POST-9/11 VETERANS EDUCATION ASSISTANCE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2010 CHANGES AS OF 01 SEPTEMBER 2014 Latest Changes, Funding Levels, Transferability Policy and Lessons Learned

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD G.I. BILL MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM SPECIALIST REIDUS A. STOKES SR. UNITED STATES COAST GUARD G.I. BILL MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM SPECIALIST 703-872-6643 (OFFICE) ARL-PF-CGPSC-PSDFS-GIBILL@uscg.mil

Objectives Understand the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefit Discuss PSD’s roll in Ch33 and how this impacts you Transfer of Education Benefit Processing Draft Regulations Congressional Inquires DMDC Transfer of Education Benefit (TEB) Website https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/ Department of Veterans Affairs Websites http://www.va.gov/ https://www.ebenefits.va.gov Identify areas that cause concern, need to be addressed, or need clarity

Overview of Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility 30 Jun 08, Title 38, US Code was amended by adding Ch33, Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Benefits available to veterans and members of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserves) for education pursued on or after 1 Aug 09 90 aggregate days or more active duty, beginning on or after 11 Sept 01 Full benefits available after 36 months of qualifying service Pro-rated benefits for veteran’s and SELRES based upon qualified time in service Active duty eligible 90 days after completion of entry level and/or skill training SELRES qualifying time includes: both voluntary and non-voluntary periods of mobilization, ADSW, ADOS and ADT. It does not include AT Exceptions to qualifying service USCG Academy (Graduating Class starting 2011) qualifying GI Bill start date follows completion of commissioning source statutory service obligation (AC, RC & Veterans) College Loan Repayment Program qualifying start date follows completion of service obligation (AC, RC and Veterans) Boot Camp and “A” school training are excluded for service less than 24 months (Veterans and RC with fewer than 36 months on active duty) Eligibility based on Qualifying Active Duty Service as Determined by VA

Overview of Post-9/11 GI Bill Qualifying Service Aggregate Service Requirements Includes Entry Level and Skill Training % of Maximum Benefit (1) At least 36 months Includes Entry Level/Skill Training 100 % (2) At least 30 consecutive days, discharged or released for a service-connected disability 100% (3) At least 30 months, but less than 36 months 90% (4) At least 24 months, but less than 30 months 80% (5) At least 18 months, but less than 24 months Excludes 70% (6) At least 12 months, but less than 18 months 60% (7) At least 6 months, but less than 12 months 50% (8) At least 90 days, but less than 6 months 40% Banner Note: If a member has completed at least one 36 month or more honorable enlistment and then reenlist and has a major flaw that causes them to be discharges with a less than honorable service discharge they still retain Post 9/11 benefits. However it will negatively effect transferability if this flaw happens during the four years required to transfer the benefit to their dependent(s) and they were discharged before they were able to complete the four years of service . Members only need one creditable service enlistment to earn their benefit

Overview of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits Tuition & Fees when pursing a college degree (VA is last payer) Allows NET payment of all in-state tuition and fees at public institutions, including graduate and professional degrees AND Caps private & foreign school tuition and fees at $20,235.02/year Tuition and fees are paid to institution After all other payment/scholarships are applied toward TA have been used. Yellow Ribbon Available for veterans and family members who are 100% eligible for benefits May be used to cover out-of-state charges & charges above the $20,235.02/year cap Not available for active duty and their spouses Tuition & fees when pursing a non-college degree Net payment for in-state tuition or fees for public institutions Net payment for actual costs not to exceed $20,235.02/year for foreign & private schools OJT pays prorated on time in the program Flight training pays the actual net costs not to exceed $11,562.86/year Correspondence courses pays actual net costs not to exceed $9,828.43 per academic year

