Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/10/25/04-23755/increase-in-rates-payable-under-the-survivors-and-dependents-educational-assistance-program
Timestamp: 2017-09-26 15:13:26
Document Index: 293883107

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 21', '§\u200921', '§\u200921', '§\u200921', '§\u200921', '§\u200921', '§\u200921', 'art\n6']

Federal Register :: Increase in Rates Payable Under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
Increase in Rates Payable Under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
A Rule by the Veterans Affairs Department on 10/25/2004
69 FR 62206
62206-62209 (4 pages)
2900-AL64
04-23755
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-23755 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-23755
This document amends the regulations governing rates of educational assistance payable under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program to reflect increases required by statutory provisions. The rates of educational assistance payable under the DEA program are changed to show a 1.5% increase for fiscal year 2003 (October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003) and a 2.2% increase for fiscal year 2004 (beginning October 1, 2003). In addition, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 provided an increase in the rates payable effective July 1, 2004. The amendments show the pay tables for the three rate increases identified above.
Effective Date: This final rule is effective October 25, 2004.
Applicability Dates: The changes in rates are applied to conform to the respective statutory requirements. For more information concerning the dates of applicability, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
Lynn M. Nelson, Education Advisor (225C), Education Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20420 (202) 273-7294.
Under the formula mandated by 38 U.S.C. 3564, the monthly rates of basic educational assistance payable under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program must be adjusted each fiscal year. The regulations governing the rates of educational assistance payable under the DEA program for fiscal year (FY) 2003 (October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003) are changed to reflect a 1.5% increase. The 1.5% increase is the percentage by which the total of the monthly Consumer Price Index-W (CPI-W) for July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002, exceeds the total of the monthly CPI-W for July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2001.
The regulations are further amended to include the DEA rates payable during FY 2004. The FY 2004 rates reflect a 2.2% increase. The 2.2% increase is the percentage by which the total of the monthly CPI-W for July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, exceeds the total of the monthly CPI-W for July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002.
In addition to the cost of living rate adjustments discussed above, Section 302 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-183) provides an increase in the DEA rates effective July 1, 2004. A new paragraph (c) is added to Section 21.3131 to show the increased DEA rates effective July 1, 2004.
The changes set forth in this final rule are effective from the date of publication, but the changes in the rates for FY 2003 are effective October 1, 2002, the changes in the rates for FY 2004 are effective October 1, 2003, and the changes in rates provided for in Public Law 108-183 are effective July 1, 2004. This is in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions discussed above.
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1232, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before developing any rule that may result in an expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any given year. This rule will have no such effect on State, local or tribal governments, or the private sector.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the program affected by this final rule is 64.117.
Approved: August 23, 2004.
End Amendment Part Start Part Start Printed Page 62207
1. The authority citation for part 21, subpart C, continues to read as follows:
2. In § 21.3045, paragraph (h) is revised to read as follows:
(1) $680.00 paid after September 30, 2002, and before October 1, 2003;
(2) $695.00 paid after September 30, 2003, and before July 1, 2004; and
(3) $788.00 paid after June 30, 2004.
3. In § 21.3046, paragraph (d)(4)(ii) is revised to read as follows
(A) $1,904 will provide during the period October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003;
(B) $1,946 will provide during the period October 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004; or
(C) $2,206 will provide after June 30, 2004.
4. Section 21.3131 is amended by:
b. Redesignating paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) as paragraphs (d), (e), and (f), respectively.
c. Adding a new paragraph (c).
(a) Rates. Except as provided in § 21.3132, educational assistance allowance is payable at the following rates for pursuit of education or training that occurs after September 30, 2002, and before October 1, 2003:
Full time $680.00.
3/4 time 511.00.
1/2 time 340.00.
Less than 1/2 but more than 1/4 time 1 340.00.
1/4 time or less 1 170.00.
Cooperative training (other than farm cooperative) (Full time only) 680.00.
Apprenticeship or on-the-job (full time only) 2:
First six months 495.00.
Second six months 370.00.
