ISAC

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ISACs Military Programsand Other Student
Veteran Topics

• February 2011
• Illinois Student Assistance Commission

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Federal News
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U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

• Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP)
• The deadline to apply for RSLSP has been extended
  to March 4, 2011
• For more information http//www.defense.gov/stopl
  oss
• Eligible service members must apply online via
  their specific services Web site
• Those who do not have Internet access can print,
  complete and sign Department of Defense Form
  2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

• Recently suspended some colleges and universities
  from being eligible to receive GI Bill and other
  education benefits after discovering questionable
  recruiting practices
• Conducting interviews with student veterans who
  have received education benefits and asking
  questions about student experiences with
  recruitment practices
• Voice of the Veteran customer satisfaction
  surveys are being conducted for all VA benefit
  programs
• See U.S. Senator Dick Durbins Web site for more
  info
• www.durbin.senate.gov/showRelease.cfm?releaseId33
  1152

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Yellow Ribbon for 2011

• VA will start accepting Yellow Ribbon Program
  Agreements for the 2011 - 12 academic year on
  February 23, 2011.
• The agreement and detailed instructions will be
  available at www.va.gov
• www.gibill.va.gov/school-certifying-officials/yell
  ow-ribbon-agreement/
• The program enrollment season will last until May
  23, 2011

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Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rates for 2010

• New BAH rates go into effect each Jan. 1
• For 2010, VAs processing system wasnt able to
  start phasing in new rates until September 1
• For veterans whose rate increased from 2009, the
  VA sent a one-time payment for the additional
  amount they were owed
• The payment covered any increase due during the
  period Jan. 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010 and was
  direct-deposited into their accounts in early
  Sept.

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BAH Rates for 2011

• DoD adjusted most housing rates for 2011
• If a veterans housing rate went up, he/she will
  see the increase in the February payment
• Payments will update to the 2011 rates
  automatically
• If a veterans housing rate decreased, he/she
  will continue to receive the higher 2010 rate
  unless he/she changes schools or has more than a
  6-month break in school attendance

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance
  Improvements Act of 2010
• Signed into law on January 4, 2011
• Streamlines and enhances the program
• Gradual implementation

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective August 1, 2009, but not payable until
  October 1, 2011
• Expands the Post-9/11 GI Bill to include Active
  Service performed by National Guard members under
  title 32 U.S.C. for the purpose of organizing,
  administering, recruiting, instructing, or
  training the National Guard or under section
  502(f) for the purpose of responding to a
  national emergency

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective March 5, 2011
• Limits active duty members to the net cost for
  tuition and fees prorated based on the
  eligibility tiers (40-100) previously
  established for Veterans
• Same limitations apply to transferee spouses of
  active duty service members

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective August 1, 2011
• For Veterans and their transferees - simplifies
  the tuition and fee rates for those attending a
  public school and creates a national maximum for
  those enrolled in a private or foreign school
• Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees
• Private and foreign school costs are capped at
  17,500 annually
• The Yellow Ribbon Program still exists for
  out-of-state fees and costs above the cap

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective August 1, 2011
• For Active Duty Members and their transferees -
  creates a national rate for those active duty
  members enrolled in a private or foreign school
  pursuing a degree
• Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees
• Private and foreign school costs are capped at
  17,500 annually

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective August 1, 2011
• Allows VA to pay MGIB (Chapter 30) and MGIB-SR
  (Chapter 1606) kickers, or college fund
  payments, on a monthly basis instead of a lump
  sum at the beginning of the term
• Prorates housing allowance by the students rate
  of pursuit (rounded to the nearest tenth)
• A student training at a rate of pursuit of 75
  would receive 80 of the BAH rate

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective August 1, 2011
• Break or interval pay is no longer payable under
  any VA education benefit program unless under an
  Executive Order of the President or due to an
  emergency, such as a natural disaster or strike
• This means that when the semester ends (e.g.
  December 15th), the housing allowance is paid for
  the first 15 days of December only and begins
  again when the next semester begins (e.g. January
  10th) and is paid for the remaining days of
  January.
• Students using other VA education programs are
  included in this change. Monthly benefits will be
  pro-rated in the same manner.
• Entitlement that previously would have been used
  for break pay will be available for use during a
  future enrollment.

