VETERANS
VETERAN BENEFITS
To be eligible for VA education benefits students must complete the CMU Veterans Registration Form financialaid.cmich.edu/forms/vetreg.pdf each semester. Students applying for VA benefits for the first time or transfer students must submit the CMU Certification Guidelines and the 22-1990, 22-1995, 22-5490, or the 22-5495 depending on the chapter of benefits you are eligible to receive.
Veteran students and dependents of veterans may be eligible for one of the following programs. Veteran benefits are included in the student’s financial aid package and may affect the amount of other financial aid the student is eligible to receive. For information regarding veteran educational eligibility, students should contact the Veterans Administration at (888) 442-4551 or on-line at: http://www.gibill.va.gov
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For complete information on VA Benefits and the FAFSA, please
go to:
http://www.finaid.org/military/fafsa.phtml
CHAPTER
Chapter 30: Montgomery G.I. Bill
This is a program of benefits for individuals entering the military service on or after July 1, 1985. Servicepersons contribute $100 from their pay for the first twelve months of service to defray the cost of an education and are eligible for up to 36 months of educational benefits. The Army College Fund may also be available to students that enrolled in this program as a part of their enlistment contract.
Chapter 33: Post 9/11 New GI Bill
This is a program that was created for veterans and service members who served at least 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and dependents of certain service members. This program allows for three separate benefit payments for most students: (1) a tuition and fees payment, which covers a percentage of tuition costs; (2) a monthly housing allowance equal to the Department of Defense (DoD) Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) provided to service members at the E-5 pay grade with dependents within the same zip code as the student's school, and (3) a book and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year. The VA is required to pay tuition and fees directly to the training institution (CMU), while payment for books, supplies, and housing allowance are paid directly to the service person.
Chapter 34: Old G.I. Bill
This program was phased out as of December 31, 1989 but veterans may be eligible to receive benefits after December 31, 1989, under Chapter 30 of Title 38, U.S. Code, also referred to as the Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty Educational Assistance Program. The following is a list of some of the eligibility requirements:
1. You must be eligible for benefits under the Chapter 34 program and must have remaining entitlements as of December 31, 1989.
2. You must have served on active duty continuously from October 19, 1984, until at least June 30, 1988. However, your service may qualify if you were discharged before June 30, 1988, but after June 30, 1985, under such conditions as service-connected disability, hardship or convenience of the government.
3. Your discharge must be “honorable”, if you are not on active duty.
Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation
Veterans who suffered a service-connected disability are entitled to compensation and may be eligible for rehabilitation to overcome the disability for employment as determined by the Veterans Administration. Veterans must be released or discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.
Chapter 32: Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
This program applies to servicepersons who entered the service after December 31, 1976 and voluntarily contributed $25 to $100 per month to the Educational Fund from their military pay. The government matches the contribution at the rate of $2.00 for every $1.00 made by the participant. To access these benefits, the service person must be in the service at least 24 months. Chapter 32 veterans have ten years from date of discharge in which to use their monthly entitlement. As of June 30, 1985, servicepersons are no longer eligible to enroll in this program.
Chapter 35: Dependent Educational Assistance
Children and spouses of veterans may be eligible for educational assistance if the veteran died of a service-connected accident or disability or if the veteran suffered a 100%, service-connected, permanent disability. Eligibility is 45 months of education or training or the equivalent in part-time training and includes graduate level education. Children can attend college from 18 years of age through age 26. Spouses can attend 10 years from when the service person was disabled or died. Remarriage is not a restriction to Chapter 35 benefits.
If you believe you may be eligible to receive additional benefits under Chapter 35 through the State of Michigan, you must contact the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs at (517) 483-5500 or at www.michigan.gov
Chapter 1606: Selective Reserve Education Assistance Program
This program became effective July 1, 1985 to provide educational assistance to members of Units of the Selective Reserves of the Armed Forces. These reserve components include Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corp Reserve, Army National Guard and Coast Guard Reserve. Eligibility for the program is determined by the respective reserve component; the Education Officer from the reservist’s unit must sign form DD 2384. Eligible reservists are entitled to a maximum of 36 months of education; the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) processes payments.
Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
This program is a new benefit providing educational assistance to members of the reserve components – Selected Reserve (Sel Res) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) – who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress. The “reserve components” consist of Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army IRR, Air Force IRR, Navy IRR and Marine Corps IRR. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security. Generally, a member of a reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10, U.S.C., for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation is eligible for REAP.
