Chapter 33 Updates for 2025: What VASCOs Need to Know
🚨 Critical Updates Effective August 1, 2024
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has undergone significant changes that affect certification procedures and student payments. All VASCOs must be aware of these updates to ensure compliance and avoid delayed student payments.
1. Tuition and Fee Payment Rate Increases
The VA has increased the maximum tuition and fee payment rates for the 2024-2025 academic year based on cost-of-living adjustments:
| School Type | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public In-State | Actual Cost | Actual Cost | No Cap |
| Private/Foreign | $27,120.05 | $28,937.17 | +$1,817.12 |
💡 What This Means for VASCOs
- •Public schools: Continue certifying actual tuition costs with no changes
- •Private schools: Students whose tuition exceeds $28,937.17/year will need Yellow Ribbon or out-of-pocket payment
- •Ensure your billing office updates their systems with the new cap amount
2. Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) Adjustments
MHA rates are based on the Department of Defense's Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for E-5 with dependents. The 2024 update includes several important changes:
Key MHA Changes:
- Online-Only Students: MHA capped at $1,025.50/month regardless of location (down from previous hybrid rules)
- In-Person Students: MHA calculated based on ZIP code of campus where majority of classes are taken
- Hybrid Students: If more than 50% of classes are in-person, they receive full MHA for that location. If 50% or less in-person, they receive the online-only rate
- Geographic Variance: MHA rates range from $870/month (rural areas) to $4,000+/month (high-cost cities like San Francisco, NYC)
⚠️ Certification Impact
You must now report the modality (in-person vs. online) for each course in Enrollment Manager. This determines the student's MHA rate. Incorrect modality reporting can result in overpayments or underpayments.
Action Required: Verify your SIS can provide course modality data, or establish a process to track this manually.
3. New Yellow Ribbon Participation Requirements
Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program must now comply with additional reporting requirements:
- Submission of Yellow Ribbon agreements must occur by May 1st for the upcoming academic year (previously June 1st)
- Schools must report Yellow Ribbon usage data quarterly instead of annually
- Maximum contribution amounts must be certified to the VA before the academic year begins
- Any mid-year changes to Yellow Ribbon eligibility or amounts require immediate notification to the VA
4. Books and Supplies Stipend Update
The books and supplies stipend remains at $1,000 per academic year, paid at $41.67 per credit hour up to the cap. No changes to calculation or payment methods.
5. Kicker Payment Processing Changes
Students with Department of Defense "kicker" incentives (additional monthly payments) will now see these payments processed separately from base Chapter 33 benefits. This change affects payment timing:
| Payment Type | Previous Timing | New Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Base Chapter 33 | 1st of month | 1st of month |
| Kicker Payment | 1st of month (combined) | 15th of month (separate) |
Action: Inform students with kickers about this change so they don't mistake the delayed kicker payment for an underpayment.
6. Certification Timeline Requirements
While the 30-day certification deadline hasn't changed, the VA is now tracking certification timeliness more rigorously:
📊 New Compliance Metrics
The VA is now measuring schools on:
- • Percentage of certifications submitted within 10 days of term start
- • Percentage of amendments submitted within 10 days of the change
- • Average time to certify enrollments
Schools with consistently late certifications may face increased compliance scrutiny.
7. Updated Enrollment Manager Interface
Enrollment Manager received a major update in August 2024. New features include:
- Course Modality Field: Required field for each course (In-Person, Online, Hybrid)
- Batch Certification Tool: Certify multiple students simultaneously (requires ELR approval to access)
- Real-Time Validation: System now flags common errors before submission
- Enhanced Reporting: New dashboard shows certification status and pending actions
- Mobile Responsive Design: Enrollment Manager now works on tablets and mobile devices
Action Items for VASCOs
✓ Implementation Checklist
- Update billing systems with new private school cap ($28,937.17)
- Establish process for tracking and reporting course modality
- Review Yellow Ribbon agreements and update if necessary
- Communicate kicker payment timing changes to affected students
- Explore Enrollment Manager batch certification tool (contact ELR)
- Train staff on new Enrollment Manager interface and required fields
- Review internal certification timelines to meet new compliance expectations
Additional Resources
- Complete Chapter 33 Guide - Comprehensive reference for Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Training Time Calculator - Ensure accurate training time reporting
- VA Terminology Glossary - Reference for all VA education benefit terms
Stay Ahead of VA Updates
VASCO Pro Software automatically updates with new VA regulations and payment rates. Our compliance dashboard alerts you to required actions and tracks deadline adherence to keep your institution in good standing.
Note: This article reflects regulatory changes effective as of August 1, 2024. Always consult your Education Liaison Representative (ELR) for the most current guidance and clarification on specific scenarios.