At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), we are committed to providing unwavering support to our veteran students as they pursue their educational goals. The Isakson Roe webpage plays a pivotal role in this commitment by serving as a dedicated platform to assist admitted veterans with their educational benefits. This webpage offers comprehensive information tailored to the unique needs of our veteran students, ensuring they have easy access to vital resources and support.
Through Isakson Roe, SIUE aims to empower our veteran students by providing insights into available educational benefits, scholarships, grants, and various other financial aid options. We recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans and are dedicated to facilitating a seamless transition to academic life, enabling them to achieve academic success without undue financial burden.
Our institution's communication strategy focuses on actively promoting the Isakson Roe webpage, ensuring that all admitted veterans are aware of the invaluable resources available to them. By offering these resources, SIUE fosters a culture of support and gratitude for our veterans, empowering them to make well-informed decisions about their educational journey.
Policy Statement: SIUE aims to encourage students to make informed and responsible financial decisions by supporting admitted veterans with educational benefits, utilizing CougarNet for account information, promoting alternative resources before considering student loans, and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy. This policy aims to increase awareness of available resources, enhance financial literacy, and foster responsible financial behaviors among our student community. We will achieve these objectives through the following initiatives:
1. Supporting Admitted Veterans with Educational Benefits: We will identify admitted veterans through a designated list, and they will receive information about available educational benefits and support tailored to their unique needs.
2. Utilizing CougarNet for Account Information: CougarNet, our secure online student portal, will serve as the primary platform for students to access information about their financial accounts, including tuition fees, billing statements, and available financial aid. We will actively promote the use of CougarNet to ensure students have easy and convenient access to essential financial information.
3. Promoting Alternative Resources: Prior to students taking out student loans, we will actively encourage them to explore alternative funding options such as scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and other financial aid opportunities.
4. Communication Strategy: The Isakson Roe webpage, dedicated to financial resources and student loans, will be prominently featured on our official website. The page will include comprehensive information on student loan options, repayment plans, and tools to estimate loan costs and potential outcomes.
By implementing this policy, we aim to empower our students, including veterans, with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed financial decisions and achieve academic success without unnecessary burdens of student loan debt. Through collaboration and outreach, we believe this policy will positively impact our student community and foster a culture of financial responsibility and resourcefulness.
Section 1018 of Public Law 116-315, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, adds new requirements for educational institutions participating in the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These new provisions became effective June 15, 2021 and apply to Institutions of Higher Learning and Non-College Degree institutions beginning August 1, 2021. Many of the requirements are consistent with the requirements of the Principles of Excellence, currently in Executive Order 13607; however, there are requirements in addition to those embodied in the Principles of Excellence which schools must also satisfy to maintain approval for GI Bill® participation.
Isakson Roe Compliance
1. Estimated total cost of the course that includes tuition, fees, books, supplies and any other additional costs.
https://www.siue.edu/financial-aid/cost/cost-of-attendance.shtml
2. Estimated cost of living expenses.
https://www.siue.edu/financial-aid/cost/cost-of-attendance.shtml
3. Amount of costs above that are covered by VA Education Benefits.
|
Tuition Covered |
Fees Covered |
Books* Covered |
Supplies Covered |
|
|
Ch. 30 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Ch. 31 |
Full |
Full |
Full |
N/A |
|
Ch. 32 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Ch. 33 |
Full |
Full |
N/A +Stipend |
N/A |
|
Ch. 35 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Ch. 1606 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
All rates are reflective of a full-time student
All rates are reflective of one semester
* SIUE Books are on a rental program. The rental is covered in fees. Chapter 33 recipients still receive $41 per credit our, up to $1,000 per year
4. Other types of Federal financial aid, not administered by VA that is offered by the institution, that the individual may be qualified to receive.
https://www.siue.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/index.shtml
5. Estimated amount of student loan debt the individual would have upon graduation.
|
|
Estimated Student Loan Debt at Graduation |
|
|
Ch. 30 |
$0 |
Ch. 30 recipients at SIUE utilize the Illinois Veterans' Grant that covers all tuition and fees; Individuals that do not qualify for Illinois Vetrans' Grant switch to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. |
|
Ch. 31 |
$0 |
Ch. 31 covers full tuition and fees and provides a monthly stipend |
|
Ch. 32 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Ch. 33 |
$0 |
Ch. 33 covers all tuiton and fees and provides a monthly stipend |
|
Ch. 35 |
$10,000 |
Average SIUE student debt is $23,131. A Ch. 35 recipient will receive 36 months or $45,396 at the 2021 rate. Therefore, student loan debt is estimated to be slightly less than half that of an average student. |
|
Ch. 1606 |
$0 |
The vast majority of 1606 recipients are eligible for full tuiton and fees due to the Illinois National Guard Grant (ILNG). Those not on ILNG utilize our Military Tuition Rate. |
6. Information regarding graduation rates.
https://www.siue.edu/inrs/factbook/
7. Information regarding job-placement rates for graduates, if available.
https://www.siue.edu/inrs/factbook/alumni_surveys.shtml
8. Information regarding the acceptance of transfer credits including military credits.
General transfer information:
https://www.siue.edu/transfer/transferring-credit/
Military Credit Policy
https://www.siue.edu/policies/1q4.shtml
9. Any additional requirements including training, experience, or examinations that are required to obtain a license, certification or approval for which the course of education prepares the individual.
https://www.siue.edu/consumer-disclosures/professional-licensure.shtml
10. Personalized shopping sheets must be provided within 15 days after tuition and fees are determined for the academic year if there is a change.
Base tuition rate is guaranteed for four continuous academic years
11. Inform an enrolled covered individual of the availability of federal financial aid, not administered by VA that is offered by the institution.
https://www.siue.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/index.shtml
12. Alert the individual of the potential eligibility for other federal financial aid before packaging or arranging student loans or alternative financing.
We do not estimate Alternative or PLUS loans for any students. We prioritize students using gift aid and military connected benefits before utilizing loans. We may contact you to ensure that you are optimally using your benefits.
13. Prohibit automatic renewal of a covered individual in a course and/or programs.
SIUE does not engage in automatic renewal.
14. Ensure each covered individual approves of the enrollment in a course.
Covered individuals request enrollment each semester via the Green Sheet for all chapters except Chapter 31. Chapter 31 recipents are enrolled by their VA counselor
15. Allow enrolled members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components and National Guard to be readmitted if such members are temporarily unavailable or must suspend enrollment by reason of serving in the Armed Forces.
https://www.siue.edu/military/incoming/deployment.shtml
16. Accommodate short absences for such services in the Armed Forces.
https://www.siue.edu/military/incoming/deployment.shtml
17. Schools must provide covered individuals the requirements for graduation and a graduation timeline.
Academic advisors provide students with sample curriculum and the DegreeWorks program allows students to view all classes needed to graduate.
18. Accredited educational institutions agree to obtain approval of the respective accrediting agency for each new course or program.
SIUE obtains approval for all programs.
19. Schools must designate an employee of the educational institution to serve as a point of contact for covered individuals and family members seeking assistance with:
a. Academic Counseling.
b. Financial Counseling.
c. Disability Counseling.
d. Other information regarding completing a course of education at the education institution.
The Office of Military and Veteran Services acts as a point of contact for covered individuals and family members in all University areas. 618-650-5425
