Navy Counselors Association 2010 Symposium

1. Navy Counselors Association 2010 Symposium June 28 2010 Ann Hunter Navy Voluntary Education Service Chief

2. 1 Outline Legalman Education Program Current and upcoming changes to Voluntary Education Programs Academic Skills DANTES TA and NCPACE Post 9/11 GI Bill

3. 2 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, jacquelyn.woodall@navy.mil

4. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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 Sailor�s planning process Ensure every TA dollar counts toward degree completion Maximize transferability credit Improve course completion rate

7. 6 Navy Policy�Education 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. 7 Navy Policy�Certificates, 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. 8 Navy Policy-1st 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 1st 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. 9 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. 10 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

12. 11 Overview of Post-9/11 GI BillEligibility 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 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) Yellow Ribbon program: voluntary agreement between VA and Education Institution to offset costs exceeding benefit Yellow Ribbon program: voluntary agreement between VA and Education Institution to offset costs exceeding benefit

13. 12 Overview of Post-9/11 GI BillBenefits 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 Enlistment, Affiliation, and Retention (min 2 years) Should be based on criticality of the skill and paid in conjunction with monthly stipend Enlistment, Affiliation, and Retention (min 2 years) Should be based on criticality of the skill and paid in conjunction with monthly stipend

14. 13 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 Enlistment, Affiliation, and Retention (min 2 years) Should be based on criticality of the skill and paid in conjunction with monthly stipend Enlistment, Affiliation, and Retention (min 2 years) Should be based on criticality of the skill and paid in conjunction with monthly stipend

15. 14 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 Sailor�s submission of VA Form 22-1990 CoE can be emailed to mill_mgib@navy.mil or faxed to 901-874-2025/DSN 882

16. 15 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 Election to transfer benefits shall be made while member is still in the Armed Forces Eligibility verified by the Services using a DEERS web portal Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at anytime Election to transfer benefits shall be made while member is still in the Armed Forces Eligibility verified by the Services using a DEERS web portal Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at anytime

17. 16 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 Election to transfer benefits shall be made while member is still in the Armed Forces Eligibility verified by the Services using a DEERS web portal Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at anytime Election to transfer benefits shall be made while member is still in the Armed Forces Eligibility verified by the Services using a DEERS web portal Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at anytime

18. 17 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 Election to transfer benefits shall be made while member is still in the Armed Forces Eligibility verified by the Services using a DEERS web portal Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at anytime Election to transfer benefits shall be made while member is still in the Armed Forces Eligibility verified by the Services using a DEERS web portal Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at anytime

19. 18 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 Election to transfer benefits shall be made while member is still in the Armed Forces Eligibility verified by the Services using a DEERS web portal Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at anytime Election to transfer benefits shall be made while member is still in the Armed Forces Eligibility verified by the Services using a DEERS web portal Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at anytime

20. 19 Transferability process flow map was refined to reflect BUPERS-3/BUPERS-26/ADCNP recommendation. - BUPERS-26 process remains AC only. - BUPERS-26 will disapprove the requests if servicemember�s EOS/EAOS does not meet the necessary transferability obligation requirements without verifying if a reenlistment is in process or without notifying servicemember�s chain of command that the documented obligation is not sufficient. Transferability process flow map was refined to reflect BUPERS-3/BUPERS-26/ADCNP recommendation. - BUPERS-26 process remains AC only. - BUPERS-26 will disapprove the requests if servicemember�s EOS/EAOS does not meet the necessary transferability obligation requirements without verifying if a reenlistment is in process or without notifying servicemember�s chain of command that the documented obligation is not sufficient.

21. 20 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. 21 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. 22 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. 23 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. Veteran�s will have to contact the VA to makes changes to transfer allocations.

25. 24 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 cnrfcpost911gibill@navy.mil for assistance.

26. 25 QUESTIONS? www.gibill.va.gov BUPERSNOTE 1780 of 7 Apr 2010 NPC Website NKO Ann Hunter, N15 931-535-3167 or ann.hunter@navy.mil