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MONTGOMERY GI BILL (MGIB) ENROLLMENT FOR CERTAIN VETERANS;/EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VEAP) PARTICIPANTS 

R 061621Z MAR 01
  FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//MR//
  TO MARADMIN
  BT
  UNCLAS //N01000//
  MARADMIN 111/01
  MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC MRV//
  SUBJ/MONTGOMERY GI BILL (MGIB) ENROLLMENT FOR CERTAIN VETERANS
  /EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VEAP) PARTICIPANTS//
  REF/A/DOC/ASD/010215//
  REF/B/DOC/MHEP/910418//
  NARR/REF A IS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM, SUBJ:
  CHANGES TO MONTGOMERY GI BILL PROGRAM.  REF B IS MCO 1560.28B,
  VETERANS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.//
  RMKS/1.  THIS MARADMIN PROVIDES INFORMATION AND ESTABLISHES POLICY
  FOR ENROLLMENT OF CERTAIN VETERANS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
  (VEAP) PARTICIPANTS IN THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL (MGIB) AS AUTHORIZED
  BY REF (A), AND IS EFFECTIVE 31 OCT 01.
  2.  INFORMATION:  VEAP PARTICIPATION WAS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS WHO
  INITIALLY ENTERED ACTIVE DUTY BETWEEN 1 JAN 77 AND 30 JUN 85.  VEAP
  REQUIRED AN INITIAL CONTRIBUTION OF $25 WITH A MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION
  AMOUNT OF $2700, AND WAS MATCHED BY THE MARINE CORPS $2 FOR EVERY $1
  CONTRIBUTED BY THE MEMBER FOR A MAXIMUM BENEFIT OF $8100.  MGIB WAS    
      IMPLEMENTED 1 JUL 85, AND REQUIRES A PAY REDUCTION OF $100 PER MONTH
  FOR 12 MONTHS.  THE CURRENT MGIB BENEFIT IS $650 PER MONTH FOR 36
  MONTHS OF FULL-TIME SCHOOLING FOR A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $23,400.  THE
  DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN MGIB IS IRREVOCABLE, PAYMENTS CANNOT BE
  STOPPED AND MONEY CANNOT BE REFUNDED.
      A.  VEAP PARTICIPANTS ELECTING TO ENROLL IN THE MGIB MUST REQUEST
  A REFUND OF ANY UNUSED VEAP CONTRIBUTIONS.  VEAP REFUNDS WILL BE
  MADE BY THE VA, IAW REF (B).  REFUNDS FROM VEAP AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO
  MGIB ARE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TRANSACTIONS.  MONEY CANNOT BE
  TRANSFERRED FROM THE VEAP TO THE MGIB ACCOUNT.
      B.  ELIGIBLE MEMBERS WHO HAVE USED SOME OF THEIR ENTITLEMENTS
  UNDER VEAP MAY ELECT TO ENROLL IN MGIB.  HOWEVER, THEY ARE ENTITLED
  TO A TOTAL OF NOT MORE THAN 48 MONTHS OF FEDERALLY LEGISLATED
  EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS.  IF A SERVICEMEMBER USED 18 MONTHS OF BENEFITS
  UNDER VEAP, HE/SHE WOULD STILL QUALIFY FOR 30 MONTHS OF BENEFITS
  UNDER THE MGIB.  REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF BENEFITS REMAINING, AN
  ELECTION TO ENROLL UNDER THIS PROVISION REQUIRES A $2700    
      CONTRIBUTION.  FOR A SERVICEMEMBER TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF VEAP
  BENEFITS USED, THEY MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
  AT 1-888-442-4551 OR ONLINE WWW.GIBILL.VA.GOV/EDUCATION.