Chapter 33: The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. For more information see: http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/new-gi-bill-overview or http://gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH33/CH33_Pamphlet.pdf
CMU GUIDLINES & INFORMATION
Enrollment Certification & Guidlines
These guidelines outline the rights and responsibilities of students receiving USDVA educational benefits.
1. Registration for Benefits
All eligible students must register for classes and submit a CMU Veteran’s Registration Form EACH SEMESTER to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA). This should be done as soon as registration is completed for classes each semester. Students should allow the USDVA approximately ten to twelve weeks to process benefits. This time frame will ensure adequate start-up cycles for benefit payments and prevent an interruption of payments for continuing students. VA students enrolled in Off-Campus Programs must register at the Michigan center where the courses will be offered.
2. Withdrawals
Students receiving VA benefits must notify the CMU OSFA when a change is made in their enrollment status.
3. Satisfactory Progress
Once you start receiving benefits, you must maintain satisfactory progress according to published standards established and enforced by the University (see Financial Aid Policy on Satisfactory Progress). Central Michigan University’s Standards of Progress have been approved by the State Approving Agency (SAA) and accepted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA).
Title 38, United States Code, Sections 1674 and 1724 requires that education assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her training objective. Accordingly, the OSFA will discontinue certification of enrollment and will inform the USDVA of a termination of benefits (due to unsatisfactory progress) for undergraduate and graduate students who are placed on financial aid suspension. The OSFA will not certify future enrollment until satisfactory progress has been regained. Students have a right to appeal termination of benefits. The USDVA determines whether or not payments will be terminated and the conditions for reinstatement.
4. Minimum
Certification of eligibility may be denied once the minimum hours required for a degree from CMU have been completed. Exceptions can be made; however, you must contact the CMU OSFA as soon as possible for information about this procedure.
Requirements for bachelor’s degree-124 credits Requirements for master’s degree-36 credits
5. Declaring a Major
On-campus students: Undergraduate students who have earned 56 credit hours must declare a major with Central Michigan University and the USDVA. Students must submit to the CMU OSFA a copy of an unofficial academic audit (completed by Undergraduate Academic Services, Warriner 123) upon declaration of a major and minor and acceptance into a program of study. The OSFA requires an OFFICIAL audit for all students who have earned 86 credit hours or more. Failure to comply with this requirement will prevent certification of eligibility for future semesters. Graduate students must submit an approved program plan to the OSFA at the beginning of their graduate students.
Off-campus program students: Undergraduate students must submit an approved copy of their Undergraduate Program Plan to the CMU OSFA upon completion of 56 credit hours. Graduate students must submit a copy of their Graduate Program Plan to the SOFA at the beginning of their graduate program.
6. Incompletes/Deferred Grades
“I” and “Z” (non-punitive) grades must be converted to a punitive grade within one year of the assigned grade. The VA will be notified of any non-punitive grade and repayment of the course may be required.
7. Failing (E) Grades/No Credit (NC) Grades
The OSFA will contact the instructor of any course in which an “E” or “NC” grade was received. If the instructor can certify that the final exam was taken, no repayment to the VA will be expected. If the final exam was not taken, the VA may require repayment of benefits retroactive to the first day of class.
8. Minimum Hours for VA Benefits
| UNDERGRADUATE - Academic Year | GRADUATE - Academic Year | |||
| Status | Credits | Status | Credits | |
| Full time | 12 | Full time | 9 | |
| 3/4 time | 9-11 | ¾ Time | 7-8 | |
| 1/2 time | 6-8 | ½ Time | 5-6 | |
| **Less than ½ Time | 1-5 | ** Less than ½ Time | 1-4 | |
| Summer Time Training (undergraduate & graduate ) | Six Week Session | |||
| Status | Credits | |||
| Full Time | 4 | |||
| ¾ Time | 3 | |||
| ½ Time | 2 | |||
| **Less than ½ Time | 1 | |||
| **Payment is based on tuition and fees | ||||
| * CEL graduate enrollment status is determined by number of credits per session within a semester. | ||||
9. Internships, Practica, Independent Studies, and Theses
Internships, practica, independent studies and theses that meet USDVA definitions may be certified. All courses listed in the CMU Bulletin(s) as internships, practica, independent studies, field studies, etc., will be considered as independent study for certification purposes. A completed as signed “Instructor’s Letter for Independent Study” (Available in Warriner 202) and a copy of the course syllabus must be submitted with the VA enrollment Certification Card before benefits will be certified.
10. Repeat Courses
A student may be certified once for a repeat course only if the original grade received was not accepted by the university as a passing grade or a better grade is required to earn your degree.
