[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14823-14826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7832]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
38 CFR Part 21

RIN 2900-AI55


Veterans Education: Increase in Rates Payable Under the 
Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: By statute, the monthly rates of basic educational assistance 
payable to veterans and servicemembers under the Montgomery GI Bill--
Active Duty must be adjusted each fiscal year. In accordance with the 
statutory formula, the regulations governing rates of basic educational 
assistance payable under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty for fiscal 
year 1997 (October 1, 1996, through September 30, 1997) are changed to 
show a 2.7% increase in these rates. Furthermore, the Veterans' 
Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 provides that the lower rate of 
educational assistance payable to veterans pursuing cooperative 
training was abolished for most veterans training under the Montgomery 
GI Bill--Active Duty effective October 9, 1996. They will be paid at 
the same rate as those veterans pursuing residence training. The 
regulations are changed to conform to statutory requirements.

DATES: This final rule is effective March 28, 1997. However, the 
changes in rates are applied retroactively to conform to statutory 
requirements. For more information concerning the dates of application, 
see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director 
for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans 
Benefits Administration (202) 273-7187.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the formula mandated by 38 U.S.C. 
3015(g) for fiscal year 1997, the rates of basic educational assistance 
under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty payable to students pursuing 
a program of education full time must be increased by the percentage 
that the total of the monthly Consumer Price Index-W for July 1, 1995, 
through June 30, 1996, exceeds the total of the monthly Consumer Price 
Index-W for July 1, 1994, through June 30, 1995. This is 2.7%.
    It should be noted that some veterans will receive an increase in 
monthly

[[Page 14824]]

payments that will be less than 2.7%. The increase does not apply to 
additional amounts payable by the Secretary of Defense to individuals 
with skills or a specialty in which there is a critical shortage of 
personnel (so-called ``kickers''). It does not apply to amounts payable 
for dependents. Veterans who previously had eligibility under the 
Vietnam Era GI Bill receive monthly payments that are in part based 
upon basic educational assistance and in part based upon the rates 
payable under the Vietnam Era GI Bill. Only that portion attributable 
to basic educational assistance is increased by 2.7%.
    Although 38 U.S.C. 3015(g) requires only that the full-time rates 
be increased, these revisions include increases for other training 
also. Monthly rates payable to veterans in apprenticeship or other on-
job training are set by statute at a given percentage of the full-time 
rate. Hence, any rise in the full-time rate automatically requires an 
increase in the rates for such training.
    38 U.S.C. 3015 (a) and (b) require that the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) pay part-time students at appropriately reduced rates. 
Since the first student became eligible for assistance under the 
Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty in 1985, VA has paid three-quarter-time 
students and one-half-time students at 75% and 50% of the full-time 
rate, respectively. Students pursuing a program of education at less 
than one-half but more than one-quarter-time have had their payments 
limited to 50% or less of the full-time rate. Similarly, students 
pursuing a program of education at one-quarter-time or less have had 
their payments limited to 25% or less of the full-time rate. Changes 
are made consistent with the authority and formula described in this 
paragraph.
    Before the enactment on October 9, 1996, of the Veterans' Benefits 
Improvements Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-275), a veteran pursuing a 
cooperative course under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty was paid 
educational assistance at 80% of the monthly rate payable to a 
similarly circumstanced veteran in residence training, provided he or 
she was not previously eligible for educational assistance under the 
Vietnam Era GI Bill. This statutory provision was reflected in the 
regulations. The Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 eliminated 
this different rate so that, effective October 9, 1996, veterans in 
cooperative training who were not previously eligible for educational 
assistance under the Vietnam Era GI Bill receive the same monthly rate 
as veterans in residence training. However, veterans training under the 
Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty who were previously eligible under the 
Vietnam Era GI Bill receive educational assistance that is in part 
based upon the rates payable under the Vietnam Era GI Bill. Since a 
lower rate was payable for cooperative training under the Vietnam Era 
GI Bill than was payable for residence training, there will continue to 
be a lower rate payable under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty to 
these veterans for cooperative training. 38 CFR 21.7136 and 21.7137 are 
changed accordingly.
    Nonsubstantive changes also are made for the purpose of clarity.
    The changes set forth in this final rule are effective from the 
date of publication, but the changes in rates are applied retroactively 
from October 1, 1996, or October 9, 1996, as respectively set out in 
the regulations, in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions 
discussed above.
    Substantive changes made by this final rule merely reflect 
statutory requirements and adjustments made based on previously 
established formulas. Accordingly, there is a basis for dispensing with 
prior notice and comment and delayed effective date provisions of 5 
U.S.C. 552 and 553.
    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs hereby certifies that this final 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, and does not directly affect small 
entities. This final rule directly affects only individuals. Pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this final rule, therefore, is exempt from the 
initial and final regulatory flexibility analyses requirements of 
sections 603 and 604.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the 
program affected by this final rule is 64.124.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 21