  3.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISIONS
  OF THE LAW, A SERVICEMEMBER WHO:
      A.  WAS A PARTICIPANT IN VEAP ON OR BEFORE 9 OCT 96, PARTICIPANT
  BEING DEFINED AS A SERVICEMEMBER WHO HAD A POSITIVE BALANCE IN THEIR
  ACCOUNT AT SOME POINT ON OR BEFORE THAT DATE;
      B.  WAS ON CONTINUOUS ACTIVE DUTY FROM 9 OCT 96 THROUGH 01 APR
  00;
      C.  COMPLETES A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY PRIOR TO
  APPLYING FOR BENEFITS;
      D.  RECEIVES OR RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE OR SEPARATION
  FROM ACTIVE DUTY; AND
      E.  MAKES AN IRREVOCABLE ELECTION TO RECEIVE BENEFITS UNDER MGIB
  IN LIEU OF BENEFITS UNDER VEAP DURING THE ONE YEAR PERIOD, 01 NOV 00
  TO 31 OCT 01;
  IS ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL UNDER THIS PROVISION.  PARTICIPANTS CAN
  ONLY DRAW MGIB BENEFITS AFTER PAYING THE REQUIRED $2700.  ELIGIBLE
  MEMBERS WHO SEPARATED OR RETIRED ON OR AFTER 01 APR 00, AND WERE NOT    
      AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT MGIB WILL BE NOTIFIED BY VA, AND
  ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES WILL BE OUTLINED IN THE VA NOTIFICATION
  LETTER.
  4.  RESPONSIBILITIES/PROCEDURES:
      A.  HQMC/MRV WILL:
          (1) PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THE ENROLLMENT OF ELIGIBLE MARINES
  INTO THE MGIB IAW REF A.
          (2) PROVIDE A LIST OF ALL ELIGIBLE MARINES WHO QUALIFY FOR
  THE ELECTION TO ALL BASE EDUCATION CENTERS AND DEFENSE FINANCE AND
  ACCOUNTING SERVICE, KANSAS CITY (DFAS-KC).
          (3) PREPARE AND PROVIDE A "COUNSELING FORM" AND "METHOD OF
  PAYMENT MEMO" TO BE USED BY EDUCATION CENTERS.
          (4) PROVIDE ITEMS 2 AND 3 UNDER SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE.
      B.  BASE EDUCATION CENTERS WILL:
          (1) ENSURE THAT ELIGIBLE VEAP PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR
  RESPECTIVE COMMANDS ARE NOTIFIED OF THEIR OPTION TO ENROLL IN THE
  MGIB UPON RECEIPT OF THE VEAP PARTICIPANTS LIST.  THIS LIST INCLUDES
  PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN MGIB, AND WILL BE
  AVAILABLE AT THE EDUCATION SERVICE CENTERS.  REFER ANY MEMBER NOT
  APPEARING ON THE LIST WHO THINKS THEY SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO    
      DFAS-PMCRAF/KC DSN 465-7050 OR (816) 926-7050.
          (2) PROVIDE COUNSELING ON THE BENEFITS AFFORDED UNDER THE
  VEAP AND MGIB TO ALL ELIGIBLE MARINES, AND HAVE SERVICEMEMBERS
  EXECUTE A COUNSELING FORM.  ALL VEAP PARTICIPANTS HAVE UNTIL 31
  OCT 01 TO MAKE A MANDATORY IRREVOCABLE ELECTION TO EITHER ENROLL
  OR DECLINE ENROLLMENT IN THE MGIB.  SERVICEMEMBERS HAVE UP TO 18
  MONTHS FROM DATE OF ELECTION TO COMPLETE THE $2700 CONTRIBUTION.
          (3) HAVE MEMBER EXECUTE A DD FORM 2366 REGARDLESS OF ELECTION
  TO ENROLL OR DECLINE.  ENSURE THE FOLLOWING VERBAGE IS INCORPORATED
  UNDER ITEM 3 ON ALL EXECUTED DD FORM 2366'S:  "PL 106-419 CONVERSION
  FROM VEAP TO MGIB.  I MUST:
             (1) DISENROLL FROM VEAP AND ENROLL IN MGIB;
             (2) PAY $2700 BY PAY REDUCTION OR LUMP SUM (NLT 18 MOS.
  FROM THIS DATE);
             (3) MAINTAIN THIS FORM, ALONG WITH PAYMENT RECORDS, TO
  VERIFY CONVERSION.  ELIGIBILITY BEGINS ONCE THE $2700 IS PAID."
