Prior law, in effect until January 1, 2012, requested the Office of the Adjutant General to, among other things, make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to each member of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia not having a baccalaureate degree. Prior law also requested the Office of the Adjutant General to assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

This bill would reinstate these provisions and request that the Adjutant General also make available additional information, including information regarding the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill and the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, and contact information for veterans educational assistance.

Prior law, in effect until January 1, 2012, requested the Office of the Adjutant General to, among other things, make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to each member of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia not having a baccalaureate degree. Prior law also requested the Office of the Adjutant General to assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

This bill would reinstate these provisions and request that the Adjutant General also make available additional information, including information regarding the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill and the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, and contact information for veterans educational assistance.

Prior law, in effect until January 1, 2012, requested the Office of the Adjutant General to, among other things, make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to each member of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia not having a baccalaureate degree. Prior law also requested the Office of the Adjutant General to assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

This bill would reinstate these provisions and request that the Adjutant General also make available additional information, including information regarding the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill and the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, and contact information for veterans educational assistance.

 CONSENT  

Bill No: AB 1401

Author: Baker (R)

Introduced: 2/27/15

Vote: 21

SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/23/15

AYES: Nielsen, Hueso, Allen, Nguyen, Roth

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 74-0, 5/22/15 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Veterans: student financial aid

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill requests the Office of the Adjutant General (OTAG) to provide specified assistance, regarding higher education, to members of the California National Guard (CNG), State Military Reserve (SMR), and Naval Militia, who do not have a baccalaureate degree.

ANALYSIS: Existing law provides various benefits for veterans including the GI Bill, California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNGEAAP), and other state and federal benefits.

Prior law, in effect until January 1, 2012:

1. Requested OTAG to, among other things, make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to each member of the CNG, SMR, and Naval Militia not having a baccalaureate degree.

2. Requested OTAG to assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

This bill:

1. Requests OTAG to, among other things, make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the FAFSA available to each member of the CNG, SMR, and Naval Militia not having a baccalaureate degree.

2. Requests OTAG to assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

3. Requests that OTAG also make available additional information regarding the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill and the state’s CNGEAAP program, and contact information for veterans’ educational assistance.

Background

Higher education benefits: APLE-NG. In 2003, the Legislature created the Assumption Program of Loans for Education program for CNG members (APLE-NG) via AB 547 (Liu, Chapter 345, Statutes of 2003). This program was sunsetted on January 1, 2012, but is discussed here for historical context. Under APLE-NG, eligible service members received a repayment of their loans for study at a college or university, as follows:

1. For one year of service, up to $2,000 of the student loan is assumed;

2. For two years of service, up to $5,000 of the student loan is assumed;

3. For three years of service, up to $8.000 of the student loan is assumed; and

4. For four years of service, up to $11,000 of the student loan is assumed.

In addition, AB 547 did the following:

1. Requested OTAG to:

1. Make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and FAFSA available to each member of the CNG, SMR, and Naval Militia who does not have a baccalaureate degree.

2. Assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

2. Established protections for qualifying CNG members who are deployed to active service during their academic term including:

1. An academic leave of absence for any academic session that the qualifying member is unable to attend or complete because he or she is on active duty;

2. The protection that the CNG member does not forfeit either any of the monetary value of the Cal Grant award or any of the periods of eligibility for that award.

3. Directed OTAG to submit to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the program, on or before July 1, 2006; and

4. Provided a sunset date of January 1, 2007, for APLE-NG and the protections.

The original APLE-NG statute was scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2007; therefore, in 2004 the Legislature enacted SB 1322 (Denham, Chapter 554, Statutes of 2004), which:

1. Extended APLE-NG until January 1, 2012.

2. Provided that APLE-NG would serve as an incentive for enlistment or reenlistment.

3. Authorized persons who otherwise qualify for participation in the program and who are enrolled in or have completed a program of study in a vocational diploma program, to participate in the program.

4. Required the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to report annually to the Legislature on the total number of program participants, as well as the number of participants who receive a loan assumption benefit.

Higher education benefits: CNGEAAP. CNGEAAP is a state-funded grant for members of the CNG or SMR (up to 1,000 participants – or as many as the annual budget will allow). This program authorizes CSAC to make payments to eligible program participants. Participants can receive up to the amount of the Cal Grant A award for attending the University of California or the California State University, up to the Cal Grant B award for attending a community college, or up to the University of California Cal Grant A amount for attending a non-public institution. Graduates may receive an additional $500 for books and supplies.

Related/Prior Legislation

SB 1322 (Denham, Chapter 554, Statutes of 2004) (1) extends by five years, from January 1, 2007, until January 1, 2012, the sunset date for the provisions of
AB 547 (Liu, 2003), which established the APLE-NG program and provided other academic benefits, (2) expands the pool of beneficiaries for the provisions of this legislation, as specified, and (3) makes technical and clarifying changes, as specified.

AB 547 (Liu, Chapter 345, Statutes of 2003) establishes APLE-NG – administered by CSAC – and awards qualifying members of the CNG. SMR, and Naval Militia with an assumption of their educational loans, according to specified schedules.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/19/15)

AMVETS - Department of California

California Association of County Veterans Service Officers

California Community Colleges, Chancellor’s Office

County of Contra Costa

Military Officers Association of America - California Council of Chapters

Veterans of Foreign Wars - Department of California

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/19/15)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 74-0, 5/22/15

AYES: Achadjian, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins

NO VOTE RECORDED: Alejo, Jones, O'Donnell, Olsen, Waldron, Weber

Prepared by: Wade Cooper Teasdale / V.A. / (916) 651-1503

8/19/15 20:43:00

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

Senator Jim Nielsen, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: AB 1401 Hearing Date: 6/23/15

Subject: Veterans: student financial aid.

