1. Financial Aid & Veterans
Presented by:
Fred Howard
Director of Veterans Services
Wor-Wic Community College
11 Oct 2018
NEOPHYTE training
Tel:

2. Overview FAFSA….who is a Veteran? DD-214’s Active Duty
National Guard & Reservist
GI-Bill® Chapters
Vocational Rehabilitation
MHEC Scholarships
Yellow Ribbon Program
Tuition Assistance (TA)
Professional Judgements

3. Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
This question cannot be left blank.
Select Yes if you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
You are a veteran if you:
Have engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or are a National Guard or Reserve enlistee who was called to active duty for other than state or training purposes, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, and
Were released under a condition other than dishonorable.
Also select Yes if you are not a veteran now but will be one by June 30, 2018.
Select No if you:
Have never engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the U.S. Armed Forces,
Are currently an ROTC student, a cadet or midshipman at a service academy,
Are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for state or training purposes, or
Were engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces but released under dishonorable conditions.
Also select No if you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and will continue to serve through June 30, 2018.
Source:
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
FAFSA
Question

4. DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
The definition of veteran for Federal student aid purposes is not necessarily the same as the definition of veteran for VA purposes. This can lead to potential problems, since the FAFSA processor performs a data match with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records to confirm a student’s veteran status.
Source: purposes

6. FAFSA MISMATCHES
If the data match with VA records indicates that the student is not a veteran, but the student can present documentation indicating that they satisfy the requirements of the Higher Education Act, the school should perform a dependency override to treat them as an independent student. The student should also contact a regional VA office to have the records corrected, if necessary.
Satisfactory documentation includes a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
Active duty will not have a DD-214 until they separate from the service (for FAFSA documentation if no DD-214: Leave and Earnings statement (LES), military orders or their official military command letter)
Source:

7. “Under Honorable Conditions (General)”
There are only six possible entries for “Character of Service” on the DD-214:
“Honorable”
“Under Honorable Conditions (General)”
“Under Other Than Honorable Conditions”
“Bad Conduct”
“Dishonorable”
“Uncharacterized”
Only a “Dishonorable” discharge has relevance to independent student status. Although “Under Other Than Honorable Conditions” and “Bad Conduct” are both considered to be less than honorable discharges, they are less severe than a “Dishonorable” discharge. An individual receiving a discharge of “Under Other Than Honorable Conditions” after serving under activity duty status would be considered a veteran for Federal student aid purposes and hence an independent student. Although his or her discharge was less than honorable, it was not dishonorable.
Less than honorable discharges can occur for improper conduct (e.g., desertion, AWOL), conviction of a crime in military or civilian court (e.g., treason, sabotage, espionage, murder, rape, arson, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, assault with intent to kill, assault with a deadly weapon, or attempting to commit any of these crimes), or some other inappropriate action (e.g., fraudulent entry, conscientious objector). Nevertheless, only a dishonorable discharge prevents a student from being considered a veteran for Federal student aid purposes. A student with one of the other less-than-honorable discharges is still considered a veteran.
College financial aid personnel occasionally get confused when they see a character of service of “Under Other Than Honorable Conditions”. You need to emphasize to them that this is not the same as dishonorable, and that you are still considered a veteran for Federal student aid purposes.
Source:

8. National GuarD & Reservist
Check the box (FAFSA) if you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on active duty for other than state or training purposes.
Members of the National Guard or Reserves are only considered to be veterans if they were called up to active Federal duty by presidential order for a purpose other than training. A member of the National Guard or Reserves who is called up to active State duty is not considered a veteran. A key issue is whether they were under the control of a regular component of the US Armed Forces or remained under the control of the National Guard or Reserves.
Title 10 service means full-time duty in the active military service of the United States. The term used is federalized. Federalized National Guard forces have been ordered, by the President to active duty either in their reserve component status or by calling them into Federal service in their militia status. *Usually noted on DD-214.
May not have a DD-214 until after their Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Will have a DD-214 if deployed under Title 10

