WI VET EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS:
The Wisconsin G.I. Bill is a state program
>> that is entirely separate from the federal VA's Montgomery G.I. Bill.
It
>> provides a full waiver (remission) of tuition and fees for eligible
>> veterans and their dependents for up to 8 full-time semesters or 128
>> credits at any University of Wisconsin System (UWS) or Wisconsin
>> Technical
>> College System (WTCS) institution for continuing education, or for
study
>> at the undergraduate or graduate level. In accordance with 2005
Wisconsin
>> Act 468 effective with the 2007-08 academic year, the tuition remission
>> is
>> a full 100% of tuition and fees for eligible veterans. There is
no
>> post-service time limitation (such as the federal Montgomery G.I. Bill
>> 10-year delimiting date) on the use of the benefit. The veteran may
>> attend
>> full-time or part-time. The benefit may be used for continuing
education,
>> or for study at the undergraduate or graduate level. Eligibility
>> prerequisites are Wisconsin resident at the time of entry onto active
>> duty
>> (Character of service and active duty service requirements apply) and
>> recipient must reside in Wisconsin.
>>
>> A 100% remission is also provided to the
qualifying dependents of an
>> eligible veteran (i.e. Spouse; or Unremarried Surviving Spouse; or
child
>> between the ages of 18 and 25) where the qualifying Wisconsin veteran:
>> . Is currently rated by the federal VA with a combined
service-connected
>> disability rating of 30% or greater; or
>> . Died in the line of duty while on active, Reserve, or Guard duty; or
>> . Died as the direct result of a service-connected disability, as
>> determined by the federal VA.
>> For qualifying spouses and unremarried surviving spouses, the benefit
>> must
>> be used within 10 years of the date of death or the initial disability
>> rating of 30% or greater. The spouse or unremarried surviving spouse
may
>> attend full-time or part-time. For qualifying children, the benefit is
>> available only if they attend full-time.
>>
>> The Veterans Education (VetEd) grant
program provides a
>> reimbursement
>> grant following successful course completion at an eligible UW,
technical
>> college, or approved private institution of higher learning. The grant
is
>> based on a credit-bank system that is based on length of active duty
>> military service to eligible veterans who have not yet been awarded a
>> bachelor's degree for the reimbursement of tuition and fees. The
veteran
>> and spouse's combined annual income may not exceed $47,500 plus $500
for
>> each dependent in excess of two dependents. Veterans may concurrently
>> receive Chapter 30 Montgomery G.I. Bill (VA) benefits and VetEd for the
>> same semester. However, individuals eligible for Wisconsin G.I. Bill
>> benefits must apply for, and use those benefits in order to be eligible
>> for VetEd reimbursement. VetEd reimbursement will be reduced to the
>> extent
>> that tuition and fees have already been paid by other grants,
>> scholarships, and remissions provided for the payment of tuition and
>> fees.
>>
>> Service members, reservists, and veterans
pursuing a college
>> education
>> may be able to obtain academic credit for military courses they have
>> completed through the military. Prior to enrollment individuals should
>> discuss possible credit with the Veterans' Coordinator at the college
or
>> university they plan to attend; credit received may reduce attendance
>> time
>> and cost. They may obtain information regarding transcripts and
potential
>> credit for military experience from the links below.
>>
>> . The American Council on Education's (ACE): Their College Credit
>> Recommendation Service (CREDIT) provides access to academic credit for
>> formal courses and examinations taken outside traditional degree
>> programs.
>> The ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed
>> Services contains recommended credit awards for formal military courses
>> and occupations. http://www.acenet.edu.
>> . The Department of Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education
>> Support
>> (DANTES): Coordinates several programs that advance the acceptance of
>> military education and experience at civilian colleges and
universities.
>> Additionally, DANTES maintains the educational records of service
members
>> who have completed DSSTs, CLEP examinations, USAFI (United States Armed
>> Forces Institute) and GED tests
>> .http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/danteshome.asp?Flag=True .
>> . Military Transcript Services: Each branch of service provides
>> transcripts for current and former service members that include
>> individual
>> military education, training, and experience, which are evaluated
>> according to ACE standards for recommended college credit. Refer to
Army
>> http://aarts.army.mil. ; USN &
USMC
>> https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/transcript.html;
and USAF
>> http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp;
>> . The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs): Approved by ACE and
>> accepted or administered at over 1,900 colleges and universities
>> nationwide. DSSTs enable people to use the knowledge acquired outside
the
>> classroom to accomplish educational and professional goals. The website
>> includes downloadable forms, practice tests, and other information.
>> http://www.getcollegecredit.com.
>> . Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC): A consortium of over 1800
>> colleges and universities pledged to support the higher education needs
>> of
>> military personnel. SOC works with civilian and military educators to
>> overcome obstacles associated with gaining a college education when
>> pursued through traditional means. Among its key goals is the
award of
>> credit for military training and experience. The SOC Consortium
Guide
>> provides specific information for awarding credit for national testing
>> programs, military experience, and other non-traditional learning.
>> http://www.soc.aascu.org/socgen/SOCGuide.html.
>> [Source: http://dva.state.wi.us/Ben_education.asp
Jun 08 ++]