1. Navy Counselors Association 2010 Symposium June 28 2010 Ann
Hunter Navy Voluntary Education Service Chief
2. Outline
Legalman Education Program
Current and upcoming changes to Voluntary Education
Programs
Academic Skills
DANTES
TA and NCPACE
Post 9/11 GI Bill
3. Legalman Education Program
Legal community has established a requirement that all Legalman
(LNs) earn a Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies as part of
their rating requirement
The courses needed to complete the degree will be taken during
the normal working day and are funded outside the TA program
Courses will be both resident at Newport and DL
The first classes convene 1 September
The LNs are a conversion rating and as Career Counselors, you
need to be aware of these new requirements.
Point of contact is LNC(SW/AW) Jacquelyn A. Woodall, Naval
Justice School, 401-841-3800, ext 124, [email_address]
4. Academic Skills
Transition from current Academic Skills contract to Online
Academic Skills Course (OASC)
This will result in the closure of all Navy College Learning
Centers around the world on or before 30 Sept
OASC is a self-paced, customized learning program that
evaluates individual reading level, vocabulary and math ability
based upon pre-test. Remediation is designed for the individual
needs
OASC is available today on NKO, via the NKO Learning Tab and on
the Navy College website link under academic skills
Sailors can access the course 24/7 from any internet-connected
computer
OASC is also available for free to military family members, DoD
civilians and their family members
NAVADMIN pending release
5. DANTES
DANTES will continue to fund initial CLEP, DSST and Excelsior
(EXE) exams, however Service members will be responsible for
funding any retests
For the interim, retests will continue to be funded for members
who took a test prior to 20 May 2010 and who retest before 11
December 2010
After 20 May 2010, Sailors who do not receive a passing score,
are no longer able to retest on a no cost basis
All members shall wait at least 180 calendar days between test
dates
Retests can be taken at National Testing Centers or at some
Navy College Offices
Policy will save costs, but will also encourage Sailors to
better prepare for the tests
Navy has ~45% pass rate on these exams and with some prep, we
can do better
NAVADMIN pending release
6. Changes to TA/NCPACE
Navy announced new policy on 23 March 2010
Purpose of the new policy
Communicate a variety of ways Sailors may earn credit for
college
Encourage Sailors to apply for scholarships and grants
Improve a Sailors planning process
Ensure every TA dollar counts toward degree completion
Maximize transferability credit
Improve course completion rate
7. Navy PolicyEducation Plans
Policy requires an education plan for Sailors to use TA or
NCPACE
Five courses without an education plan no longer allowed
The education plan must include
Credits for training
Transferred credits
CLEP and DANTES credits or potential credits
Remaining degree requirements
Navy will only fund those courses that are listed on the
education plan
8. Navy PolicyCertificates, Clock Hours and Drops
Certificates will no longer be funded unless the courses
satisfy degree requirements
Navy no longer funds courses expressed as clock hours through
TA or NCPACE
Sailors already enrolled in clock hour programs when the policy
was announced, may continue
There will be no new starts
Sailors must work with the Navy College Counselors and the
Chain of Command before dropping a course
9. Navy Policy-1 st Permanent Duty Station
Sailors must serve at least one year onboard their first
permanent duty station before TA funds or NCPACE courses will be
authorized
During the first year Sailors will be encouraged to:
Take the Online Academic Skills course (OASC)
Study for CLEP and DANTES exams and take those that apply to
their degree requirements
Research potential degree programs and colleges and develop an
education plan
Sailors who are in the 1 st year of the first permanent duty
assignment and are already taking TA and NCPACE courses, may
continue, as long as they are otherwise qualified for TA or
NCPACE
There will be no new starts
10. Navy Policy-Processing
Web TA is now required for Sailors to request TA
Sailors with access to a computer must complete the form on
line
Some commands have not yet developed the internal processes to
approve TA on line
Education Plans should be automated early next FY
11. Challenges
Funding
Navy TA funding for FY11 has been reduced approximately 20%
over the plan
Navy will continue to look at ways to stay within the
budget
Some measures may be temporary while others will be more
permanent
Our counselors will be encouraging Sailors to take courses from
institutions that give us the biggest bang for the buck
Course Completions
Withdrawals and failures represent lost opportunities
$4M in FY09
We will focus on preparing the Sailor to take on the additional
responsibility of college
Right Sailor in the right course at the right time = success
12. Overview of Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
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 veterans 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
Academy / NROTC graduate qualifying 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
13. Overview of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Tuition and fees paid to institution not to exceed cost of
