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The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook VETERANS HANDBOOK A Veterans Guide to The University of the Virgin Islands Application Process The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 1 Table of Contents SECTION I – Managing your Benefits Applying for Veterans GI Bill Education Benefits – Page 2 Transferring Benefits – Page 3 SECTION II – VA GI Benefits Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Active Duty - Chapter 30 – Page 4 Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve - Chapter 1606 – Page 5 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) - Chapter 1607 – Page 6 The Post-9/11 GI Bill - Chapter 33 – Page 7 Active Duty Using Post-9/11 - Chapter 33 - Page 8 John David Fry Scholarship - Chapter 33 – Page 9 Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) - Chapter 32 – Page 10 Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA) - Chapter 35 – Page 11 - 12 VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Voc Rehab) - Chapter 31 – Page 13 SECTION III – DOD Benefits Military Spouse Career Advance Accounts Program (MyCAA) – Page 14 Military Tuition Assistance (MTA) – Page 15 Tuition Assistance Top-Up (TATU) – Page 16 SECTION IV – Resources VA Frequently Asked Questions – Page 17 VA Form Numbers/Name – Page 17 Reference and Financial Aid Websites – Page 18 Scholarships & Grants – Page 19 Acronyms & Department of Veterans Affairs Contact Numbers – Page 20 UVI Contact Information - Page 21 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 2 How to Apply for Veterans GI Bill Education Benefits Start the application process by visiting https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/apply.asp. Click on “Apply for Benefits” near the center of the screen; go to “Apply Online (VONAPP).” Be sure to complete the application in one sitting. If you exit, you must start over again which will delay processing. Please retain confirmation number. Either attach a digital version of your Member-4 or Service-2 DD214 to the VONAPP or submit the VONAPP online and then mail a copy of your Member-4 or Service-2 DD214 to: The Department of Veterans Affairs, Attention: RPO P.O. Box 100022, Decatur, GA 30031-7022. Always retain your original Member-4 or Service-2 DD214. Eligible for multiple benefits? Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool here: https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool For those on Active Duty: **Contact your Command Educational Officer** Please note that it takes 60-120 days for the VA Regional Processing Office to handle claims for benefits. The earlier you prepare and submit the paperwork, the more likely you are to receive your benefits in a timely manner. Your benefits will be certified within 30 days of the conclusion of UVI’s drop/add period. Once the VA determines your eligibility, a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be mailed to you. This is your final confirmation that you can use your benefits. To verify certifications, payments and eligibility, call the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551. If you have misplaced any required documentation for initiating the process of using VA benefits, your record can be requested at: www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html Print and send a copy of your Member-4 or Service-2 DD214, VONAPP, and current COE to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands awards Previous Training Credit when applicable. A veteran student must submit transcripts (JST or other) so that UVI can determine if previous education and training are appropriate for transfer. If eligible, both the VA and the veteran student will be notified that training time and tuition will be reduced proportionately. Several transfer credits can affect some students’ VA entitlements and financial aid. The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 3 Transferring Benefits Active Duty Member to Dependent or Spouse: Enroll your dependent in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (D.E.E.R.S.) https://address.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/address. Children of the active duty member must enroll before their 25th birthday. Active Duty Contributor: Log on the Department of Defense Transfer Education Benefits website https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/. Submit the Transferability Application to request transfer of benefits to dependent. Dependent must go to VONAPP website and complete the VONAPP VA Form 22-1990e Applicant will receive a copy of the COE Send copies of the VONAPP and current COE to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 From School to School Veterans and Transfer of Eligibility students: Complete Change of Program/Place of Training (COP/P) VA Form 22-1995 Chapter 35 & JDF recipients: Complete VA Form 22-5495. Send copies of Member-4 or Service-2 DD214, COP/P, and current COE to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 From Chapter 30 to Chapter 33 To use these benefits, fill out the VONAPP VA Form 22-1990 and note those individuals transferring from the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) will have a proportional amount of their basic $1,200.00 contribution refunded in the last monthly housing allowance payment when entitlement exhausts. Individuals who do not exhaust entitlement under the Montgomery GI Bill will not receive a refund. A refund of the $600.00 