[S-SARA] SREB SARA Update for June 15, 2020

Mon Jun 15 12:06:00 CDT 2020

Courtesy of Sara Appel, Program Manager at the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC)
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Good afternoon S-SARA Members and Guests,

Below is a message from the VA regarding military-connected students' ability to complete their programs if an institution closes temporarily or permanently. Sara Appel of MHEC shared this information as it not only relates to brick-and-mortar institutions, but it is also for those institutions that offer only on-line programs (i.e. the connection with SARA). Please feel free to forward this information to your institutions so they can share it with their students.

[Seal of the US Department of Veterans Affairs]

Dear GI Bill(r) Student,

With the enactment of the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, (Public Law 116-140) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been granted the authority to extend  eligibility periods (i.e. delimiting dates) for students who had been pursuing a course or program of education and received GI Bill education benefits when their school temporarily closed/temporarily suspended a program of education on or after March 1, 2020.

This letter informs you Public Law 116-140, section 6, authorizes VA to extend the eligibility period if the beneficiary is prevented from pursuing a chosen program of education before the expiration of such period for using entitlement because an education institution closed (temporarily or permanently)

This section applies to:

  *   Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (chapter 30)
  *   Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves (chapter 1606)
  *   Dependents' Education Assistance for children (chapter 35)
  *   Post 9/11 GI Bill (including those recipients of the Fry Scholarship)
  *   Post 9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Entitlement Spouses and Children

Specifically, Public Law 116-140 authorizes VA to extend the 10-year eligibility period for MGIB and the 15-year eligibility period for Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries who meet the following criteria may apply for the extension:

  *   Were actively enrolled between March 1, 2020, and December 21, 2020;
  *   Had an interruption in training due to COVID-19;
  *   Had not reached their delimiting date prior to the interruption; AND
  *   Experienced a closing (temporary or permanent) of their educational institution or
  *   Experienced a temporary suspension of a program

In order to apply for this extension, you must submit a request to VA.  The request doesn't require a particular VA form, but the beneficiary's signed statement should include:

  *   The beginning and ending dates showing the beneficiary was unable to attend training and
  *   A statement indicating, it was due to COVID-19

You may send your request through the "Submit a Question" link at: https://gibill.custhelp.va.gov/<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MDkuMjI2NjMxNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dpYmlsbC5jdXN0aGVscC52YS5nb3YvIn0.UO_Di9CLpocBcnWXLn9BNWCyQka1dIoZ_O8iLdzPWqk%2Fbr%2F79629327609-l&data=02%7C01%7CElisa.Jaden%40SREB.org%7C6f7788d66e8b47e06f9308d80d341d94%7Ceb20950b168c497a98452b099844f3ef%7C0%7C0%7C637273864779873947&sdata=n0EHJe4to7uYUEiLteS0luaJhlo9jaebgjAUSgPhGUM%3D&reserved=0>

If you have questions about your GI Bill benefits, please contact the Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday or you may use the following link: https://gibill.custhelp.va.gov/<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MDkuMjI2NjMxNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dpYmlsbC5jdXN0aGVscC52YS5nb3YvIn0.3qwOyRdxPqhXpNlCwByQdvuhwi1QEUb76aHRUluq5qk%2Fbr%2F79629327609-l&data=02%7C01%7CElisa.Jaden%40SREB.org%7C6f7788d66e8b47e06f9308d80d341d94%7Ceb20950b168c497a98452b099844f3ef%7C0%7C0%7C637273864779878928&sdata=JDJq2U8fxtz%2B78ZkunQMAclRCZ8IHIfOfYXjaQZX2Z4%3D&reserved=0> through the "Submit a Question".

Respectfully,

Education Service

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Benefits Administration

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If you know a Veteran who is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at

1-800-273-8255 and press 1.

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For more detailed information on Public Law No: 116-140 and the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, go to https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6322<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F116th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F6322&data=02%7C01%7CElisa.Jaden%40SREB.org%7C1ae7d58c65b94bd3a35808d80d45ed55%7Ceb20950b168c497a98452b099844f3ef%7C0%7C0%7C637273941273971856&sdata=nDryRluVamgubtCVk10CbmXE%2B7QrMfTBkjX3NtnoQaM%3D&reserved=0>.

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