Annual Conference May 19 – 22, 2015 St. Augustine, FL

DECIPHERING DD214s

Armed Forces Member/Veteran Requirement -Serving/served on AD (including basic training) in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. -National Guard or Reserve only considered veterans if called to active federal duty by presidential order for a purpose other than training. -Any service characterization except dishonorable. Includes fraudulent entry provided entire period of service was not voided. -Service academy/preparatory school students for at least 1 day are veterans if service characterization was not dishonorable. -The possession of a DD214 does not mean the person is a veteran.

DD FORM 214 -Block 2: Department, Component and Branch -Army/RA = Regular -Army/USAR = Reserve -Army/ARNGUS = National Guard -Navy – USN = Regular -Navy – USNR = Reserve -USMC – 11 = Regular -USMC – K1 = Reserve -Air Force – REGAF = Regular -Air Force – AFRC = Reserve -Air Force – ANGUS = Air National Guard -Homeland Security – USCG = Regular -Homeland Security – USCGR = Reserve

DD FORM 214 -Block 12.c.: Record of Service - Net Active Service This Period -Determine length of active service for DD 214 period. Note: Guard/Reserve personnel can have more than one DD If the member was AD, served 1 or more days, and did not receive a dishonorable discharge (Block 24) they are considered a veteran even if they committed a military crime or were discharged for conduct/performance (Block 28). Fraudulent entry is acceptable permitted their entire period of service was not voided. Block 18: Remarks -If the member was Guard/Reserve they must have been called to AD by presidential orders for purposes other than training. -If the member served for purposes other than training it will be identified stating where they served and the dates. -If service was anything other than dishonorable and meets the criteria list above then the member is a veteran. -Title 32 v. Title 10 is typically specific here. -If the Guard/Reserve member was on active duty for training only then they are not considered a veteran for financial aid purposes. This can be determined by looking at blocks 2, 11, 12.c, 18, 23, 24, & 28.

DD FORM 214 -Block 23: Type of Separation -This entry depends on the Character of Service (24). If block 24 is anything other than Honorable you will typically see “Discharge” or “Discharged”. -If member was Guard/Reserve and on AD for training you will see “Release from active duty training” or “Release from IADT” or “Released from active duty”. -AD members will have “Released from active duty”. -Block 24: Character of Service -DD 214 must have a Service Characterization of anything other than dishonorable to be considered a veteran. -Block 28: Narrative Reason for Separation -“Completion of Required Active Service” “Fraudulent Entry” “Misconduct (Serious Offense)” “Completion of Initial Active Duty Training”

QUESTIONS?

ASSESSING SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION

Selective Service System Registration Requirement -Any person age 18 – 25 assigned the sex of male at birth must register. -Males residing in U.S. who are U.S. citizens or noncitizens, except those in the U.S. as lawful nonimmigrant as long as they maintain that status. -Students who are required to register must do so to be eligible for FSA funds. -Parents applying for PLUS loans are not required to have registered.

Exemptions -Males currently in Armed Services and on AD; not applicable to Reserve/National Guard not on AD. -Males not yet 18 when completing application. -Males born before Noncitizens who first entered U.S. after turning 26. -Transgender males assigned sex of female at birth. -Unable to register due to hospitalization, incarceration, or institutionalization for the entire time 18 – 25. * List is not all inclusive.

Failure to Register -If student does not meet an exemption or did not serve on AD with appropriate service characterization, he must obtain a SSS status information letter addressing failure to register. -Students can appeal to the agency awarding funds to justify their failure to register. Appeal Considerations -Where did student live when 18 – 25. -Whether student claims he thought he was registered. -Why student claims he was not aware of requirement.

Status Information Letter Codes Two character code in bottom left-hand corner of SSS status information letter. Decision should not be based solely on these codes. – RD: Student gave reason for not registering; SSS determined reason was invalid. – RH: Student was sent one or more letters requesting that he register, but all letters were returned by USPS. – RL: Student was required to register, but SSS has no record of registration, and 1 or more letters were sent requesting he register. – RR: Student said he attempted to register, but SSS has no proof of the attempt. – Schools decision is final except in one limited instance

Just enough evidence to make it more likely than not that the fact is proved to be true.

QUESTIONS?

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