additional contribution is not authorized. For your reference, a comparison chart for the Post-9/11 Bill (Chapter 33) vs. the GI Bill (Chapter 30) can be found at: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/comparison_chart.asp Send copies of VONAPP VA Form 22-1990 to UVI: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 4 VA GI Benefits Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Active Duty CHAPTER 30 Eligibility Requirements The Chapter 30 version of the Montgomery GI Bill requires active duty service members to contribute $100.00 per month for the first 12 months of their enlistment. MGIB may also be used while on active duty. However, each service has additional educational benefit programs for active duty members, and most delay using MGIB benefits until after separation, discharge, or retirement. MGIB benefits may be used up to 10 years from the date of last discharge or release from active duty. The 10-year period can be extended by the amount of time a service member was prevented from training during that period because of a disability or because he/she was held by a foreign government or power. The 10-year period can also be extended if one re-enters active duty for 90 days or more after becoming eligible. The extension ends 10 years from the date of separation from the later period. Periods of active duty of less than 90 days qualify for extensions only if one was separated for a service- connected disability, a medical condition existing before active duty, or hardship. Benefits Eligible Servicemembers may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, any college fund eligibility, and if you contributed to the $600.00 buy-up program. You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years depending on the situation. View current payment rates. $600.00 Buy-Up Program. Some Servicemembers may contribute up to an additional $600.00 to the GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600.00 contribution, you may receive up to $5,400.00 in additional GI Bill benefits. The additional contribution must be made while on active duty. View increased monthly rates and contact your personnel or payroll office. Documents UVI needs from student Member-4 or Service-2 DD214 Copy of current COE Copy of VONAPP 22-1990 (with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Copy of COP/P VA Form 22-1995 (if applicable, with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 Visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_ad.asp for more information. The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 5 Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve Chapter 1606 Chapter 1606 Eligibility Requirements The Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserve. This includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves, as well as the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. It is the first program that does not require a person to serve on active duty in the regular Armed Forces to qualify. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements: • Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training, it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after Sept. 30, 1990. • Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT). • Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement. • Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. You will also retain MGIB-SR eligibility if you were discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct. Your eligibility period may be extended if you are ordered to active duty. Benefits Current payment rates Documents UVI needs from student Copy of Notice of Basic Eligibility (N.O.B.E.) forms 2384 or 2384-1 from the Command’s Educational Officer. The VA Department cannot certify the student without the N.O.B.E. Copy of current COE Copy of VONAPP 22-1990 (with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Copy of COP/P VA Form 22-1995 (if applicable, with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 6 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) Chapter 1607 Eligibility Requirements REAP is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This program makes certain Reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. $600 Buy-up Program Some Reservists may contribute up to an additional $600.00 to the GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600.00 contribution, the service member may receive up to $5,400.00 in additional GI Bill benefits. The Reservist must be a member of a Ready Reserve component (Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, or Inactive National Guard) to pay into the “Buy-Up” program. Benefits Current payment rates Documents UVI needs from student Copy of Member-4 or Service-2 - DD214Copy of current COE Copy of VONAPP 22-1990 (with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Copy of COP/P VA Form 22-1995 (if applicable, with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 7 Post-9/11 GI Bill Chapter 33 Eligibility Requirements The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Only active duty service performed after September 10, 2001 may be considered for determining eligibility. A service member or veteran must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty. However, individuals honorably discharged for a service-connected disability who served 30 days after September 10, 2001, may also establish eligibility. Active duty for training does not qualify as eligible active duty. Per the COE, students must be 100% eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill in order to receive Yellow Ribbon.