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective August 1, 2011
• Allows reimbursement for more than one license
  or certification test (previously only one test
  was allowed).
• However, entitlement is now charged
• Allows reimbursement of fees paid to take
  national exams used for admission to an
  institution of higher learning (e.g., SAT, ACT,
  GMAT, LSAT)

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective August 1, 2011
• Allows those who are eligible for both Vocational
  Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31)
  benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
  benefits to choose the Post-9/11 GI Bills
  monthly housing allowance instead of the chapter
  31 subsistence allowance.
• NOAA and PHS personnel are now eligible to
  transfer their entitlement to eligible dependents

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective October 1, 2011
• Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for
• Non-college degree (NCD) programs  Pays actual
  net cost for in-State tuition and fees at public
  NCD institutions.  At private and foreign
  institutions, pays the actual net costs for
  in-state tuition and fees or 17,500, whichever
  is less.  Also pays up to 83 per month for books
  and supplies.
• On-the-job and apprenticeship training  Pays a
  monthly benefit amount prorated based on time in
  program and up to 83 per month for books and
  supplies.

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective October 1, 2011
• Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for
• Flight programs Per academic year, pays the
  actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees
  assessed by the school or 10,000, whichever is
  less. 
• Correspondence training  Per academic year, pays
  the actual net costs for in-state tuition and
  fees assessed by the school or 8,500, whichever
  is less.

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Effective October 1, 2011
• Housing allowance is payable to students (other
  than those on active duty) enrolled solely in
  distance learning.  The housing allowance payable
  is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5
  with dependents.
• The full-time rate for an individual eligible at
  the 100 eligibility tier would be 673.50 for
  2011.
• Allows students on active duty to receive a books
  and supplies stipend.

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Changes of particular interest to schools
• Reporting fees paid to schools increases from 7
  to 12 and 11 to 15 per student per year
• Requires that reporting fees only be used for the
  purpose of certification
• Standard college degree programs offered at
  accredited public and private-not-for-profit
  schools are deemed already approved for VA
  Education Benefits

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Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes

• Changes of particular interest to schools
• Non-college degree programs, on-the-job training,
  and flight training programs are now covered
  (effective October 1, 2011)
• Allows the VA to use State Approving Agencies
  (SAAs) for compliance and oversight duties
• Allows VA to disapprove courses

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www.gibill.va.gov/
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State NewsISACs Military Programs
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Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA)

• Veterans Cash
• Illinois Lottery's first ticket where 100 of
  proceeds support Illinois Veterans
• Ticket name is Stars and Stripes
• Proceeds are deposited into an account to fund
  research and additional veteran services
• Organizations that provide support and assistance
  to Illinois veterans can apply for a Veterans
  Cash grant

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IDVA

• Illinois Warrior Assistance Program
• Provides free and confidential assistance for
  returning Illinois Veterans
• Helps service members and their families deal
  with the challenges they may be facing as they
  transition back to their daily lives
• Confidential phone line 866-554-4927
• www.illinoiswarrior.com/

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Other Illinois Programs for Student Veterans

• MIA/POW Scholarship Program
• Eligible dependents are entitled to full payment
  of tuition and certain fees to any state
  supported Illinois institution of higher learning
  for four years
• Children of Veterans Scholarship
• Each Illinois county can annually award one
  honorary scholarship at the University of
  Illinois for the benefit of children of veterans
  of WWI, WWII, Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict

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Illinois Troops to Teachers

• Helps eligible veterans with at least 6 years of
  honorable service transition to K-12 public
  school teaching
• Two basic types of assistance
• Referral/advisement assistance
• Financial assistance
• Individuals receiving financial assistance must
  agree to teach in a high-needs district or school
  for three years.
• www.iltroops.org

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iltroops.org
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IDVA

• Illinois Advisory on Military Education (ACME)
• Purpose
• to promote, support, and deliver meaningful
  education
• to provide a forum for the discussion of current
  issues and planning for future programming
• Next meeting in June
• Contact Joan Ryan at IDVA for more info

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ISACs Military Programs

• Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program
• Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program

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IVG and ING

• Entitlement programs
• Awarded to all eligible applicants regardless of
  funding level
• Specified by Illinois statute
• Chapter 110, Higher Education Student Assistance
  Act
• Assistance to be granted as long as federal
  government provides educational benefits to
  veterans
• Available at all four-year public universities
  and public community colleges

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IVG and ING

• Students receive 120 units of eligibility
• Equivalent to four academic years of full-time
  enrollment
• Units are based on the enrolled hours for a term

of Hours Semester School Quarter School
12 or more 12 units 8 units
9 11.99 9 units 6 units
6 8.99 6 units 4 units
3 5.99 3 units 2 units
0 2.99 1 unit 1 unit
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IVG Eligibility Requirements

• Served at least one year federal active duty in
  the Armed Forces of the United States
• Includes the Illinois National Guard and Reserve
  component of the Armed Forces
• If less than one year, veteran may qualify if
• Service was in a foreign country in a time of
  hostilities in that country
• Separation was for medical reasons directly
  connected to such service
• Service was prior to August 11, 1967
• Separation characterized as honorable
• If still in the Armed Forces, veteran must verify
  continued eligibility upon discharge

