2.2: Education
Provide timely and accurate decisions on education claims and continue payments at appropriate levels to enhance veterans’
and servicemembers’ ability to achieve educational and career goals.
Other Information:
Purpose and Outcomes: The GI Bill of 1944 is one of the most significant pieces of domestic legislation in the history of
the Nation. This legislation established the precedent for providing educational assistance to veterans of military service.
Overall, VA administers six education and training programs for veterans, servicemembers, and reservists, in addition to the
vocational rehabilitation and employment program. The Montgomery GI Bill active duty and reserves programs account for over
89 percent of the participants. A small number of veterans participate in four programs that were established between the
end of the Vietnam Era GI Bill and enactment of the Montgomery GI Bill. The purposes and outcomes of the education programs
are to: • Assist in readjustment to civilian life; • Assist in obtaining affordable higher education; • Provide vocational
readjustment and restore lost educational opportunities; • Assist in the recruitment and retention of active duty personnel
and reserves; and • Enhance the Nation’s competitiveness through the development of a more highly educated and productive
workforce. During FY 2003 – FY 2008, VA does not anticipate a significant change in the training population. Strategies and
Processes: The following is a discussion of issues facing the education programs and VA’s strategies and processes to address
these issues and achieve this objective. The primary source population for VA’s education programs is recently discharged
veterans or reservists. Over the next 5 years, VA projects the number of separations from active military service to remain
fairly constant at approximately 183,000 per year, but declining to about 181,000 by 2008. Nearly all eligible servicemembers
participate in the Montgomery GI Bill program. Through FY 2001, nearly 58 percent have used at least a portion of their entitlement.
Today’s veteran is different from veteran populations under previous GI Bills. More are women and minorities. They are older
at the time of separation from active duty and more are likely to be married and have dependents. This suggests that today’s
education and training needs are different from previous programs. A program evaluation of VA education programs, completed
in 2000, found that the current program has continued the success established by the GI Bill of Rights and, in general, meets
the intent of the legislation. Compared to those who had not taken advantage of VA education programs, those who participated
have lower unemployment rates, higher attainment of career and education goals, and higher earnings. However, the study also
showed that the monthly benefits have not kept pace with education costs. While monthly GI Bill benefit payments to veterans
and other eligible beneficiaries were increased by 21 percent in FY 2000 and another 20 percent in FY 2002, they do not necessarily
cover all of the cost of tuition, fees, subsistence, and other expenses at educational institutions. Therefore, benefits must
be leveraged with other Federal, state, local, and private financial assistance. For instance, DoD supplements these benefits
with additional benefits (or “kickers”) for recruits who enter certain hard-to-fill military occupations. About 16 percent
of current MGIB beneficiaries receive a “kicker” in addition to the basic monthly benefit. Legislation enacted in FY 2000
permits an active duty servicemember to contribute an additional amount, up to $600, to receive a higher basic monthly benefit.
For example, an individual who contributes the maximum amount of $600 will receive a full time rate of $1135 monthly (effective
October 1, 2003) or $150 per month more than the basic benefit. Finally, many states offer assistance to active members of
the) National Guard. The challenge for VA is to identify and seek those other sources of financial aid and convey the information
to our customer trainees. Since the program evaluation was published, Congress has enacted legislation restoring some of the
purchasing power eroded by education costs that have historically exceeded the annual increases in the Consumer Price Index.
Public Law 107-103 mandates increases to the full-time rate under the Montgomery GI Bill, as follows: • $800 monthly effective
January 1, 2002; • $900 monthly effective October 1, 2002; and • $985 monthly effective October 1, 2003. In addition to the
rate increases, Public Law 107- 103 provided a number of benefit enhancements for VA beneficiaries. Among these enhancements
are: • Accelerated payments for high cost programs leading to employment in hightech industries. This provision became effective
for enrollments in courses or programs of education on or after October 1, 2002. • Expansion of work-study opportunities providing
additional locations and activities where a student can work and receive VA work-study benefits. • Revised definition of educational
institution allowing more entities to offer VA approved training. This provision particularly affected businesses and organizations
offering courses required for licensing and certification in high-tech occupations. The 106th Congress improved the VA education
benefit program by enacting a provision allowing servicemembers to receive Montgomery GI Bill benefits for any tuition or
school expenses not paid by the military service through their tuition assistance program. This same Congress passed legislation
to: • Pay benefits for some licensing and certification tests; • Allow servicemembers to add to their Montgomery GI Bill eligibility
accounts for an additional benefit when going to school; and • Eliminate the requirement that Montgomery GI Bill eligibility
be based on the initial period of active duty. This provision allows more veterans to become eligible for benefits. The education
program is focused on providing education beneficiaries with meaningful educational or training opportunities, adequate financial
assistance, access to benefit information and specialists, and convenient self-service opportunities. VA will: • Improve access
and dissemination of information. While more can and will be done, veterans and reservists are currently able to access some
benefit information and verify school enrollment through the Internet. Veterans, reservists, and other interested parties
can also use the Internet to ask questions regarding the use of education benefits. VA has already provided students with
toll-free telephone access to the Regional Processing Offices (RPO). • Simplify the administrative rules and regulations governing
the application and eligibility determination process. • Assess the work processes, organizational structure, performance
measures, and related workforce factors to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency. VA will use innovative information
management and technologies, as well as partnerships with training institutions, to improve service to veterans. We are currently
modifying work processes through the development of “expert” systems referred to as TEES. The organizational structure was
modified by consolidation to four RPOs. • Build or enhance partnerships with the DoD, educational institutions, and other
organizations to improve delivery of education benefits. In the near future, VA will deploy eCert, a web-based solution that
provides school officials access to important benefit information about their students. • Provide information about the Montgomery
GI Bill at entry on active duty. At various periods during military service, servicemembers are provided additional information
related to educational benefits. Since on-the-job-training (OJT) and apprenticeship programs appeared to be underused, Congress,
in Public Law 107-104, mandated that State approving agencies actively promote the development of programs of training on
the job. The current Congress is considering legislation that addresses OJT and apprenticeship issues. They are considering
an increase in benefits for individuals pursuing apprenticeship or OJT as well as incentives for early program completion
and modification of benefit entitlement charges. They are also considering a provision to address the need for coordination
of data among the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Labor with respect to on the job training. External Factors:
• Education Costs – Cost of education may continue to increase at current or higher rates. • Statutory Changes – Benefits
levels may not keep pace with education costs; thereby impacting on the program’s ability to achieve the outcome to “assist
in obtaining affordable higher education.” As a result, statutory changes may be required to encourage greater participation
by eligible veterans who are currently unable to use their benefits because of personal economic reasons. • Technology – Emerging
technologies are likely to increase the demand for education and training for veterans. • Recruitment and Retention Variables
– DoD recruitment and retention variables affect, and are affected by, VA’s education program. • Demographics – Changing veterans
characteristics and demographics suggest education and training needs are different for new veterans.
Indicator(s):
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