    Administrative practice and procedure, Armed forces, Civil rights, 
Claims, Colleges and universities, Conflict of interests, Defense 
Department, Education, Employment, Grant programs-education, Grant 
programs-veterans, Health care, Loan programs-education, Loan programs-
veterans, Manpower training programs, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Schools, Travel and transportation expenses, Veterans, 
Vocational education, Vocational rehabilitation.

    Approved: January 27, 1997.
Jesse Brown,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons set out above, 38 CFR part 21 (subpart K) is 
amended as set forth below.

PART 21--VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION

Subpart K--All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program 
(Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty)

    1. The authority citation for part 21, subpart K, is revised to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 30, 36, unless otherwise 
noted.

    2. In Sec. 21.7136, paragraphs (b), (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(1) 
introductory text, (d)(2) introductory text, (d)(5), (d)(6), and (f)(3) 
are revised, to read as follows:


Sec. 21.7136  Rates of payment of basic educational assistance.

* * * * *
    (b) Rates. (1) Except as elsewhere provided in this section or in 
Sec. 21.7139, the monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable 
for training that occurs after September 30, 1996, and before October 
1, 1997, to a veteran whose service is described in paragraph (a) of 
this section is the rate stated in the following table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly 
                           Training                               rate  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time....................................................    $427.87
\3/4\ time...................................................     320.90
\1/2\ time...................................................     213.94
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time.....................     213.94
\1/4\ time or less...........................................     106.97
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (2) If a veteran's service is described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, the monthly rate payable to the veteran for pursuit of 
apprenticeship or other on-job training that occurs after September 30, 
1996, and before October 1, 1997, is the rate stated in the following 
table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly 
                       Training period                            rate  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of pursuit of training......................    $320.90
Second six months of pursuit of training.....................     235.33
Remaining pursuit of training................................     149.75
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (3) If a veteran's service is described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, the monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable to 
the veteran for pursuit of a cooperative course is:

[[Page 14825]]

    (i) $342.30 for training that occurs after September 30, 1996, and 
before October 9, 1996; and
    (ii) $427.87 for training that occurs on or after October 9, 1996.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (c) * * *
    (1) Except as elsewhere provided in this section or in 
Sec. 21.7139, the monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable 
to a veteran for training that occurs after September 30, 1996, and 
before October 1, 1997, is the rate stated in the following table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly 
                           Training                               rate  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time....................................................    $347.65
\3/4\ time...................................................     260.74
\1/2\ time...................................................     173.83
Less time \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time.....................     173.83
\1/4\ time or less...........................................      86.91
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (2) The monthly rate of educational assistance payable to a veteran 
for pursuit of apprenticeship or other on-job training that occurs 
after September 30, 1996, and before October 1, 1997, is the rate 
stated in the following table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly 
                       Training period                            rate  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of pursuit of training......................    $260.74
Second six months of pursuit of training.....................     191.21
Remaining pursuit of training................................     121.68
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (3) The monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable to a 
veteran for pursuit of a cooperative course is:
    (i) $278.12 for training that occurs after September 30, 1996, and 
before October 9, 1996; and
    (ii) $347.65 for training that occurs on or after October 9, 1996.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)
    (d) * * *
    (1) For individuals, other than those pursuing cooperative training 
before October 9, 1996, or apprenticeship or other on-job training, it 
may not exceed:
* * * * *
    (2) For individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces 
after November 28, 1989 (other than those pursuing cooperative training 
before October 9, 1996, or apprenticeship or other on-job training), it 
may not exceed:
* * * * *
    (5) For individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces 
before November 29, 1989, and who are pursuing cooperative training, it 
may not exceed $320 per month for training received before October 9, 
1996.
    (6) For individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces 
after November 28, 1989, and who are pursuing cooperative training, it 
may not exceed $560 per month for training received before October 9, 
1996.

