Changes in G.I. Bill educational benefits to take effect on Aug. 1, 2011

Germanna Community College Veterans Affairs Orientation sessions on July 8 will provide information and answer questions about changes in the G.I. Bill.
12 p.m. to 2 p.m.-- Fredericksburg Campus' Sealy Auditorium
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- Fredericksburg Campus' Sealy Auditorium
Handouts from the orientation will also be available in the lobby at the Fredericksburg Campus and the Admissions Office at the Locust Grove Campus.
For more information, contact Germanna Veterans Affairs Education Representative Dianne Frausto at dfrausto@germanna.edu or 540/891-3023.
Changes to take effect on Aug. 1 include:
•For Veterans and their transferees - simplifies the tuition and fee rates for those attending a public school and creates a national maximum for those enrolled in a private or foreign school
◦Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees;
◦Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually;
◦The Yellow Ribbon Program still exists for out-of-state fees and costs above the cap.
•For Active Duty Members and their transferees - creates a national rate for those active duty members enrolled in a private or foreign school pursuing a degree
◦Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees;
◦Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 per academic year (an academic year begins August 1)
•Allows VA to pay MGIB (chapter 30) and MGIB-SR (chapter 1606) ‘kickers’, or college fund payments, on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum at the beginning of the term
•Prorates housing allowance by the student’s rate of pursuit (rounded to the nearest tenth)
◦A student training at a rate of pursuit of 75% would receive 80% of the BAH rate.