highest priced public undergraduate in-state tuition in the state
individual has chosen to study
Yellow Ribbon program could be used to off set costs
Monthly stipend paid to the individual based on BAH for E5
w/dependents if; more than half-time , in a classroom setting
Up to $1,000 annually for books and supplies
May be reimbursed for one licensing or certification test not
to exceed $2,000
May receive funding for tutoring up to $100/month, maximum 12
months
Up to 36 months of benefits , payable up to 15 years from last
release date of 90 or more days with Honorable Discharge
SELRES benefits for qualified Service members includes both the
monthly and book stipend
Monthly and book stipend are not authorized while member is on
active duty
Tuition and fees are the actual education institution
established charges or amount not covered by military tuition
assistance for active duty
14. MGIB
Post 9/11 is a separate program and eligibility is NOT based on
previous enrollment in MGIB or VEAP
Converting from MGIB to Post 9/11
Members interested in transferability should convert to Post
9/11
Members who are interested in vocational schools or have free
or reduced tuition may receive more benefits from MGIB
Post 9/11 benefits are based on unused portion of MGIB
benefits, OR if 100% of MGIB is exhausted, member has 12 months
under Post 9/11
Unused portion of $1200 contribution will be refunded AFTER all
benefits under Post 9/11 are exhausted
$600 contribution is not refundable
Kickers guaranteed through MGIB are converted to Post 9/11
Conversion from MGIB to Post 9/11 is irrevocable
15. MGIB Disenrollment
By law, Recruits are automatically enrolled in MGIB, unless
they decline participation
Recruits must make a decision by day 11 of RTC
Many Recruits are not completing the proper paperwork,
resulting in $100 deduction from their pay
Sailors who have been automatically enrolled and wish to stop
payment into MGIB
Must first convert to Post 9/11 by completing VA Form
22-1990
Receive a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) from the VA
Send copy of the CoE to PERS-314
PERS-314 will authorize DFAS to stop pay deductions
Deductions will cease the month following the Sailors
submission of VA Form 22-1990
CoE can be emailed to [email_address] or faxed to
901-874-2025/DSN 882
16. Transferability and the Law
Transferability is a retention tool, not a benefit and is based
on 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 AC or RC
17. Transferability Policy
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
Interim provisions for retirement eligible Service members
Eligible for retirement (20 years or more) on or before August
1, 2009, no additional service required
Approved retirement dates on or before July 1, 2010, no
additional service required
Eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2009, and before
1 August 2010, one year service required
Eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2010, and before
1 August 2011, two years service required
Eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2011, and before
1 August 2012, three years service required
Service obligation begins when member elects
transferability
18. Criteria For Transferability to Family Members
To be eligible, family member must be enrolled in DEERS at the
time of transfer but does not have to be in DEERS when used
May transfer all or a portion of the benefits to spouse, one or
more dependent children or a combination up to 36 months of unused
benefits
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
Spouse of Active Duty Member
May use once the sponsor has achieved 6 years of service and
agrees to 4 additional years
Is not authorized the monthly or books/supplies stipends as
long as sponsor is on active duty
Has a 15-year limitation on benefit use from sponsors last
Honorable Discharge
19. 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
Not subject to time limitation but may not use after reaching
the age of 26
Funds are not taxable and are 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 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
20. EAOS sufficient - or - Retirement eligible DMDC Web Portal
Servicemember apply for transferability
Servicemember
EOS / EAOS insufficient to effect obligation
Transferability Process Map EAOS insufficient
BUPERS-26/COMNAVRESFOR
Service Representatives
Verify:
Six years service complete
EOS/EAOS documented to
support required service obligation
Servicemember required to reapply for transferability (establish
new obligation start date) and ensure EOS / EAOS sufficient for new
obligation start date Approved SM completes VA Form 22-1990E and
forwards to VA with screen shot of approved TEB application SM
directed to receive counseling and execute required obligation
Disapproved
Servicemember
Retirement eligible
EAOS sufficient to meet obligation
SM ensure EOS / EAOS updated in EDVR / LOPG prior to proceeding to
DMDC Transferability Web Portal Servicemembers who bypass retention
and/or EOS / EAOS verification risk having application disapproved
VA forwards certificate of eligibility to dependent Dependent takes
certificate of eligibility to academic instituion for processing
Academic institution processes for payment through the VA
21. Frequently Asked Questions
I was given the Navy College Fund when I enlisted. Do I still
get that if I convert to Post 9/11?
