Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014

Policy Concerning the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014

“The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (codified at 38 U.S.C. 3679) has been amended by the newly passed Public Law 114-315, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016, which modifies 38 U.S.C. 3679(c). For courses, semesters, or terms beginning after July 1, 2017, UMass Lowell will charge qualifying veterans, dependents, and eligible individuals tuition and fees at the rate for in-state residents. As amended, 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) requires that the following individuals be charged the resident rate:

• A Veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill ® – Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®), of 38 U.S.C. who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the institution within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill ®benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the institution within three years of the transferor's discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person so described must have enrolled in the institution prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33 of 38 U.S.C.
• Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill ®benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
• The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (codified at 38 U.S.C. 3679) has been amended by the newly passed Public Law 115-251, Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2018, which modifies 38 U.S.C. 3679(c). For courses, semesters, or terms beginning after March 1st,2019, UMass Lowell will charge individuals using education assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) the in-state residential rate. As amended, 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) adds VR&E beneficiaries to the group of individuals who qualify for residential rates under PL 114-315.
• Individuals using the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship are no longer required to enroll within three years of the service member’s death, and there is no longer a requirement that the deceased service member’s death in the line of duty followed a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• A new category of individuals was added to section 3679; the new category of consists of individuals using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®  benefits while the transferor is on active duty in the uniformed services.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Federal law permits public institutions of higher education to require eligible veterans, dependents, or individuals to demonstrate intent to establish residency in the state by means other than satisfying a physical presence requirement. For example, UMass Lowell may request documentation such as a driver’s license, car registration or voter registration, signed lease, or rent receipt to help establish an applicant’s intent to establish residency in Massachusetts. Please note that the federal law does not include a durational residency requirement, nor does it include a requirement that the eligible veteran, dependent, or individual demonstrate intend to remain in Massachusetts indefinitely. UMass Lowell may require the eligible veteran, dependent, or individual to meet other requirements, unrelated to residency, in order to be eligible for the in-state tuition rate.”

Trademark- GI Bill

Trademark all usage of the term “GI Bill”.
Undergraduate Catalog: Page 57
Graduate Catalog: Page 34

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.