions in support of combatant commands, as authorized under b of title 10 U.S.C. Service must occur on or after June 30, 2008 Payable to pursue a course of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018 Date of Enactment: August 1, 2018 Section Add Reserve Call-Up Authorities as Creditable for GI Bill Develop, in conjunction with DoD, the ability to identify 12304, 12304a, and 12304b recipients in Veterans Information Solution (VIS). Create a Procedural Advisory for correct input in the Long Term Solution (LTS). Service in VIS

Section 203 – Increased Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) Payments
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: October 1, 2018 Increases the amounts payable for DEA to a monthly allowance of – $1,224 for full-time coursework $967 for three-quarter time $710 for half-time coursework Effective October 1, 2018 FY 2019 rates will be calculated from increased amount Section 203 – Increased Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) Payments Work with HINES to implement a rate change in the same manner as the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) adjustment.

Section 301 – State Approving Agency (SAA) Funding Increase
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: FY 2019 For fiscal year 2019 and thereafter the amount is $23 million Authorizes VA to increase this amount by the same percentage as the increase in benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act whenever an increase takes place beginning in fiscal year 2019 Authorizes $3 million in appropriated funds for fiscal year 2019 and each subsequent fiscal year Increases the amount of funding for reimbursements payable to State Approving Agencies (SAA) from $19 million to $21 million for FY 2018 Section 301 – State Approving Agency (SAA) Funding Increase Compliance and Liaison will develop strategy and policy for releasing extra funding to be included in the FY SAA funding letter. Assessing the need for additional $3 million in General Operating Expense (GOE) funding for FY19 Coordinating with Acquisitions to secure contract to enhance SAA allocation model To be done via internal memo

Date of Enactment: August 1, 2019 Authorizes VA to provide up to 9 months of additional Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to eligible individuals– Entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill Used or will use all educational assistance within 180 days of applying for the STEM Scholarship Enrolled in a STEM program leading to a undergraduate degree that requires more than the standard 128 semester credit hours and completed at least 60 semester credit hours; or Earned a STEM undergraduate degree and enrolled in a teaching certification program Priority is given to certain individuals Individual aggregate amount paid may not exceed $30,000; FY total amounts payable to all eligible individuals limited Colleges or Universities are authorized to pay Yellow Ribbon benefits; not VA Requires the Comptroller General to submit to Congress an interim and final report Section STEM Develop the internal policies and procedures by which we will administer the STEM provisions, as well as design the required communications (letters) and enforcement requirements for the program. The implementation of this section will be specialized to a single processing team in an RPO (Buffalo) with a supervisor designated early in the process to work directly with the implementation team. Requires major IT support

Section 105 – Restore the 40%-60% Benefit Levels
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2020 Consolidates the current amount of qualifying active duty service at the 50% and 60% benefit level Removes the 40% benefit level Section 105 – Restore the 40%-60% Benefit Levels Develop the information technology (IT) business rules and communication and training strategy for implementation of this section. Requires major IT support

Section 104 – Yellow Ribbon for Active Duty
Policy Interpretation Date of Enactment: August 1, 2022 Expands the Yellow Ribbon Program to include certain active duty Servicemembers Section 104 – Yellow Ribbon for Active Duty Without IT support for LTS changes: develop a Job Aid to calculate the change in payment policy for individual claimants. A procedure will be designed for claims processors to make the payment and modify the notification letters. A communications plan will be developed to identify and inform the impacted populations of the change. With IT support, the business process development team will create a Project Initiation Request (PIR) for the appropriate changes in LTS. This implementation process will be directed to the Education Service Legislative Implementation Team. Requires major IT support Revised 4/23

Where Can I Find More Information?
WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: TWITTER: Follow TELEPHONE: GIBILL-1 ( ) (Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST)

Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback