1. Benefits 101 A Presentation for the PASFFA 08 April 2014 Don Accamando Duquesne University School of Leadership Military Program Director 412-396-5366 accamandod@duq.edu

2. Overview The Veterans Administration (VA) Benefit types Who’s on the team? ◦ Recommendations from the players Observations from a distance Questions

3. The VA Contact the VA office near you ◦ Haven’t seen them yet? Problems will come. ◦ Partner with them for presentations. ◦ Any forum for veterans on campus is good It is a Bureaucracy! ◦ Some vets are leery of the system

4. The VA That being said, they need the VA ◦ Must have a Certificate of Eligibility, “COE” ◦ Apply online VONAPP ◦ http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp Six weeks is the normal line…

5. Certifying Official tips A good CO will explain what’s needed to get started and briefly explain the benefit options Contact the CO once registered ◦ Reconnect each semester Don’t bill until after drop/add Weigh the options ◦ May want to use other funding for summer

6. Contact the CO Drop / Add / Withdraw Cancellation Stop Attending Graduating Mitigating Circumstances Change of Major Change of Benefit

7. Benefit Types Ch. 30 (MGIB) Old GI Bill: ◦ Enlisted after 07of ’85, pay $1,200 up front ◦ Monthly Payment approx. $1,600 Ch. 31 Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) ◦ Service-connected disability requires rehab ◦ Disability of 10% or greater. (hearing loss) ◦ Covers tuition plus, a monthly COLA : $585.11

8. Benefit Types Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) ◦ Active Duty or Reserve Component ◦ AD > than 90 days following 9/11/2001 ◦ Based on months of service, ◦ Entitlement ranges from 40% to 100% ◦ Tuition and Fees, Book & Supply Stipend and Housing Allowance, $1,600

9. Benefit Types Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) cont. Transfer of Eligibility (ToE) ◦ Dependent(s) and/or spouse of AD vets ◦ Must transfer while still active! ◦ Approved through the branch and DOD.

10. Benefit Types Ch. 35 (DEA) Survivors and Dependents ◦ As the name implies ◦ Spouse and/or Children (ages 18-26) ◦ 100% service connected disability ◦ Their death was service connected ◦ Monthly Stipend: Approximately $1,000

11. Time for a break Keep in mind that Ch. 33 may be transferred, (ToE) Think about the circumstances of the Survivor Benefit option. Both cases, may not be talking with a vet, and think about the circumstances tied to the survivor. Something to ponder.

12. Benefit Types Ch. 1606 ◦ 6-years Reserve Component after July1985 ◦ Complete initial training and in good standing ◦ Monthly Stipend: $362.00 (Kicker Available) Ch. 1607 Reserve Ed. Assist. Pro. REAP ◦ Reserve Component > 90 days post 9/11 ◦ Response to a war or national emergency  Monthly Stipend: 2+ years $1,300,  1 year but < 2: $988.80, 90 days <year: $659.20

13. Benefit Types National Guard EAP ◦ 6 year enlistment or reenlistment ◦ Successfully complete Basic Training ◦ Complete EAP form 1 and PHEAA Promissory Note ◦ Fall & Spring Term app deadline June 30th ◦ Pays 100% Tuition (Does Not Pay Fees!)

14. Benefit Types Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Member of Guard or Reserves Must be in the unit while using FTA May use with MGIB (TA top-up) Pays 100% Tuition and Fees (cap 250$ per semester hour) $4,500 Fiscal Year Max Apply @ www.GoArmyEd.comwww.GoArmyEd.com

15. TA tips Navy, USMC, USCG and USAF must submit TA forms to the and we bill AD Army, Army Guard and Reserve students use the Go Army Ed portal. Navy, USMC, and USCG invoices are submitted through the WAWF portal Best to wait until after Add/Drop before invoicing, ensure, proper billing

16. TA tips USAF Air Force portal as the Tuition Assistance forms are received. Active Army, Army Guard and Reserve students, submitted through Go Army Ed portal quarterly; to ensure payment, we bill late in the quarter.

17. Observations Plenty of benefits Most new students are confused Connect with the VA for help Ensure your team is informed

18. QUESTIONS ?