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.//
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