* Anyone less than 100% eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill will NOT be eligible for Yellow Ribbon, this includes dependents using transfer benefits. Benefits For approved programs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits. If your release from active duty was before January 1, 2013, there is a 15-year time limitation for use of benefits. For individuals whose last discharge date is on or after January 1, 2013, the time limitation has been removed. Institutions of higher learning participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program may make additional funds available for your education program without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement. The following payments may also be available: • Monthly housing allowance • Annual books and supplies stipend • One-time rural benefit payment To see the current payment rates for the Post-9/11 GI Bill click here. Effective October 1, 2014, Online (Distance Learning) students will receive the Basic Allowance for Housing. Payment will be equal to half the national average for an E-5 with dependents. Yearly Books and Supplies Stipend of up to $1,000.00 maximum paid directly to student per VA Award Year, August 1-July 31. *UVI is not currently a Yellow Ribbon school The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 8 Active Duty using Post 9/11 Chapter 33 Eligibility Requirements Effective March 5, 2011, the Department of Veterans Affairs instituted a tier system for the Post-9/11 GI Bill similar to that used for determining a veteran’s eligibility for benefit award amounts. Tuition and fees will be covered at a percentage equal to the tier rating (100%, 90%, etc.). The maximum basic benefit is earned after serving an aggregate of 36 months of active duty service or after 30 days of continuous service for those individuals who are discharged for a service-connected disability. Individuals serving between 90 days and 36 months of aggregate active duty service will be eligible for a percentage of the maximum benefit. The percentage level ranges from 40% to 100% of the basic benefit. Aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001 = Your Percentage 100 Percent: Served 36 total months of active duty 100 Percent: discharged after 9/11 for a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service. 90 percent: 30 total months, including active duty in entry level and skill training 80 percent: 24 total months, including active duty in entry level and skill training 70 percent: 18 total months, excluding active duty in entry level and skill training 60 percent: 12 total months, excluding active duty in entry level and skill training 50 percent: six total months, excluding active duty in entry level and skill training 40 percent: 90 or more days, excluding active duty in entry level and skill training For more information visit https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/education/Post-911_General_info.pdf Documents UVI needs from student Chapter 33 Packaging Policy (signed) Copy of Member-4 or Service-2 DD214 Copy of current COE Copy of VONAPP 22-1990 (with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Copy of COP/P VA Form 22-1995 (if applicable, with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 9 John David Fry Scholarship Chapter 33 at 100% with Yellow Ribbon The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to the children and surviving spouses of Servicemembers who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible beneficiaries attending school may receive up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level. Find out more information on payment rates. See our fact sheet, which provides information that is more detailed. Eligibility Requirements Children and surviving spouses of an active duty member of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001 are eligible for this benefit. Children Children are eligible as of their 18th birthday (unless they have already graduated high school). A child may be married or over 23 and still be eligible. If they became eligible before January 1, 2013 their eligibility ends on their 33rd birthday. The age limitation is removed if the child became eligible on or after January 1, 2013. Spouses Lose eligibility to this benefit upon remarriage. If they became eligible before January 1, 2013, they are limited to 15 years to use the benefit. The time limitation is removed if the spouse became eligible on or after January 1, 2013 Benefits To find out these current benefits, please visit Learn more about the Fry Scholarship Documents UVI needs from student for JDF Scholarship Copy of current COE Copy of VONAPP 22-5490 (with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Copy of COP/P VA Form 22-5495 (if applicable, with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 10 Veterans Educational Assistance Overview (VEAP) CHAPTER 32 Eligibility Requirements All of these must be true. You: • Entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and • Opened and put money into your VEAP account before April 1, 1987, and • Put in $25.00–$2,700.00 on your own, and • Finished your first period of service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge Note: If you are currently on active duty, you must have at least 3 months of contributions available