Keith M. Wilson Director, Education Service NASAA Mid-Winter Conference February 14, 2011

Keith M. WilsonKeith M. WilsonDirector, Education ServiceDirector, Education Service

NASAA Mid-Winter ConferenceNASAA Mid-Winter Conference

February 14, 2011February 14, 2011

22Education ServiceEducation Service February 2011February 2011

VA Education BeneficiariesVA Education Beneficiaries

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Participants in VA Education Programs by Fiscal Year (in thousands)


Post-9/11 GI Bill Status Update Post-9/11 GI Bill Status Update

• Issued over $8.2 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill payments to over 442,180 Veterans and their educational institutions.

• VA paid over 337,000 individuals during the Fall semester.• Processed enrollments in 13 days

• Through February 7, received Spring enrollments for over 301,000 students; over approx 250,000 paid.• Processing enrollments in 18 days • Processing delays due to inclement weather


Legislative Changes: PL 111-377Legislative Changes: PL 111-377

• Simplifies Tuition and Fee payments• Pays all in-state public school costs (including Masters/PhDs)

Net Charges• Caps private school costs at $17,500 –

Individual state caps no longer needed• Yellow Ribbon Program still applies above $17,500

• Housing Allowance Payments• Prorates Housing Allowance to training time• Pays Housing Allowance for those solely in distance learning

Half the National average of $1348• Allows Vocational Rehabilitation participants to elect the

higher Housing Allowance offered by Post-9/11 GI Bill if otherwise eligible

Anticipated increase in Voc Rehab of 20% in 2012• Adjusts Housing Allowance Rates in August instead of January



• Expands coverage to Non-College Degree, On-the-Job Training, Apprenticeship, and Flight programs

• Prohibits paying education benefits between terms (“interval pay” or “break pay”) • Applies to ALL VA education programs, not just the

Post-9/11 GI Bill • Students will no longer continue to receive benefits for

short breaks between terms (e.g., the Dec-Jan winter holiday)

• Significant outreach effort underway to notify all students



• SEC. 203. Approval of Courses:• Deems certain programs of education

approved for VA based on other accreditation• Allows VA to better utilize the SAAs

Improved oversight functions Better alignment of resources with areas of concern

• VA in discussions with SAAs regarding implementation

• VA will continue working SAAs to forge an improved relationship based on the provisions of SEC. 203.


IT AccomplishmentsIT Accomplishments

• As of Dec 2010, VA deployed 4 of 5 planned Long Term Solution (LTS) releases

• LTS currently automates core components of internal Post-9/11 GI Bill claim processing, including calculation and outgoing payments

44% efficiency improvement

• PL 111-377 impacts VA’s deployment of enhancements to the LTS system.

• Fully automated processing of some supplemental claims delayed

• Efficiencies due to LTS automation will not be achieved in 2012


Things We’re Working OnThings We’re Working On

• IT Development• New Regulations• Training for Schools• Realignment of SAA Duties• Improved Debt Collection Process• Improved communication

• Better letters• Info Self-Service for students

ebenefits.va.gov


Things We’re Looking AtThings We’re Looking At

• Certification of Enrollment • Yearly Certifications• Two step process

Enrollment cert with $0 tuition and fees– Include net charges, if known

• Amended enrollment certification for net charges

• Housing allowance and books stipend paid based on initial enrollment cert

• Beneficiaries receive payment immediately• Improve timeliness


Things We’re Looking At (Contd)Things We’re Looking At (Contd)

• Communication • Choosing the Right School for You

Not just how to apply for benefits and get paid Provides veterans with information and resources to

aid them in making the best decision to meet their educational needs.

Documents

Keith M. Wilson Director, Education Service NASAA Mid-Winter Conference February 14, 2011