9. National Guard Tuition Assistance Programs
State Tuition Waiver (STW) The State Tuition Waiver is available for Soldiers and Airmen attending a “Partners in Education” institution. In order to apply, Soldiers and Airmen download the State Tuition Waiver form, have their Unit Commander sign the letter, and turn the completed document in to the finance office of their school. Most discounts range from 25% to 50% per semester.
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) is a benefit available for Soldiers in the ARNG that may be combined with the State Tuition Assistance (STA) programs. This program is governed by GoArmyEd ( The unit Education Office can assist Soldiers in setting up their account and applying for Tuition Assistance.
State Tuition Assistance Reimbursement (STAR) STAR is a program available to MDNG Soldiers and Airmen whose Tuition and Fees are not 100% covered by STW and FTA. Servicemembers can be reimbursed for these costs each semester. Servicemembers are required to turn in the STAR form to the Education Office, signed by their unit commander, along with a copy of their schedule and bill, within 45 days after the start of the semester. No later than 60 days after the end of the semester, servicemembers are required to turn in their grades to the Education office for reimbursement. Please check with the Education office to obtain current reimbursement rates.
Soldiers may not use both their TA and their Chapter 1606 GI-Bill® in the same semester. They must choose one or the other.

10. VA Educational Benefits (Chapters)
Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI-Bill®)
Military member contributed $ “buy-in” their first year of active duty;
Previous or “old” GI-Bill® from 1980’s through (Most eligible Vets switched to and/or opted for newer, more generous Post 9-11 GI-Bill® in 2009).
Pays a monthly stipend based on credit hour enrollment (“rate of pursuit”); same rate for all users
This GI-Bill® is rarely seen or used since the Post 9-11 GI-Bill® became effective 1 August 2009.
Payment chart:
Chapter 33 (Post 9-11 GI-Bill®)
For Veterans and military members who now serve or who have served on active duty since September (The individual’s percentage of eligibility is determined by the length of active duty service after 9-11). No monetary “buy-in.” (Refer to the Post 9-11 GI-Bill® brochure).
THE BIG ONE! Student Veteran enrollment spiked significantly nationally after (The VA averages $1 BILLION per year in payments to Vets and schools).
Pays tuition & fees, book stipend, monthly housing allowance which varies depending on school’s zip code 
Chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents‘ DEA)
For eligible spouse’s and/or the children of Veterans who died while on active service or have a 100% VA medical disability
Pays a monthly stipend based on credit hour enrollment (“rate of pursuit”)
 Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI-Bill Selected Reserve GI-Bill®)
Reservist and National Guard

13. Stipends (E-5 w/ dependent)
Post 9-11 GI-Bill® 2018 Monthly Housing
Stipends (E-5 w/ dependent)
School Zip Code BAH
UMCP $
UMBC $
AACC $
Towson $
Wor-Wic & SU /1 $   
Source:

14. Post 9-11 GI-Bill® Monthly Housing Stipend (E-5 w/ dependent)
School Zip Code BAH
San Francisco State $
New York City $
Honolulu Community College $
Source:

15. Tuition and Fees paid in full. Paid directly to the college
Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31)
For Veterans with a 20% to 100% medical disability rating. May include 10% at times.
 Tuition and Fees paid in full. Paid directly to the college
Textbooks paid in full. Paid directly to the college
Supply stipend of $75.00 per semester (included w/ bookstore)
Other instructional materials and supplies as required: (Examples: TI graphing calculator, rolling backpack, flash drives, lap-top w/ printer, medical supplies, etc).
Student Veterans in Voc Rehab receive a monthly education stipend (they are paid the applicable Chapter 33 BAH housing allowance if they are eligible for the Post 9-11 GI- Bill®. They are paid another monthly stipend if not Post 9-11 GI-Bill® eligible.
Voc Rehab monthly disability payments to the Veteran is untaxed income but should be reported on the FAFSA in the “non-educational Veteran benefit” section of the FAFSA and/or Verification Worksheet. (see the Disability Payment chart handout).

