July 9, Education Update for Florida School Conference Attendees Dennis Douglass Education Service Washington, DC July 9, 2002

2 Topics of Interest Enacted Legislation –PL , Veterans Education & Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 –PL , Defense Authorization Bill Pending Legislation Education Service Projects

July 9, Benefit Rate Increases Increases MGIB full time rates for 3 year enlistment to: –$800 Jan 1, 2002 –$900 Oct 1, 2002 –$985 Oct 1, 2003 –COLA Oct 1, 2004 Increases MGIB full time rates for less than 3 year enlistment to: –$650 Jan 1, 2002 –$732 Oct 1, 2002 –$800 Oct 1, 2003 –COLA Oct 1, 2004

July 9, Other Rate Increases Increases full time rates for MGIB recipients with remaining Ch 34 entitlement (without dependents) to: –$988 Jan 1, 2002 –$1088 Oct 1, 2002 –$1173 Oct 1, 2003 –COLA Oct 1, 2004 Increases DEA full time benefits to $670 effective January 1, 2002

July 9, Other Provisions Restores benefits when individual is called to active duty under certain sections of title 10 USC Expands MGIB eligibility for some Vietnam Era veterans Increases maximum allowable annual Senior ROTC educational assistance for eligibility for benefits under MGIB

July 9, Other Provisions Expands approval for distance learning (accredited independent study program) to include certificates that reflect educational attainment offered by an institution of higher learning. Includes certain private technology entities in definition of “educational institution” Expands work study

July 9, Accelerated Payments Accelerated payments for education leading to employment in high technology industry –Beginning with enrollments in courses or programs of education on or after 10/01/02 –Tuition and fees for enrollment period must be 200% of the regular monthly MGIB rate payable –Accelerated payment is lesser of –60% of established charges –The aggregate amount of entitlement individual has remaining –Individual must request accelerated payment

July 9, Accelerated Payments VA must publish regulations to administer Proposed regulations must be published with 60 day comment period for public to comment Proposed regulations define “high tech” and “high technology occupations Law did not specify accelerated payment only for short term courses. –Can be used for regular college courses if courses lead to employment in “high technology industry”

July 9, Defense Authorization Bill: Transferability Permits military services to allow service members, as a reenlistment option, to transfer MGIB entitlement to dependents Must have completed 6 years and agree to serve 4 more years –Transfer up to 18 months of entitlement –To spouse after 6 years of service –To children after 10 years of service –Children must use before age 26 Program criteria will be determined by the Armed Services Branches

July 9, months on active duty followed by 36 months in Selected Reserve and Service in the Individual Ready Reserve to complete the military obligation –Not eligible for MGIB (less than 24 months active duty) –Not eligible for MGIB-SR (less than 6 year Selected Reserve requirement) Army 18-Month Enlistment Pilot Program

July 9, Pending Legislation H.R. 745H.R H.R. 1280H.R H.R. 1962H.R H.R. 2020H.R H.R. 3465H.R H.R. 3731H.R S S S S S S S. 2514

July 9, Noteworthy Provisions Increase rates (MGIB, MGIB-SR, & DEA) Decrease (or eliminate entirely) the monthly MGIB “pay-in” Extend eligibility periods Provide service members another “open window” for MGIB participation Liberalize transferability criteria Increase SAA funding

July 9, Education Service Projects Monthly Verifications Outreach Activities Veterans Relationship Management The Education Expert System

July 9, Monthly Verifications for MGIB-SR Begins 8/1/2002 Notification Letters began in May Follow-up Letters in July No paper forms!!!! Paper eliminated for MGIB too!!! Toll-free ( ) or Internet (

July 9, Outreach Activities  Active Duty Mailings  12-month  24-month  Near-discharge  Other Outreach Efforts  Licensing & Certification Tests  Regular Pamphlets (Chapters 30, 32, 1606)  Notice of Chapter 30 Status

July 9, Veterans Relationship Management  VRM is a comprehensive strategy to improve customer service delivery by integrating people, process, and technology to manage veteran interactions through multiple channels  VRM will provide  A history of all claimant contact (phone, , letters, etc.)  Claimant access to frequently needed data

July 9, The Education Expert System (TEES): What is it? A redesign of our payment systems into a single application within VBA’s corporate environment The incorporation of rules-based processing to automate the adjudication of education benefit claims Changes to current applications

July 9, OLAF Training Institutions eCERT TEES OSAP Phase II Student WAVE IVR - CERT DMDC Data Veteran Claims Examiners TIMS Student VRM How Does It All Fit Together?

July 9, Want More Information on VA Education Benefits? Send $19.95 (plus shipping and Handling) to ……. Or better yet “surf” on over to It’s fast, free, & full of information!!!

July 9, Questions?