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IVG Eligibility Requirements

• Student must meet one of these
• was a resident of Illinois at the time of
  entering federal active duty or within six months
  prior
• was a student at an Illinois public university or
  community college at the time of entering federal
  active duty service
• AND one of these
• established or plans to establish Illinois
  residency within six months after separation from
  the Armed Forces
• established Illinois residency within six months
  after spouse was separated from military service

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Applying for IVG

• ISAC application available on collegezone.com and
  collegeillinois.org to download/print
• Can be submitted anytime during academic year
• Only need to submit one time
• Applicants must also submit a copy of their
  Department of Defense Certificate of Release or
  Discharge from Active Duty (DD214 Member 4 copy)
  or its equivalent for all periods of active
  service

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Applying for IVG

• An applicant who is a member of the Armed Forces
  at the time of application must submit a letter
  from the commanding officer indicating
• that the applicant is a member of the Armed
  Forces
• character of service
• applicants home of record at the time of
  enlistment
• length of time in each period of federal active
  duty
• expiration date of current enlistment
• The student will be subject to verification of
  continued eligibility after each period of
  federal active duty service.

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IVG Notification

• Student receives Notice of Eligibility from ISAC
• Applicant must notify school of his/her
  eligibility no later than the last day of classes
  for the term for which the grant is requested
• Schools can access eligibility data and IVG
  benefit history in My Zone at collegezone.com
• Eligibility information is refreshed every night
• Can view eligibility status, number of units
  available and payment history for each eligible
  applicant

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IVG Benefits

• Pays tuition and mandatory fees
• Grandfather clause for tuition and certain
  allowable fees for students continuously enrolled
  since Spring 2005
• Students attending out-of-district community
  colleges receive in-district rates and are not
  responsible for the difference
• No minimum enrollment requirement
• Available to undergraduate and graduate students
• Academic year begins with summer term

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IVG and Other Programs

• Students eligible for IVG may also use the
  Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bills during the same
  academic year for eligible educational expenses.
• Federal VA benefits are always considered first
  payer
• Students eligible for MAP and IVG must use IVG
  benefits instead of MAP
• Students eligible for IVG and ING Grant can
  choose which program theyd like to use.

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IVG Payment Process

• Schools initiate the payment claim process online
  via My Zone
• Available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Deadline dates for submission of claims are
• September 15 summer term
• January 15 first term
• May 25 second semester/second and third quarter
• July 31 all claims, including supplemental
  claims

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IVG Payment Process

• Submit payment claims, correct payment claims,
  and submit replacement claims/adjustments in My
  Zone
• Edit/update capability restricted to the school
  originating the request
• Offset process similar to MAP process

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Claim HistoryView

• Access by clicking on history icon on
  Payment List or School Claim List

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Claim History View

• List is organized by school code on claim
• Same information is available through details
  link on IVG Eligibility View screen

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FTP (Batch) Processing

• Payment requests can also be submitted using the
  File Transfer Protocol (FTP) process
• ISAC creates a directory for schools to submit
  requests through FTP server
• Schools must password-encrypt the file with
  WinZip before sending to ISAC
• File specifications are on College Zone
• Contact School Services to set your school up for
  FTP processing and obtain an ID and password

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ING Grant Eligibility

• Must have served at least one year with the
  Illinois National Guard
• Must be in active status
• Available to any enlisted member or officer
• Must maintain an acceptable grade point average
• As determined by the institution

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Applying for ING Grant

• Interactive online application is accessible at
  collegeillinois.org
• Students must reapply each year
• Deadlines dates
• October 1 full year consideration
• March 1 only second semester, second and/or
  third quarter consideration
• June 15 only summer term consideration
• Students will receive a confirmation page upon
  completing the application

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Applying for ING Grant

• Involves certification from the Illinois
  Department of Military Affairs, which verifies
  whether or not each applicant
• Is enlisted in the Illinois National Guard
• Is on active duty status in the Illinois Army or
  Air National Guard
• Has served for at least one year
• Date on which service or eligibility will end is
  also provided

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ING Grant Award Notification

• Qualified student applicants receive a Notice of
  Eligibility from ISAC
• Ineligible applicants also receive written
  notification
• Schools receive eligibility information via My
  Zone in College Zone
• Announcement rosters include eligibility dates,
  number of units used, restrictions, etc.
• Only the school listed on the student application
  receives the information
• Can be used to verify eligibility rather than
  requiring the students Notice of Eligibility

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Denotes the last date that the applicant is
qualified to be paid.
Denotes the date from which payment can start.
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ING Grant Benefits

• No minimum enrollment requirement
• Academic year begins with fall term
• Pays tuition and certain fees
• Fees specifically included in statute
• Registration
• Graduation
• General Activity
• Matriculation
• Typically charged only to new students when they
  have been both admitted and enrolled
• Term
• Students are not responsible for out-of-district
  or out-of-state tuition charges