to use your VEAP benefits. Benefits VEAP pays out to the student at a 2:1 ratio of what was paid into it during the student’s service. The exact amount can only be determined by contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442- 4551 or go to a VA regional office near you Find your nearest VA regional benefit office Documents UVI needs from student Member-4 or Service-2 DD214 Copy of current COE Copy of VONAPP 22-1990 (with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 11 Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) CHAPTER 35 Eligibility Requirements One of the descriptions below must be true. The Veteran or service member: • Is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or • Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability, or • Is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or • Was forcibly detained (held) or interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity, or • Is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability (effective December 23, 2006) If you’re the child of a Veteran or service member • You can get benefits if you are between the ages of 18 and 26, except in certain cases. You may be married or unmarried. • If you are over 18 years old and using DEA, you cannot get Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from us. Learn about DIC • If you join the military, you cannot use this benefit while on active duty. In addition, if you want to use this benefit after you leave the service, you cannot have a dishonorable discharge. Military service can extend your eligibility, but this increase does not usually go past your 31st birthday. If you’re the spouse of a Veteran or service member • Your benefits start on the date we conclude that you qualify or on the date of the Veteran’s death, and last for 10 years. • If the Veteran was rated as permanently and totally disabled, with an effective date that is 3 years after discharge, you will qualify for benefits for 20 years from that effective date. This new policy began on October 10, 2008. • If the service member died on active duty, your benefits end 20 years from the date of death. • You can get DIC payments from us and use DEA benefits. The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 12 Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) (cont.) CHAPTER 35 Benefits • College or graduate degree programs • Career-training certificate courses • Educational and career counseling • Apprenticeships / On-the-job training Documents UVI needs from student VA File # (veteran's Social Security Number plus the suffix code) assigned by the VA after processing the VONAPP Copy of current COE Copy of VONAPP 22-5490 (with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Copy of COP/P VA Form 22-5495 (if applicable, with confirmation number denoting submission to the Department of Veteran Affairs) Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 13 VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Voc Rehab) Chapter 31 Eligibility Requirements All of these must be true. You: • Did not receive a dishonorable discharge, and • Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA, and • Apply for VR&E services Basic period of eligibility Your basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from the date you received notice of your: • Date of separation from active military service, or • First VA service-connected disability rating Please note: The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) finds that you have a Serious Employment Handicap (SEH). Having an employment handicap means your service-connected disability limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that does not make your disability worse, is stable, and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests). Benefits Student must be enrolled at The University of the Virgin Islands in order to use these benefits. They cannot be used in conjunction with Chapter 30 or Chapter 33. Participants have 48 months of program entitlement to complete an individual vocational rehabilitation plan. Documents UVI needs from student VA Form 28-1905 from Voc Rehab Counselor - Authorization and certification of entrance or re-entrance into rehabilitation and certification of status. Visit VONAPP website http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp fill out VA Form 28-1900. Contact your Admissions Representative at The University of the Virgin Islands to request your class schedule for your Voc Rehab counselor. The Voc Rehab counselor will submit VA Form 28-1905 UVI’s ACES department, which will be certified and forwarded to UVI’s Business Office for invoicing. Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 14 DOD Benefits MyCAA – Military Spouse Career Advance Accounts Program Eligibility Requirements The Department of Defense has recently reactivated the Military Spouse Career Advance Accounts (MyCAA) Program. Guidelines provided by the Department of Defense: • Spouse of an active duty Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine service member, or activated Reserve member in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, or O1-O2. • If the spouse of National Guard and/or AGR member, the sponsor must be on federal Title 10 active duty orders as reported in D.E.E.R.S. • Spouses of Guard/Reserve members in an Alert, Transition Assistance, or Post-Deployment status are not eligible. • Spouses must finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course. • Funding is limited to Associate’s degrees, certifications and licensure programs. Benefits The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship Program is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000.00 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification or Associate’s degree in a portable career field and occupation. Documents UVI needs from student Contact your Admissions Representative at The University of the Virgin Island to request your class schedule for your MyCAA counselor. Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 Visit https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa for more information. The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 15 Military Tuition Assistance (MTA) Eligibility Requirements Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services. Active duty members may elect to use the MGIB "Top-Up" in addition to their service provided TA to cover high-cost courses. TA is not a loan; it should be viewed as money you have earned just like your base pay. In accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs instructions, TA benefits cannot be used in conjunction with GI Bill benefits for the same month of classes. Please visit your particular service's website and start taking advantage of this opportunity: •Air Force Tuition Assistance - http://www.airforce.com/benefits/enlisted-education/ •Army Tuition Assistance - http://www.goarmyed.com/ •Navy Tuition Assistance - https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/ •Marines Tuition Assistance - https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/ •Coast Guard Tuition Assistance https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM- UNITS/ETQC/Voluntary-Education/Active-Duty/ •National Guard Tuition Assistance - http://www.goarmyed.com/ •Reserve Guard Tuition Assistance - https://www.goarmy.com/reserve/benefits/education.html Benefits MTA pays $250.00 per credit hour or $166.00 per quarter credit hour and a maximum of $4,500.00 per fiscal year and is paid by the Department of Defense (DOD). In order to qualify for this assistance, the service member must inform their VA contact at UVI of their intent to use TA. Once enrolled in school, UVI will draft a degree plan detailing your courses, cost per credit hour, and start/end dates. Documents UVI needs from student The student will need to upload the degree plan to the online education portal and send the plan to their Education Services Officer (ESO). The ESO will give the student the Tuition Assistance Authorization form to forward their VA contact. This process must be completed for every month. UVI’s ACES department will forward the form to UVI’s Business Office for invoicing. Send copies of your Tuition Assistance Authorization form to UVI at: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 16 Tuition Assistance Top-Up (TATU) Eligibility Requirements (Active Duty) This assistance is only for UVIonline students at UVI and has the same attributes and follows the same rules as MTA, but works in conjunction with the Montgomery GI Bill to fully cover a student’s tuition. Chapter 30 active duty recipients who are also being paid tuition assistance by DOD are eligible. There is no Top-Up provision for Chapter 1606 Guard/Reserve or Chapter 32 VEAP participants. Benefits • TA contributes the $250.00 per-credit hour and $4,500.00 maximum per fiscal year, and then tops off the tuition coverage by taking from the monthly GI Bill payments to cover what the TA does not. The student is required to cover financial aid up front due to differing payment methods between different branches of service. • You must first apply for MGIB benefits with VA Form 1990 and establish eligibility. TATU benefits will only be paid to eligible Chapter 30 individuals. You should submit a copy of the DOD TA form directly to The Department of Veterans Affairs. Documents UVI needs from student Tuition Assistance Authorization form Send copies of your Tuition Assistance Authorization form to: Mail to: STT: 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or STX: RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, V.I. 00850-9781 Visit https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/tuition-assistance-top- up/ for more information. The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 17 RESOURCES VA Frequently Asked Questions 1. Am I eligible for VA benefits, and what program would work best for me? Please visit http://www.gibill.va.gov to determine eligibility, preview and compare programs. 2. Are there GPA or attendance requirements to receive my benefits? You must maintain at least a 1.0 GPA and at least 90% overall attendance. Benefits will be terminated until the GPA and/or attendance meet the requirements. 3. Will the VA pay for classes that I have failed? It depends on the reason for failing. The VA will pay for classes that you have failed, providing you failed for grades. They will not pay if you failed a class for attendance. 4. How long before a claim correction reflects on my VA file? Once your ACES representative at UVI submits corrections to your file, it will take the VA at least eight weeks from the date of submission to post the correction to your file. 5. Does UVI’s VA contacts work for the Department of Veterans Affairs? No. We are UVI liaisons to the VA. Should you have any questions regarding your application status, pay delays or requesting documents, you will need to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs directly. 