          (4) COMPLETE "METHOD OF PAYMENT MEMO".  THIS MEMO INCLUDES AN
  EDUCATION OFFICE POINT OF CONTACT INFORMATION AND THE FOLLOWING    
      OPTIONS FOR PAYMENT:
             (1) CASH COLLECTION (LUMP SUM);
             (2) MONTHLY DEDUCTIONS (SPECIFY DOLLAR AMOUNT) OR;
             (3) COMBINATION OF LUMP SUM AND MONTHLY DEDUCTIONS
  (SPECIFY DOLLAR AMOUNT).
          (5) PROVIDE MEMBER WITH VA FORM 5281 OR 24-5281 TO DISENROLL
  FROM VEAP AND RECEIVE ANY REFUND OF VEAP ACCOUNT.
          (6) ENSURE MEMBER RECEIVES A COPY OF ALL EXECUTED DOCUMENTS:
  DD FORM 2366, COUNSELING FORM,  METHOD OF PAYMENT MEMO, AND VA FORM
  5281 OR 24-5281 FOR VEAP DISENROLLMENT/REFUND.
          (7) DISTRIBUTE DOCUMENTATION AS FOLLOWS:
             (A) IF THE CONTRIBUTION IS MADE IN MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS,
  THE EDUCATION OFFICE WILL FORWARD A COPY OF THE EXECUTED 2366 AND
  ORIGINAL "METHOD OF PAYMENT MEMO" AND "VA FORM 5281" DIRECTLY TO
  DFAS-PMCRAF/KC 1500 EAST 95TH STREET, KANSAS CITY, MO 64197-00001,
  FOR UNIT DIARY ENTRY.  DSN 465-7050 OR (816) 926-7050.  THE MINIMUM
  MONTHLY REDUCTION IS $150.
             (B) IF MEMBER IS RELYING ON VEAP REFUND FOR CONVERSION
  PAYMENT, THEN EDUCATION OFFICE SHOULD FAX VA FORM 5281 OR 24-5281    
      DIRECTLY TO DFAS-PMCRAF/KC DSN 465-3129.
             (C) IF A LUMP SUM CONTRIBUTION IS MADE, THE MARINE WILL
  TAKE A COPY OF THE DD FORM 2366 AND ORIGINALS OF THE REMAINING FORMS
  TO THE DISBURSING/FINANCE OFFICE FOR PROCESSING.
             (D) IF A COMBINATION OF LUMP SUM AND MONTHLY DEDUCTIONS
  IS ELECTED, THE MARINE WILL TAKE A COPY OF THE DD FORM 2366 AND
  ORIGINALS OF THE REMAINING FORMS TO THE DISBURSING/FINANCE
  OFFICE.
             (E) REGARDLESS OF THE METHOD OF PAYMENT SELECTED, SEND
  THE ORIGINAL EXECUTED DD FORM 2366 AND A COPY OF THE OTHER DOCUMENTS
  TO MEMBER'S COMMANDING OFFICER (ATTN:  CONSOLIDATED ADMIN SECTION)
  TO INCORPORATE IN MEMBER'S PERSONNEL FILE.
             (F) IF MEMBER DECLINES ENROLLMENT, SEND THE ORIGINAL
  EXECUTED DD FORM 2366 AND A COPY OF THE COUNSELING FORM TO THE
  MEMBER'S COMMANDING OFFICER (ATTN:  CONSOLIDATED ADMIN SECTION) TO
  INCORPORATE IN MEMBER'S PERSONNEL FILE.
             (G) MAIL OR FAX COPIES OF THE EXECUTED DD FORM 2366 AND
  COUNSELING FORMS OF ALL THOSE COUNSELED DURING THE PREVIOUS MONTH TO    
      THE MARINE CORPS MGIB MANAGER NO LATER THAN THE 10TH OF EACH MONTH.
  THE ADDRESS IS HQMC PERSONAL SERVICES BRANCH, LIFELONG LEARNING
  SECTION (MRV), 3280 RUSSELL ROAD, QUANTICO, VA 22134.  FAX DSN
  278-9820.