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ING Grant Benefits

• Cannot be used for sectarian or denominational
  instruction
• Fees specifically not covered
• Book rental
• Laboratory and supply
• Air flight
• Hospital and health insurance
• Room and board
• Parking
• Student union
• Athletic
• Proficiency or placement exam
• Service

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ING Grant Benefits

• A student who withdraws after a schools refund
  date can receive the grant for costs incurred up
  to the term award.
• Eligibility units will be assessed in proportion
  to the total dollars that are paid.
• If any portion of tuition and fees were paid, at
  least one eligibility unit will be charged to the
  recipient.

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ING Grant Benefits

• If a recipient ceases to be an active member of
  the Guard during a term, benefits cease and the
  student is responsible for costs attributed to
  the remainder of the term.
• If a recipient becomes eligible during a term,
  benefits will be prorated for the remainder of
  the term
• Proration calculation
• Total tuition cost divided by total instructional
  days cost per day x days of eligibility total
  proration

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ING Grant Benefits

• A student must repay any ING benefits received if
  he/she does not fulfill his/her National Guard
  enlistment
• Benefits are repaid to the Illinois Department of
  Military Affairs

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ING Grant Other Programs

• Illinois National Guard members who have been
  called to federal active duty may also qualify
  for the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG)
• ING and IVG may be used at the same time
• Keep in mind that eligibility units will be
  charged to both programs regardless of the dollar
  amount of benefits paid
• ING or IVG must always be used before MAP

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ING Grant Payment Process

• Payment process is completed online via My Zone.
• Available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mon. Sat.
• Two profiles for school users
• View Only
• View and Update

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Payment Roster

• Prepopulated Fields
• School name and code
• Student name
• SSN
• Restrictions
• Due date -- will be 30 calendar days following
  the generation date of the roster by ISAC
• Information will be grouped by term and academic
  year
• Student information will be displayed in
  ascending SSN order

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Payment Roster

• Mandatory Fields
• In-district tuition
• Total hours
• Optional/Non-Mandatory Fields
• Out-of-district tuition
• Activity fee
• Eligible fees
• Comments
• System will calculate value for Total Dollars
  Field

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Sample Screen
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Payment Roster

• Functional Buttons
• Reset restores any changes made on the screen
  to original state as when first displayed
• Save saves information entered in any of the
  updateable fields
• Submit when clicked, signifies that the
  information on the roster has been reviewed and
  certified. Sends the payment request to ISAC and
  locks out the information on the roster from any
  subsequent changes by the school.
• Print

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Supplemental Rosters

• Used to submit payment for eligible students not
  appearing on payment roster.
• Could also be used for expenses not submitted on
  initial payment roster.

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Supplemental Rosters

• Access from the Payment Roster screen

• A new supplemental request may not be created if
  one already exists that has not been submitted.

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Supplemental Rosters

• Once created, the Supplemental roster will be
  date stamped and assigned a sequence number
• The Due Date will be prepopulated, based on the
  date that the payment roster was generated
• 45 days after roster date for Fall and Spring
  term
• 30 days after roster date for Summer term

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Sample Screen
Sample Screen
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FAQs

• Can a student buy back eligibility units?
• Can a student use IVG and ING at the same time?
• If a student is eligible for IVG and ING, which
  program should they use first?
• If a student is eligible to receive MAP, IVG and
  ING, which program should they use first?

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Reminders

• VA should always be considered first payer when a
  student veteran is eligible for both state and
  federal veteran benefits
• Schools should report to the VA the amount of
  tuition and fees initially charged the student
  after deducting any amounts paid with federal
  funds, excluding Title IV funds
• Examples of non title IV funds include
• Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
• Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts
  (MyCAA)

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Reminders

• Differing fee definitions
• For Post-9/11 GI Bill, fees are
• charges assessed to all students in the class.
• For MAP IVG, mandatory fees are
• charges assessed to each and every full-time
  student for each term. (Application, graduation,
  laboratory, breakage, add/drop fees, and program
  administrative fees for out-of-state or foreign
  study are specifically excluded.)

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ILASFAA Annual Conference

• March 30 April 1, 2011 in East Peoria, IL
• Registration is now open
• Veteran-related sessions
• In Support of Student Veterans
• Veteran Programs and Benefits
• Processing Federal Veteran Benefits
• Psychological Impact of Current Conflicts
• Screening and Indentifying Post-Traumatic Stress
  and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders
• If there are specific questions or issues youd
  like addressed at one of the conference sessions,
  email them to keck_at_isac.org by March 25

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www.ilasfaa.org
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Questions/Comments?

• Thank you for
• participating today!