1. Veterans Education and Training Programs Introduction State Approving Agency State of Illinois Education Benefits Other Federal Programs Pre-Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Marine Gunnery Sergeant Fry Scholarship Education Benefit Factors Questions

2. Illinois State Approving Agency Protecting the integrity of the GI Bill for 70 years Approve programs of education and training Conduct compliance surveys Provide technical assistance (training) to education and training facilities Outreach services to veterans

3. Central Office in Springfield (Dan Wellman and Melissa Cushman) Bloomington Office (Kent Ketter) Wheaton Office (Andy Pieper) Chicago Office (Tiffany Perry and Enrique Cabrera) Illinois State Approving Agency

4. Illinois Veterans Education Benefits Illinois Veterans’ Grant (IVG) The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and mandatory fees for either undergraduate or graduate study at all Illinois public universities and community colleges for Illinois Veterans who qualify. Illinois National Guard Scholarship The National Guard Scholarship Program pays tuition and certain fees for either undergraduate or graduate study at all Illinois public universities and community colleges for Illinois National Guard service members. ***See http://www.collegezone.com for forms and details.http://www.collegezone.com

5. GI Bill Benefits Programs Pre-Post 9/11 GI Bill Programs –Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB- SR) –Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) –Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD) –Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents Educational Benefits Post 9/11 GI Bill Programs – The Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) – Transfer of Entitlement – Gunnery Sergeant Fry Scholarship Rules on Combined Use of Chapters

6. GI Bill Benefits Programs Type of training – What type of training does the GI Bill cover? –Degree and Non-College Degree Programs –Apprenticeship Programs –On-the-Job Training Programs –Flight Training –Licensing and Certification Exams –Correspondence Training

7. Pre-Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Overview Pre-Post 9/11 GI Bill programs are entitlement programs that directly pay veterans a monthly benefit based on the following: Eligibility, Rate and Type of Training Base Amount of Monthly Benefit for University and College Training: –Chapter 30: $1717 –Chapter 1606: $367 –Chapter 1607 (eligibility determined by length of longest period of active duty since 9/10/01): 90 days but less than 1 year: 40% of Chapter 30 ($686.80) 1 year but less than but less than 2 years: 60% of Chapter 30 ($1030.20) 2 years or more: 80% of Chapter 30 ($1373.60) College Funds/Kickers/Enlistment Incentives added to Base Amount

8. Pre-Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Overview Chapter 30 Chapter 1606 Chapter 1607* Chapter 35 Full-Time$1717$367$686.80$1018 ¾ Time$1287.50$274$515.70$763 ½ Time$858.50$182$343.40$506 ¼ Time$429.25$91.75$171.70$254.50 *Based on 90 days to less than 1 year of active duty eligibility

9. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Eligibility Individuals who served on active duty after 09/10/01 will be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if the individual: Served for an aggregate period of at least 90 days. Served at least 30 continuous days and received a disability discharge. Active duty service is cumulative Basic and advanced individual training only used in computation for eligibility if the veteran has served at least 2 years on Title 10 active duty since 9/10/01 and the basic and advanced individual training occurred after that same date

10. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Eligibility Service Requirements (after 9/10/01 serve an aggregate of) % of Maximum Benefit Payable 36 months 100 30 continuous days ( Must be discharged with a disability) 30 months, but less than 36 months90 24 months, but less than 30 months80 18 months, but less than 24 months70 12 months, but less than 18 months60 06 months, but less than 12 months 50 90 days, but less than 06 months 40 100

11. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Benefit Payments Tuition and Fees Charged (Universities/Colleges/Schools) Monthly Housing Allowance Stipend for Books and Supplies NOTE: Payments made at eligibility percentage of veteran for all three of the above payments.

12. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Tuition and Fees Charged Individuals paid at eligibility percentage All in-state tuition and fees at public schools Out of state tuition and fees, beyond in state tuition and fees at public schools, only covered under Yellow Ribbon program Private and foreign schools capped at $20,235.02 annually, effective 8/1/14-7/31/15 Yellow Ribbon will still cover out-of-state fees and costs above the cap for those with 100% eligibility

13. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Monthly Housing Allowance Eligible individuals attending at more than ½ time will receive a monthly housing allowance equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents –Amount determined by zip code of the university/college where the student is enrolled. –Prorated based on enrollment (rounded to the nearest 10%) –No more break pay; housing allowance and other chapters of the GI Bill will only pay for dates of actual attendance –Veterans enrolled solely in distance learning and attending at more than ½ time will receive a monthly housing allowance equivalent to the national average of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents

14. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Monthly Housing Allowance BAH payable for certain communities with Universities and Colleges (in-resident training) Rates change every August 1st Belleville $1248Mattoon $1146 Carbondale $1128Moline $1203 Champaign $1179Normal $1404 Chicago $1977Peoria $1194 Dekalb $1422Quincy $1089 Macomb $1128Springfield $1059 100% Online Training$754.50

15. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Book Stipend Up to $1,000 per year ($41.67 per credit hour at 100% eligibility for 24 credit hours) –Prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit payable. Paid proportionally for each quarter, semester or term attended. Active duty members eligible for book stipend effective October 1, 2011.

16. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Benefit Payments for Apprenticeship and OJT Programs Housing Allowance –First 6 Months 100% of Monthly Housing Allowance –Second 6 Months 80% of Monthly Housing Allowance –Third 6 Months 60% of Monthly Housing Allowance –Fourth 6 Months 40% of Monthly Housing Allowance –Fifth 6 Months 20% of Monthly Housing Allowance Book and Supply Stipend: $83 per month NOTE: Payments made at eligibility percentage of veteran for all three of the above payments.

17. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Transfer of Entitlement Department of Defense administered program; DoD determines eligibility for Transfer of Entitlement Service members who have served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces and agree to serve at least another 4 years in the Armed Forces may transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlement to spouse after 6 years of service and dependent children after 10 years Each branch of service has additional service requirements Dependents who receive transferred benefits paid exactly as the veteran would be paid

18. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Transfer of Entitlement Delimiting Date for Spouses –15 Year Delimiting Date for Veteran –Earlier Date set by Veteran –Revocation by Veteran Delimiting Date for Dependent Children –26 th Birthday of Dependent Child; or –Earlier Date set by Veteran; –Revocation by Veteran; Veteran and Dependents both responsible for overpaid benefits https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB

19. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Fry Scholarship Eligibility –Children who active duty member who died in the line of duty on or after 9/11/2001. Entitlement –36 months of Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlement at the 100% eligibility level between ages of 18 and 33 –VA will begin accepting application on May 1, 2010 Retroactive Provisions –Effective date 9/1/2009, but VA has until 8/1/2010 to begin issuing payments

20. Education Benefit Factors Factors: - Educational Goals (Apprenticeship, BA/BS, MA/MS) - Benefits Available (Chapters, Months) - Type of Institution (Public or Private; Location) - State Veterans Education Grants or Benefits - Federal Financial Aid (Income Adjustment/Additional Resource - Financial Needs Factors to consider when deciding how you can maximize your education benefits to achieve your education and training goals!

21. Questions and Contact Info Melissa Cushman Veterans’ Education Specialist Illinois State Approving Agency Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (Work) 217.785.4578 (Fax) 217.524.8394 Email: melissa.cushman@Illinois.gov