Benefits 101Benefits 101A Presentation for the A Presentation for the PASFFAPASFFA08 April 201408 April 2014

Don AccamandoDuquesne University School of LeadershipMilitary Program Director412-396-5366accamandod@duq.edu

OverviewOverviewThe Veterans Administration (VA)Benefit typesWho’s on the team?

◦Recommendations from the playersObservations from a distanceQuestions

The VAThe VAContact the VA office near you

◦Haven’t seen them yet? Problems will come.

◦Partner with them for presentations.◦Any forum for veterans on campus is

goodIt is a Bureaucracy!

◦Some vets are leery of the system

The VAThe VAThat being said, they need the

VA◦Must have a Certificate of Eligibility,

“COE”◦Apply online VONAPP◦ http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/

default.asp

Six weeks is the normal line…

Certifying Official tipsCertifying Official tipsA good CO will explain what’s

needed to get started and briefly explain the benefit options

Contact the CO once registered◦Reconnect each semester

Don’t bill until after drop/addWeigh the options

◦May want to use other funding for summer

Contact the COContact the CO

Drop / Add / WithdrawCancellationStop AttendingGraduatingMitigating CircumstancesChange of MajorChange of Benefit

Benefit TypesBenefit Types Ch. 30 (MGIB) Old GI Bill:

◦Enlisted after 07of ’85, pay $1,200 up front◦Monthly Payment approx. $1,600

Ch. 31 Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab)◦Service-connected disability requires rehab ◦Disability of 10% or greater. (hearing loss)◦Covers tuition plus, a monthly COLA :

$585.11

Benefit TypesBenefit TypesChapter 33 (Post 9/11)

◦Active Duty or Reserve Component ◦AD > than 90 days following

9/11/2001 ◦Based on months of service, ◦Entitlement ranges from 40% to

100%◦Tuition and Fees, Book & Supply

Stipend and Housing Allowance, $1,600

Benefit TypesBenefit TypesChapter 33 (Post 9/11) cont.Transfer of Eligibility (ToE)

◦Dependent(s) and/or spouse of AD vets

◦Must transfer while still active!◦Approved through the branch and

DOD.

Benefit TypesBenefit TypesCh. 35 (DEA) Survivors and

Dependents◦As the name implies◦Spouse and/or Children (ages 18-26) ◦100% service connected disability ◦Their death was service connected◦Monthly Stipend: Approximately

$1,000

Time for a breakTime for a breakKeep in mind that Ch. 33 may be

transferred, (ToE)Think about the circumstances of

the Survivor Benefit option.Both cases, may not be talking

with a vet, and think about the circumstances tied to the survivor.

Something to ponder.

Benefit TypesBenefit TypesCh. 1606

◦6-years Reserve Component after July1985 ◦Complete initial training and in good standing ◦Monthly Stipend: $362.00 (Kicker Available)Ch. 1607 Reserve Ed. Assist. Pro. REAP◦Reserve Component > 90 days post 9/11◦Response to a war or national emergency

Monthly Stipend: 2+ years $1,300, 1 year but < 2: $988.80, 90 days <year: $659.20

Benefit TypesBenefit TypesNational Guard EAP

◦6 year enlistment or reenlistment◦Successfully complete Basic Training◦Complete EAP form 1 and PHEAA

Promissory Note◦Fall & Spring Term app deadline June

30th◦Pays 100% Tuition (Does Not Pay

Fees!)

Benefit TypesBenefit TypesFederal Tuition Assistance (FTA)Member of Guard or ReservesMust be in the unit while using FTAMay use with MGIB (TA top-up)Pays 100% Tuition and Fees (cap 250$

per semester hour)$4,500 Fiscal Year MaxApply @ www.GoArmyEd.com

TA tipsTA tipsNavy, USMC, USCG and USAF must

submit TA forms to the and we billAD Army, Army Guard and Reserve

students use the Go Army Ed portal.Navy, USMC, and USCG invoices are

submitted through the WAWF portal Best to wait until after Add/Drop

before invoicing, ensure, proper billing

TA tipsTA tipsUSAF Air Force portal as the

Tuition Assistance forms are received.

Active Army, Army Guard and Reserve students, submitted through Go Army Ed portal quarterly; to ensure payment, we bill late in the quarter.

ObservationsObservationsPlenty of benefitsMost new students are confusedConnect with the VA for helpEnsure your team is informed

QUESTIONS ?QUESTIONS ?