11. Curriculum Requirement
Students receiving VA benefits at CMU must take courses that are in a degree-granting curriculum.
The above guidelines are strictly enforced. Each semester, an audit is conducted by the CMU OSFA to ensure students are following the required guidelines. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the CMU OSFA, Warriner 202.
Q & A Students Recalled to Active Duty
What do I need to do first?
A veteran or reservist who receives orders to report for duty should review the University’s policy (Withdrawal To Enter Military Service) as presented in the CMU Bulletin and contact the Registrar’s Office for a review of the available refund and withdrawal options.
The student should also visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) to complete the documentation required to notify the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If available, a copy of the student’s orders should be provided to the OSFA. (The VA form 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim should be completed by the student to be included with VA form 1999b Notice of Change in Student Status.)
What will happen to my VA education benefits?
VA education benefits are authorized based upon the pursuit of training. If the student’s pursuit of training is interrupted due to Operation Enduring Freedom, benefits will be terminated effective with the last date of attendance. Several methods may be used to determine the last date of attendance:
- the last activity date reflected in the instructor’s record
- the last date papers were submitted
- the last date an examination was completed
- the student’s reasonable statement of last date of attendance
The student will be charged back for any benefits received covering time periods after the last date of attendance.
How will tuition & fees be refunded after withdrawal?
A student who is recalled to military service may be entitled to receive:
a) Credit for the semester
b) Refund of tuition & fees; or
c) Partial credit and partial refund, according to the following conditions:
1. The student who is unable to complete the first half of a session will be entitled to a full refund of tuition and fees.
2. The student who has completed the first half of a session may receive credit or partial credit and a proportional refund of fees.
The student should apply at the Registrar’s Office for confirmation of eligibility to receive credit.
What happens to my remaining entitlement to educational benefits?
Eligibility for VA education benefits will be held in abeyance until the veteran’s return to school. In other words, the remaining months of entitlement will be available to the veteran when he or she re-enrolls as a student.
What can be done about personal loans?
Students recalled to active duty may write a letter to lenders citing the “Soldiers & Sailors Relief Act of 1940” and request that the interest rate on the personal loan be reduced to 6%. A copy of the student’s military orders should be enclosed. (This provision does not apply to Federal Family Education Loan interest rates.)
What can be done about Federal Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans and Federal Perkins Loans?
The U. S. Department of Education has established the following policies for persons affected by military mobilization.
Borrowers whose loans are in an in-school, in-school deferment, or grace period status when ordered to active duty or reassigned for a period of more than 30 days:
- The lender must maintain the loans in the same status during the period of the borrower’s active duty service or reassignment, plus the time necessary for the borrower to resume enrollment in the next regular enrollment period that is reasonably available to the borrower if the borrower wishes to return to school.
- This maintenance of loan status may not exceed a total of three years including the time necessary for the borrower to return to school.
- If the loans were in a grace period status at the time the borrower was ordered to active duty, the period of time during which the borrower was serving on active duty is excluded and the borrower would receive their full grace period (6 months for Federal Direct and FFEL and 9 months for Perkins) in the future.
- The borrower or a family member of the borrower should notify the lender or lenders of the borrower’s call to active duty or reassignment. Lenders will provide any forms that may need to be completed for documentation of borrower’s status.
Borrowers whose Title IV loans are in repayment (other than in an in-school deferment status):
- Lenders must grant forbearance for the expected period of the borrower’s active duty service, beginning on the first day of active duty, not to exceed one year.
- The forbearance must be granted based upon the request of the borrower, the borrower’s family or another reliable source.
- Forbearance beyond the initial period will require supporting documentation and a written agreement with the lender.
Borrowers whose loans are in default status:
FORMS
VA Educational Forms:
- 22-1990 – Application for VA Education Benefits http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/22-1990.pdf
- 22-1995 – Request for Change of Program/Place of Training http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-1995-ARE.pdf
- 22-5490 – Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-5490-ARE.pdf
- 22/5495 – Request for Change of Program/Place of training Survivors’ and Dependents’ www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-5495-ARE.pdf
- CMU Registration Form (THIS MUST BE SUBMITTED EACH SEMESTER) financialaid.cmich.edu/forms/vetreg.pdf
- CMU Veterans Certification Guidelines financialaid.cmich.edu/forms/vetguide.pdf
VA Tuition Assistance & Grants
VA Tuition Assistance
Children of Veterans
Children of Veterans Tuition Grant http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mistudentaid/CVTGFactSheet_271497_7.pdf