Overview of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits Books and Supplies Up to $1,000 annually for books and supplies when pursing a degree $83 per month for books and supplies when attending non-degree programs and on-the- job training Active duty members and spouses may receive the book stipend $1,000/24credits = $41.66 per credit taken paid to the student Top-up pays book stipend based on course load (Using only TA may receive the book stipend but their benefits will be charged at a very high rate) Examinations: May be reimbursed for more than one licensing or certification test May be reimbursed for National Exams such as SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE For each of the above categories of exams your entitlement will be charged at the following rate: 1 month of benefit for each exam that costs between $1 - $1,460, 2 months of benefit for each exam that costs between $1,461 - $2,920, ETC VA can pay MGIB kickers as part of the monthly stipend as opposed to a lump sum You will only see this money if you are eligible for BAH stipend, (active duty and spouse while on active duty will not get this kicker) MGIB $600 buy-up is not transferred into the Post 9/11 GI Bill

Overview of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits Housing Allowance: The monthly housing allowance for non-distance learning programs (degree and nondegree) will be prorated based on rate of pursuit, rounded to the nearest multiple of 10, for example: A student enrolled in 9 credits when 12 credits is full time. The rate of pursuit is 75% and the student will receive 80% of the applicable BAH rate A student who enrolled in 10 credits when 12 credits is full time, the rate of pursuit is 83% and the student will also receive 80% of the applicable BAH rates Must be attending full time to receive full applicable BAH rates If attending less than half time, the BAH will not be paid Monthly housing allowance may be payable to students enrolled solely in distance learning programs Limits to a max of 50% of the national BAH average Distance learning monthly allowance for students attending full-time in 2014 is $754.50 Prorated based on rate of pursuit, for example; A student whose rate of pursuit is 75% would receive 80% $754.50 or $603.60 a month BAH payments vary for OJT training, contact the VA for their current payment rate, (Flight training does not receive a BAH payment) BAH will not be paid during breaks or between terms

Transferability Service Obligation Starting 01 August 2013 IN MAY 2013, USCG COMMANDANT SENT A MEMORANDUM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY REQUESTING AN endorsement to Title 38, United States Code, Chapter 33, along with DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION(DODI) 1341.13-Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, authorizing the use of the transfer of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill education benefits for the continuation of promoting recruitment and retention of members in the United States Coast Guard THIS REQUEST WAS APPROVED. STARTING 01 AUGUST 2013, ALL COAST GUARD MEMBERS WISHING TO TRANSFER THEIR POST-9/11 G.I. BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS TO THEIR ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS MUST OBLIGATE AN ADDITIONAL 48 MONTHS SERVICE FROM THE DATE OF REQUESTED TRANSFER.

Transferability Service Obligation Transferability is a retention tool, not a benefit of the service member and is based on qualifying time in the Armed Forces, NOT active duty time The election to transfer benefits to family members must be entered into while the member is in the Armed Forces Member must first be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill Member to have served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces Member to agree to serve at least another 4 years Active or Reserve from date of transfer Current Law Requires…

Transferability Service Obligation Prior to 01 August 2013 Member who has served at least 10 years and either standard policy (Service or DoD) or statute “preclude” them from committing to four additional years, may still transfer benefits but must commit for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute All service members transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits must obligate 48 months additional service from date of election Any member "involuntarily" and honorably discharged/retired, i.e., CRSP, medical board, disability, etc., can transfer benefits while still on Active Duty without having to obligate additional service time. Service obligation begins when member elects transferability

Criteria For Transferability to Family Members To be eligible, family member must be enrolled in DEERS at the time of transfer but do not have to be in DEERS when used. Children over the age of 21 must be enrolled full-time in college to remain in DEERS. Once children reach the age of 23, they are no longer eligible for transferability Dual Military non benefit designated service member must go to their PSD ID Card section so they can have their dependents added to their DEERS Service member may transfer all or a portion to dependents Modification or revocation May add, modify or revoke entitlement while serving in the Armed Forces May modify or revoke entitlement after separating from the Armed Forces Recommend that you transfer at least 1 month to all your dependents Spouse of Active Duty Member May use once the sponsor has served 6 years of service and agrees to 4 additional years May receive book stipend if enrolled after 1 Oct 2011 Benefit prorated based on sponsor’s eligibility tier 15-year limitation on benefit use from sponsors last Honorable Discharge