16. Which BENEFIT should I use? Which pays more?
Selection or choice of which GI-Bill® and VA educational program to use may vary depending on an individual’s current and past military service as well as medical disability status and the status of their parent in some cases.
Examples:
A Vet may go from Chapter 1606 to Chapter 33 to Chapter 31
A Reservist may go from Chapter 1606 to Chapter 33 to Chapter 31
A Vet may go from Chapter 30 to Chapter 31
A Vet may go from Chapter 33 to Chapter 31
A Vet may go from Chapter 31 to Chapter 33
A Vet may go from Chapter 3o or 31 to Chapter 35
A Reservist may go from Chapter 1606 to Chapter 35
Even more options may occur…

17. MHEC Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts (VAIC) Scholarship Program
Application Now Closed. Please check your MDCAPS account for award updates.
WHO MAY APPLY
The Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to United States armed forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their sons, daughters, or spouses who are current high school seniors, and full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary institution.
​HOW TO APPLY
Applicants for the scholarship must submit the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship application, by March 1, online at  instructions below), with all required supporting documentation, which includes:
A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed by March 1 each year;
If a son or daughter of a veteran, a birth certificate showing the names of both parents;
If a spouse of a veteran, a marriage certificate;
Documentation of Chapter 33/Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Documentation of military orders:
United States Armed Forces - Active Duty: copy of current official military orders: documentation of service in Afghanistan/Iraq
United States Armed Forces - Veteran: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
United States Armed Forces - Reserve Component: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
Maryland National Guard: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
Note: DD214 form must include dates served and where served (Afghanistan/Iraq or contiguous waters or air space).  If information is not on DD214, other official documentation must be provided with dates and places as listed above.
WHEN TO APPLY   
Complete and file the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship application (instructions below), all supplemental documents, and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

18. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
MHEC Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship
Who may apply: Current high school seniors, full-time and part-time, degree-seeking undergraduates and graduate students.
How to apply: NEW AND RENEWAL APPLICANTS TO THE PROGRAM MUST CONTACT THEIR COLLEGE'S FINANCIAL AID OFFICE FOR APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS.
DO NOT SUBMIT ANY APPLICATIONS OR DOCUMENTS TO THE OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
When to apply: By July 15 to your institution
Eligible majors: All majors are eligible.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
You must be a Maryland resident at the time of the application.
You must enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university, as a full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student or attend a private career school. You must be: the son,  daughter, stepchild, or the surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of a member of the United States Armed Forces who died as a result of military service or who suffered a service-connected 100% permanent disability as result of military service; a veteran who suffers a service-connected disability of 25% or greater, as a result of military service, and has exhausted or is no longer eligible for federal veterans’ educational benefits; the son, daughter, stepchild, or surviving spouse of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks who died as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the attack on the Pentagon in Virginia, or the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania; a POW/MIA of the Vietnam Conflict or his/her son, daughter, or stepchild and was a resident of this State at the time the person was declared to be a prisoner of war or missing in action the son, daughter, stepchild, or surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of a state or local public safety employee or volunteer who died in the line of duty or who was 100 percent disabled in the line of duty; or a state or local public safety employee or volunteer who was 100 percent disabled in the line of duty; a veteran, as defined under § 9–901 of the State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, who either suffers a service connected disability of 25% or greater and has exhausted or is no longer eligible for federal veterans’ educational benefits; the son, daughter, stepchild, or surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of a school employee who, as a result of an act of violence either died in the line of duty or sustained an injury in the line of duty that rendered the school employee 100% disabled.
Source:

20. Tuition Assistance (TA) for Active Duty and Reservist
TA policy varies for each branch
of service
Normally just pays tuition, no fees
Capped at specific credit hours and
dollar amount per fiscal year
All Active Duty may use TA if eligible
Currently Reservist TA available for
Army and Air Force
TA request and approval is responsibility of the student

21. Professional Judgements (PJ’s) for Veterans
Many Veterans are eligible for a PJ since they must use their “Prior-Prior Year” tax return info on a FAFSA.

22. Questions?
Thank You for assisting our Veteran and military students as they pursue their higher education!!