You should be completely vested in MGIB (pay your $1200) before
converting. If completely vested, you will receive a lump sum
payment at the beginning of each semester. If not completely
vested, you will receive a reduced amount.
Are there any exceptions to the reenlistment policy for
transferability?
No, enlisted members must wait until they are reenlistment
eligible
If there are other approved methods for short term extensions
that will satisfy the service obligation, the Command can
execute.
I cannot obligate due to HYT, can I still transfer my
benefit?
Yes. The member must obligate to the HYT date before the
application will be approved.
What if I am released due to a Career Board prior to completing
my service obligation?
You do not lose transferability as long as the Navy releases
you and you do not volunteer for separation or retirement before
you have completed the service obligation
22. Frequently Asked Questions
I never had the MGIB, am I eligible for Post 9/11?
Enrollment in MGIB is not a requirement for eligibility. If you
have met the active duty TIS requirement, then yes, you are
eligible.
I applied for transferability and no one has contacted me on
the status. What should I do?
Go back to https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB and check the
status--upper left hand corner under your name. It takes about one
day to process your application
I applied months ago, my dependent is in school but we have not
received any money from the VA. What should I do?
First verify that the college has certified enrollment. The VA
will not process payments without this information.
If they have and it has been over 90 days, contact the Navy POC
for assistance
Am I eligible for the benefit myself?
Yes, provided you have at least 90 days of qualifying active
duty time
23. Frequently Asked Questions
What if I decide to leave the Service before my service
obligation is complete?
If a member voluntarily elects to leave, then the member will
lose transferability.
If the member is asked to leave before the service obligation
is complete, as in reduction in force, they member will not lose
transferability
The VA denied my eligibility or determined eligibility to be
less than I thought. What should I do?
Verify documentation on qualifying AD time
Contact Service representative to ensure all AD orders are on
file
Provide this information to the VA
If the school enrolls me without the CoE and the VA later
denies me full benefits, am I liable for the tuition?
Yes, if the college defers payment and later the VA does not
honor all your claim, you must pay the institution all expenses
owed
24. Frequently Asked Questions
My husband and I are dual military. Can we both transfer
benefits?
Yes, but all family members must be listed in DEERS under both
parents but only as a dependent under one parent
How do I qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program?
You must be 100% qualification rate.
How do scholarships work with Post 9/11?
Varies with type of scholarship but typically, Post 9/11 pays
first
All my dependents are not showing up on TEB.
If is child is 23 or older, you will not be able to transfer
benefits.
If a child is over 19 and in college, make sure you have their
enrollment verified by the college and have them reenter into
DEERS.
I am retired and cannot access TEB anymore.
TEB is for active duty only. Veterans will have to contact the
VA to makes changes to transfer allocations.
25. Frequently Asked Questions
I am a member of the VTU, am I eligible for
transferability?
You must apply for transferability while in the Armed Forces.
Members in the VTU/IRR or not considered to be in the Armed
Forces
If I die while in the Armed Forces, will my dependents be
eligible for Post 9/11?
If you are on active duty at the time of death, and the death
was not due to neglect, suicide or illegal activity, then each
dependent child may received 36 months of benefit under Post 9/11.
This is referred to at the GYSGT Fry Scholarship.
My certificate of eligibility does not grant me 100% but my
records clearly indicate I am qualified for 100%? What steps should
I take?
Navy records for Reservists leaves a lot to be desired. In
order to make sure the VA gets the correct qualifying active duty
time, you should check you records first. VA will see you
mobilization but not your ADSW or ADT. If you are counting on this
to bring your % up, you will need to call 1-800-6221-8853 or email
[email_address] for assistance.