Other Transferability Criteria Modification or revocation May add, modify or revoke entitlement while serving in the Armed Forces May modify or revoke entitlement after separating from the Armed Forces Funds received are not taxable income Is not considered in any property settlement Death of sponsor does not affect the transferred entitlement Failure to complete Service agreement Subject to collection of used benefits by VA May result in loss of transferability option as determined by Coast Guard policy Exceptions Discharge for a non service connected medical condition Discharge for hardship Discharge for physical or mental condition (not a disability) that interferes with performance of duty

Other Transferability Criteria Spouse of Selected Reserve or Veteran is eligible for all benefits Dependent child, regardless of sponsor status (AC, RC, Veteran) May use after sponsor has completed 10 years of service Is authorized both the monthly and books/supplies stipends Must meet the requirements of secondary school diploma or 18 years of age May not use after reaching the age of 26 Dual military that have a combined 72 months of benefit can transfer a combined amount of 72 months to one dependent Funds are not taxable & are not considered in any property settlement Failure to complete Service agreement Subject to collection of used benefits by VA and may result in loss of transferability option as determined by Navy policy Exceptions: Discharge for a non service connected medical condition, for hardship or for a physical or mental condition (not a disability) that interferes with performance of duty Death of sponsor does not affect the transferred entitlement

HOW MANY MONTHS SHOULD I TRANSFER? The Department of Veterans “suggest” that you transfer one month to each dependent prior to separation, discharge or retirement. USCG PSC-fs “suggest” that if you are going to transfer one month to each dependent, transfer all 36 months (or whatever months you have remaining) to your dependent(s). If you die and only transferred part of your GI Bill education benefit to your dependent(s), that’s all they get. No one can change what you transferred to them if you’re no longer here.

The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 was signed into Law on 04 January 2011. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will now pay all public school in-state tuition and fees; this includes graduate training, etc. For students attending private institutions of higher learning or foreign schools, the tuition and fee reimbursement is capped at the lesser of net out-of-pocket cost or $20,235.02 annually – however the Yellow Ribbon Program still exists Reimbursement is now available for fees paid to take national examinations used for admission to an institution of higher learning (e.g. SAT, LSAT, ACT, GMAT, etc)

The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 was signed into Law on 04 January 2011. Break or interval pay is no longer payable under any VA education benefit program unless under an Executive Order of the President or due to an emergency situation such as a natural disaster or strike. Entitlement which previously would have been used for break pay will be available for use during a future enrollment. This means that if your semester ends December 15 your housing allowance is paid for the first 15 days of December only. Your benefits will begin again when your new semester begins (e.g. January 15) and you will be paid for the remaining days of that month and term. Students using other VA education programs are included in this change. Monthly benefits will be prorated in the same manner.

How Much Is This Worth To Me? If your dependent attends University of Maryland College Park. (This office does not endorse any academic college/university over another) They can receive up to : $80,940.08 tuition/fees ($20,235.02 each year) and housing/books (example: UMUC College Park Zip 20742) Housing Stipend = E-5 Dependent Rate BAH $2,175.00 x 36 months + Books (@ $1,000 academic year) = $82,300.00 These Benefits are Non-taxable!

Congressional Inquires BCMRs & PRRBs Answer Congressional Inquires for Active and Prior USCG Service Members Provide input on BCMR and PRRB request

Department of VA websites http://www.va.gov/ https://www.ebenefits.va.gov USCG websites http://www.uscg.mil/psc/psd/fs/GI_Bill.asp http://www.uscg.mil/hr/cgi/

Questions? Mr. Reidus A. Stokes Sr. USCG PSC PSD-FS Contact Mr. Reidus A. Stokes Sr. USCG PSC PSD-FS ARL-PF-CGPSC-PSDFS-GIBILL@uscg.mil reidus.stokes@uscg.mil 703-872-6643