6. Are VA Benefits taxable? No. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA benefits are not taxable. If you need a statement of benefits paid, call 1.800.827.1000 to locate the nearest VA Regional Processing Office. VA Form Numbers/Names 22-1990: Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) 22-1990E: Application to Use Transferred Benefits (VONAPP) 22-5490: Dependent Application to Use VA Education Benefits (VONAPP) 22-1995: Veteran Change of Program/Place of Training (COP/P) 22-5495: Dependent Change of Program/Place of Training 22-1999: Enrollment Certification22-1999B: Notice of Change in Enrollment (Amendment, Adjustment, and/or Termination) The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 18 Reference and Financial Aid Websites FAFSA https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa UVI Financial Aid https://www.uvi.edu/enrollment/financial-aid/default.aspx Virgin Islands Veteran’s Benefits http://www.nhc-ul.org/Vet%20State%20Benefits%20- %20VI%202018.pdf Air Force Aid Society https://afas.org/ Armed Forces Foundation http://www.armedforcesfoundation.org American Legion http://www.legion.org Army Emergency Relief Society http://www.aerhq.org D.E.E.R.S. Enrollment https://address.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/address Department of Defense - Transferring Chapter 33 Benefits (Internet Explorer only) http://milconnect.dmdc.mil First Command Educational Foundation http://www.fcef.com VI Department of Veterans Affairs https://www.facebook.com/VIVeterans/ Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.va.gov GI Bill (Benefits Questions https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/4731 GI Bill (Verify Benefits) Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, and Chapter 1607 only http://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America http://iava.org/ Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society https://www.nmcrs.org/ Veterans of Foreign Wars http://www.vfw.org VONAPP http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application/ VA Archives in St. Louis www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html Grants for Veterans http://www.collegedegrees.com/financial-aid/grants/specialty/Veteran-college- grantsLoans Credit Union Student Loans http://www.custudentloans.org The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 19 SCHOLARSHIPS American Legion Auxiliary https://www.legion.org/scholarships Dolphin Scholarship Foundation http://www.dolphinscholarship.org Fast Web http://www.fastweb.com John David Fry Scholarship https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/fry_scholarship.asp MilitaryTA.com http://www.militaryta.com/ Purple Hearts Association https://purpleheartfoundation.org/services/scholarships-2/ Veteran Scholarships http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/veterans.htm Veteran Scholarships http://www.DODvets.com/scholarship.asp Scholarships for Military Children http://www.militaryscholar.org FEDERAL GRANTS Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant Eligibility Requirements Beginning with the 2010-11 award year, a student who is not eligible for a Pell Grant but whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. The student must be under 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time in college at the time of parent or guardian's death. Benefits The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the year, not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year. Documents UVI needs from student Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov Visit www.iava.org for more information. The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 20 ACRONYMS VONAPP: Veterans Online Application COE: Certificate of Eligibility TOE: Transfer of Entitlement Application VA: Department of Veterans Affairs COP/P: Request for Change of Program/Place of Training PP: Packaging Policy Agreement (Chapter 33) DEA: Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance Program B&SS: Book and Supply Stipend BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing N.O.B.E.: Notice of Basic Eligibility TA: Tuition Assistance VEAP: Veterans Educational Assistance Program DOD: Department of Defense ESO: Educational Service Officer MTA: Military Tuition Assistance TATU: Tuition Assistance Top-Up IAVA: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America EDD: Educational Dollars for Duty STEP: State Tuition Exemption Program VETERANS AFFAIRS CONTACT NUMBERS VA Support: 1-800-827-1000 Virgin Islands Department of Veterans Affairs: 1-727-319-7400 GI Bill Hotline: 1-888-442-4551 Veterans of Foreign Wars: 1-727-319-7483 American Legion Auxiliary: 1-317-569-4500 The University of the Virgin Islands Veterans Handbook 21 UVI CONTACT INFORMATION Albert A. Sheen Campus -STX Cheryl Roberts – Financial Aid – CRobert@UVI.edu Alicea Joseph – Financial Aid – Ajoseph2@UVI.edu Corally Beaupierre – Financial Aid – Cferris2@UVI.edu Charice Jackson – Cashier – Cjackso@UVI.edu Michelle Tuitt-Elliot – Cashier - Michelle.Tuittelliott@UVI.edu Irene J. Ramos – Enrollment Services Specialist II - iramos@live.uvi.edu St. Thomas Campus – STT Cheryl Roberts – Financial Aid – CRobert@UVI.edu Norma Williams – Financial Aid – Nwillia@UVI.edu Robert Chen – Cashier Office – Rchen@UVI.edu Jewel Chesterfield – Cashier Office – Jewel.Chesterfield@UVI.edu Monifa Potter – Registrar – Mpotter@UVI.edu