Third six months 246.00.
Fourth six months and thereafter 124.00.
Full time 549.00.
3/4 time 412.00.
1/2 time 275.00.
Correspondence 55 percent of the established charge for the number of lessons completed by the eligible spouse or surviving spouse and serviced by the school—Allowance paid quarterly. 3
1 If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or her program before the designated completion time, his or her award will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed $340.00 or $170.00, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum allowance is not initially authorized.
(b) Rates. Except as provided in § 21.3132, educational assistance allowance is payable at the following rates for pursuit of education or training that occurs after September 30, 2003, and before July 1, 2004:
Full time $695.00.
3/4 time 522.00.
Less than 1/2 but more than 1/4 time 1 347.00.
1/4 time or less 1 173.75.
Cooperative training (other than farm cooperative) (Full time only) 695.00.
First six months 506.00.
Second six months 378.00.
Third six months 251.00.
Fourth six months and thereafter 127.00.
Full time 561.00.
3/4 time 421.00.
1/2 time 281.00.
1 If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or her program before the designated completion time, his or her award will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed $347.00 or $173.75, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum allowance is not initially authorized.
(c) Rates. Except as provided in § 21.3132, educational assistance allowance is payable at the following rates for pursuit of education or training that occurs after June 30, 2004:
Full time $788.00.
3/4 time 592.00.
1/2 time 394.00.
Less than 1/2 but more than 1/4 time 1 394.00.
1/4 time or less 1 197.00.
Cooperative training (other than farm cooperative) (Full time only) 788.00.
First six months 574.00.
Second six months 429.00.
Third six months 285.00.
Fourth six months and thereafter 144.00.
Full time 636.00.
3/4 time 477.00.
1/2 time 319.00.
5. In § 21.3300, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:
(c) Duration of special restorative training. VA may provide special restorative training in excess of 45 months where an additional period of time is needed to complete the training. Entitlement, including any authorized in excess of 45 months, may be expended through an accelerated program requiring a rate of payment for tuition and fees in excess of—
(1) $213.00 a month for the period beginning October 1, 2002, and ending September 30, 2003;
(2) $218.00 a month for the period beginning October 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2004; and
(3) $247.00 a month for months after June 30, 2004.
Start Printed Page 62209 Start Amendment Part
6. Section 21.3333 is amended by:
a. In paragraph (a)(1), removing “September 30, 2001, and before January 1, 2002.” and adding, in its place, “September 30, 2002, and before October 1, 2003:”.
b. In the rates table immediately following paragraph (a)(1), under the “Monthly rate” column, removing “$608.00” and adding, in its place, “$680.00'; and under the “Accelerated charges” column, removing “$190.00” each place it appears, and adding, in its place, “$213.00”.
c. In paragraph (a)(2), removing “December 31, 2001:” and adding, in its place, “September 30, 2003, and before July 1, 2004:”.
d. In the rates table immediately following paragraph (a)(2), under the “Monthly rate” column, removing “$670.00” and adding, in its place, “$695.00”; and under the “Accelerated charges” column, removing “$210.00” each place it appears, and adding, in its place, “$218.00”.
e. Adding a new paragraph (a)(3) immediately following the authority citation at the end of paragraph (a)(2) rates table.
f. Revising paragraph (b)(1).
(3) For special restorative training that occurs after June 30, 2004:
Special restorative training $788.00 If costs for tuition and fees average in excess of $247.00 per month, rate may be increased by training such amount in excess of $247.00.
(b) * * * (1) VA may pay the additional monthly rate if the parent or guardian concurs in having the eligible child's period of entitlement reduced by 1 day for each—
(i) $22.67 that the special training allowance exceeds the basic monthly rate of $680.00 for the period October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003;
(ii) $23.17 that the special training allowance exceeds the basic monthly rate of $695.00 for the period October 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004; and
(iii) $26.27 that the special training allowance exceeds the basic monthly rate of $788.00 for months after June 30, 2004.
[FR Doc. 04-23755 Filed 10-22-04; 8:45 am]