(Authority: Sec. 108(a)(2), Pub. L. 100-689, 102 Stat. 4170; Sec. 
5(a), Pub. L. 102-83, 105 Stat. 406)
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (3) For a veteran pursuing cooperative training VA will multiply 
the rate determined by paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section by .8 for 
training received before October 9, 1996.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 21.7137, paragraph (c)(2) introductory text is amended 
by removing ``1995, and before October 1, 1996'' and adding, in its 
place, ``1996, and before October 1, 1997''; paragraph (c)(2)(i) is 
amended by removing ``$604.62'' and adding, in its place, ``$615.87''; 
paragraph (c)(2)(ii) is amended by removing ``$453.96'' and adding, in 
its place, ``$462.40''; paragraph (c)(2)(iii) is amended by removing 
``$302.31'' and adding, in its place, ``$309.94''; paragraph (c)(2)(iv) 
is amended by removing ``$151.15'' and adding, in its place, 
``$153.97''; and paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (d)(1) introductory text, 
and (d)(3) are revised and paragraph (a)(3) is added, to read as 
follows:


Sec. 21.7137  Rates of payment of basic educational assistance for 
individuals with remaining entitlement under 38 U.S.C. ch. 34.

    (a) Minimum rates. (1) Except as elsewhere provided in this 
section, the monthly rate of basic educational assistance for training 
that occurs after September 30, 1996, and before October 1, 1997, is 
the rate stated in the following table.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate                   
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                No.          One          Two        for each 
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time...................................................      $615.87      $651.87      $682.87       $16.00
\3/4\ time..................................................       462.40       488.90       512.40        12.00
\1/2\ time..................................................       309.94       325.94       341.44         8.50
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time....................       309.94  ...........  ...........  ...........
\1/4\ time or less..........................................       153.97  ...........  ...........  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015 (e), (f), and (g))

    (2) For veterans pursuing apprenticeship or other on-job training, 
the monthly rate of basic educational assistance for training that 
occurs after September 30, 1996, and before October 1, 1997, is the 
rate stated in the following table.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate                   
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                 No          One          Two        for each 
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st six months of pursuit of program........................      $423.66      $436.03      $446.90        $5.25
2nd six months of pursuit of program........................       291.70       301.05       308.75         3.85
3rd six months of pursuit of program........................       173.55       179.68       184.40         2.45

[[Page 14826]]

                                                                                                                
Remaining pursuit of program................................       161.65       167.43       172.68         2.45
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(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(e), (f), (g))
    (3) The monthly rate payable to a veteran who is pursuing a 
cooperative course is the rate stated in the following table.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate                   
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                       Training period                             No          One          Two        for each 
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oct. 1, 1996-Oct. 8, 1996...................................      $463.90      $484.30      $503.90        $9.20
On or after Oct. 9, 1996....................................       579.87       605.37       629.87        11.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) For individuals, other than those pursuing cooperative training 
before October 9, 1996, or apprenticeship or other on-job training, it 
may not exceed:
* * * * *
    (3) For individuals pursuing cooperative training, it may not 
exceed $320 per month for training received before October 9, 1996.

(Authority: Sec. 108(a)(2), Pub. L. 100-689, 102 Stat. 4170; sec. 
5(a), Pub. L. 102-83, 105 Stat. 406)
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 97-7832 Filed 3-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P