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School Certifying Official Workshop State Approving Agency (SAA)

School Certifying Official Workshop State Approving Agency (SAA). Best Practices. Mitigating Circumstances.

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School Certifying Official Workshop State Approving Agency (SAA)

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  1. School Certifying Official Workshop State Approving Agency (SAA) Best Practices

  2. Mitigating Circumstances VA automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 credits the first time a student reduces or terminates and mitigating circumstances must be considered. This automatic grant is called the 6-Credit Hour Exclusion. The exclusion is a one-time grant made the first time mitigating circumstances must be considered for the student. Up to 6 credits can be excluded if the student has been awarded benefits for the credit. The 6-Credit Hour Exclusion cannot be granted if the student completes the term and receives non-punitive grades. If the student withdraws from 3 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 3 credits and the student’s one time exclusion is used. If the student withdraws from 12 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 6 credits, the student’s one time exclusion is used, and the student must provide mitigating circumstances for the other 6 credits.

  3. Resource Submit a question-Ask a Question (Right Now Web (RNW) NAVPA- http://www.navpa.org/ Join the list serve. An email chain with SCOs from all over country. Post information/ask questions Conduct yearly conferences- October 2019, Oklahoma AVECO- Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials $50 Registration fee, ST. Louis, Missouri July 15 - 18, 2019 SCO Hotline 1-855-225-1159 eBenefits- Everyone using benefits should have a premium account. See payment history, how much entitlement veterans have remaining, search for jobs, and delimitating dates. Partner with a similar school- NCD, IHL, See how they handle issues. You’re not the only one who has had an issue

  4. Resources – Cont’d Submit a question-Ask a Question (Right Now Web (RNW) VA Has reformatted this area. When you sign up it will ask you for your SSN. Just put in your facility code plus 0. No letters, must use all numbers SSN is required for students to submit a questions

  5. Zip Codes Start collecting locations where your students are taking classes Even though the requirement to report zip codes is pushed to Spring 2020, start collecting data Have school support this. SCO should not be collecting all this information by yourself

  6. Work Study Program Expansion Work Study Program- Paid by VA, not the school. Paid minimum wage, tax free. Work in office doing only VA/Certification support Great part time job for veterans/dependents Must be receiving a chapter benefit at 75% or 3/4 –time or greater Works 30 days prior to start date and up to last day of certification Signs a contract with VA. Work study manager sends them. SCO sets time schedule, signs time sheet.

  7. Dual Certification Dual Certification- Report just credits/clock hours and $0 for tuition and fees until after add/drop is over. Benefits- Student gets book stipend and housing Debt is less likely to occur School delayed in payment for tuition & fees

  8. Processes Develop system to let SCO know if student receives Scholarship that has to be subtracted from amount certified to obtain actual net cost or credits reduced/added/change program Same for adding/dropping credits (Most common error on CS) Use SCO Hotline to ensure your doing things right 1-855-225-1159

  9. Take Credit For Your Work Take credit for your students- Track how much $$ you certify, how much TA, EAP, -Show why your office needs to continue to be supported by school. Conduct a new Veteran/Dependent workshop Mentors Last term one day remaining, 48 month rule Does not apply to dependents. Day they run out, that is all they will be paid for

  10. Tutorial Assistance Encourage students to use the tutorial assistance they are entitled too Chapter 33 - 12 Months, $100 per month There is no entitlement charge for the first $600 under Chapter 30 and 1606. There is no entitlement charge under Chapter 33 or 35 CH 1607- Not eligible

  11. Chap 35 Educational Gratuity Joan Hess Veterans Service Specialist PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Office for Veterans Affairs Bldg. S-O-47 Fort Indiantown Gap Annville, PA   17003-5002 Phone: 1.800.547.2838 or 717.861.9410 Fax:717.861.8589 www.dmva.state.pa.us $500 Each Term for 8 Terms

  12. CH 35 Educational Gratuity – Cont’d Must be age 24 or less at time of application PA Resident Using Chapter 35 Benefits Submit copy of PA Drivers License Submit Birth Certificate Complete Application

  13. Rounding Out A VA student can round out a schedule with non-required courses to bring his/her course load up to a full-time schedule in his/her last term only. This allows students to continue to receive benefits at the full-time rate in their last term of enrollment, even though fewer credits are required to complete the program This procedure can be done only once per program In rounding out a full-time schedule, VA students may use any credit hour unit subject, including a subject that has previously been successfully completed (received a passing grade) EXAMPLE: A claimant needs to complete 60 credit hours to obtain a B. A. degree. After passing 57 credit hours, the claimant enrolls in four 3-credit-hour courses. VA may pay the Veteran educational assistance for full-time training during this last term.

  14. Study Abroad Under Chapter 33, VA will pay: Home school’s tuition and fees Books and supplies Monthly housing allowance based on the home school’s address (CHANGE- Student now receives the Foreign school pay of $1,681.00, Colmery Act) In order for VA to pay any additional fees specific to the Study Abroad program, the Study Abroad option must be required for graduation VA will not pay: Costs related to travel (airfare, lodging and meals) Third party charges Schools that charge a flat rate for all charges must be able to break down the amounts charged for tuition, lodging, meals, etc., so that the correct amount can be reported to VA. If the school is unable to provide a breakdown of the charges, no amount should be reported to VA.

  15. Contact Information Randy McKinney 717-787-2414 ramckinney@pa.gov Harrisburg office Luke Suereth 717-787-2414 lsuereth@pa.gov Harrisburg office John Ayres- 412-565-5364 johnayres@pa.gov Pittsburgh office Dennis Renner 412-565-5364 drenner@pa.gov Pittsburgh office Emily Butler 412-565-5364 embutler@pa.gov Pittsburgh office

  16. Questions

  17. Contact/Mission For more information please visit PDE’s website at www.education.pa.gov The mission of the Department of Education is to ensure that every learner has access to a world-class education system that academically prepares children and adults to succeed as productive citizens. Further, the Department seeks to establish a culture that is committed to improving opportunities throughout the commonwealth by ensuring that technical support, resources, and optimal learning environments are available for all students, whether children or adults.

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