      C.  COMMANDING OFFICERS WILL ENSURE THAT:
          (1) ALL MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMAND ARE AWARE OF THIS CONVERSION
  OPPORTUNITY.
          (2) ALL ELIGIBLE MEMBERS REPORT TO THE BASE EDUCATION CENTER
  TO RECEIVE APPROPRIATE COUNSELING.
          (3) ALL ELIGIBLE MEMBERS IN THEIR COMMAND MAKE A DECISION TO
  EITHER ENROLL OR DECLINE BY 31 OCT 01.
          (4) THE ORIGINAL DD FORM 2366 AND A COPY OF THE REMAINING
  DOCUMENTS ARE APPROPRIATELY INCORPORATED INTO MEMBER'S OMPF AND SRB.
  LEGIBLE COPIES OF THE DD FORM 2366 SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO MMSB-20,
  (ATTN: MS. ANNIE YOUNG) AT 2008 ELLIOTT ROAD, QUANTICO, VA 22134.
      D.  DISBURSING/FINANCE OFFICES:
          (1) SCREEN THE MGIB ENROLLMENT PACKAGE FOR COMPLETENESS AND
  ELIGIBLILITY FOR ENROLLMENT.  CONTACT THE BASE EDUCATION CENTER TO
  CORRECT ANY DESCREPENCIES.
          (2) PROCESS LUMP SUM PAYMENTS OF $2700 OR PROCESS REQUESTS    
      FOR A COMBINATION OF A LUMP SUM/MONTHLY PAY REDUCTIONS PER SEPARATE
  DEFAS-KC INSTRUCTIONS.
      E.  DFAS-KC HAS AGREED TO:
          (1) GENERATE THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE ON ALL MARINES JANUARY
  2001 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2001 LES':  "PUBLIC LAW 106-419 PROVIDES AN
  OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONNEL WITH VEAP ACCOUNTS TO ENROLL IN THE MGIB.
  CONTACT YOUR BASE EDUCATION OFFICE, PERSONNEL OR CO FOR DETAILS."
          (2) REFER INQUIRIES AND COMPLEX CASES TO HQMC/MRV, MGIB
  MANAGERS AT DSN 278-9644.
          (3) DISENROLL THE SERVICE MEMBER FROM VEAP, PROCESS VA FORM
  5281 OR 24-5281 AND FORWARD TO THE VA FOR REFUND TO THE
  SERVICEMEMBER.
      F.  SERVICEMEMBER WILL:
          (1) RECEIVE COUNSELING AND EXECUTE A DD FORM 2366 AND
  COUNSELING FORM AT THE BASE EDUCATION CENTER.  ENSURE THAT BLOCK (3)
  OF THE DD FORM 2366 REFLECTS VERBAGE FROM PARA. 4.C.3. ABOVE.
          (2) TAKE THE CONVERSION PACKAGE TO THE DISBURSING/FINANCE
  OFFICE IF MAKING A LUMP SUM PAYMENT OR A COMBINATION LUMP
  SUM/MONTHLY PAY REDUCTIONS.
          (3) MAINTAIN A COPY OF THE COMPLETED PACKAGE, THE DD FORM    
      2366, THE COUNSELING FORM, THE MEMORANDUM AND ANY CASH VOUCHER
  RECEIPTS.
          (4) DECLINATION OF ENROLLMENT:  ELIGIBLE MARINES WHO WISH TO
  DECLINE ENROLLMENT MUST FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES AS OUTLINED ABOVE.
  THEY WILL INDICATE THEIR DECLINATION BY SIGNING 4C OF THE DD FORM
  2366.
  5.  RESERVE PERSONNEL:  ELIGIBLE RESERVE MARINES WHO WERE SERVING ON
  ACTIVE DUTY AS EITHER AN AR MARINE, OR EAD PROGRAM MAY QUALIFY, AND
  WILL BE PROCESSED BY THEIR PARENT COMMAND IAW PARA. 4.
  6.  THE HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS (MRV) MGIB MANAGERS ARE NATALIE
  GALVIN AND MERLIN LEWIS-ELLIS, DSN 278-9644, COMM (703) 784-9644.//
  BT