DESCRIPTION

Summary:

Requests the Office of the Adjutant General (OTAG) to provide specified assistance, regarding higher education, to members of the California National Guard (CNG), State Military Reserve (SMR), and Naval Militia, who do not have a baccalaureate degree.

Existing law:

Provides various benefits for veterans including the GI Bill, National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (NGEAAP), and other state and federal benefits.

Prior law

In effect until January 1, 2012:

1. Requested OTAG to, among other things, make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to each member of the CNG, SMR, and Naval Militia not having a baccalaureate degree.

2. Requested OTAG to assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

This bill:

1. Requests OTAG to, among other things, make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to each member of the CNG, SMR, and Naval Militia not having a baccalaureate degree.

2. Requests OTAG to assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

3. Requests that OTAG also make available additional information regarding the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill and the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, and contact information for veterans’ educational assistance.

BACKGROUND

Higher Education Benefits: APLE-NG

In 2003, the Legislature created the Assumption Program of Loans for Education program for CNG members (APLE-NG) via AB 547 (Liu). This program was sunsetted on January 1, 2012, but is presented here for historical context. Under APLE-NG, eligible service members received a repayment of their loans for study at a college or university, as follows:

1. For one year of service, up to $2,000 of the student loan is assumed;

2. For two years of service, up to $5,000 of the student loan is assumed;

3. For three years of service, up to $8.000 of the student loan is assumed; and

4. For four years of service, up to $11,000 of the student loan is assumed.

In addition, AB 547 did the following:

1. Requested OTAG to:

1. Make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to each member of the CNG, SMR, and Naval Militia who does not have a baccalaureate degree.

2. Assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed.

2. Established protections for qualifying CNG members who are deployed to active service during their academic term including:

1. An academic leave of absence for any academic session that the qualify member is unable to attend or complete because he or she is on active duty; and,

2. The protection that the CNG member does not forfeit either any of the monetary value of the Cal Grant award or any of the periods of eligibility for that award...

3. Directed OTAG to submit to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the program, on or before July 1, 2006; and

4. Provided a sunset date of January 1, 2007, for the NG APLE and the protections.

Because the original APLE-NG statute was scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2007, the Legislature enacted SB 1322 (Denham, 2004), which:

1. Extended APLE-NG until January 1, 2012.

2. Provided that APLE-NG would serve as an incentive for persons to enlist or reenlist.

3. Authorized persons who otherwise qualify for participation in the program and who are enrolled in or have completed a program of study in a vocational diploma program, to participate in the program.

4. Required the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to report annually to the Legislature on the total number of program participants, as well as the number of participants who receive a loan assumption benefit.

Higher Education Benefits: CNG EAAP

The California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP) is a State-funded grant for members of the CNG or SMR (up to 1,000 or as many participants as the annual budget will allow). This program authorizes CSAC to make payments to eligible program participants. Participants can receive up to the amount of the Cal Grant A award for attending the University of California or the California State University, up to the Cal Grant B award for attending a community college, or up to the University of California Cal Grant A amount for attending a non-public institution. Graduates may receive an additional $500 for books and supplies.

COMMENT

Related Legislation

1. SB 1322 (Denham, Chapter 554, Statutes of 2004) (1) extends by five years, from January 1, 2007 until January 1, 2012, the sunset date for the provisions of AB 547 (2003), which established the APLE-National Guard program and provided other academic benefits, (2) expands the pool of beneficiaries for the provisions of this legislation, as specified, and (3) makes technical and clarifying changes, as specified.

2. AB 547 (Liu, Chapter 345, Statutes of 2003) establishes NG APLE – administered by CSAC – and awards qualifying members of the California Army National Guard (NG), the California Air NG, the State Military Reserves and the Naval Militia with an assumption of their educational loans, according to specified schedules.

POSITIONS

Sponsor: Author

Support:

AMVETS - Department of California

California Association of County Veterans Service Officers

California Community Colleges, Chancellor’s Office

Contra Costa, County of

Military Officers Association of America - California Council of Chapters

Veterans of Foreign Wars - Department of California

Oppose: None received

-- END --

Date of Hearing: May 13, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Jimmy Gomez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1401

Author:(Baker) – As Introduced Ver:February 27, 2015

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requests the Office of the Adjutant General (OAG) to make available information pertaining to education benefits and opportunities to members of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia who do not hold a baccalaureate degree. The bill also requests that the OAG assist these persons in completing the associated forms, as necessary.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Negligible costs to the Military Department to provide the information requested.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose and Background. According to the author, "This bill will add Section 981.8 to the Military and Veterans Code. Section 981.8 reinstates the law that expired on January 1, 2012, and requests the Office of the Adjutant general annually to provide all of the following available resources to each member of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia who do not have a baccalaureate degree: (1) a copy of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges; (2) a copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); (3) a copy of the latest brochure of information relative to the current Post-9/11 GI Bill; (4) a copy of the latest brochure of information relative to the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program; (5) contact information for a county Veterans Service Officer or the division responsible within the California Department of Veterans Affairs for higher education or the California National Guard, and (6) any necessary assistance required to complete the aforementioned forms."

Existing law provides various benefits for veterans including the GI Bill, National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, and other state and federal benefits.

The Military Department has continued to make available information pertaining to educational benefits and opportunities to service members via the Civilian Education Department and through the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, notwithstanding the sunset on the prior Section 981.8.

Analysis Prepared by: Pedro R Reyes / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 28, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

Jacqui Irwin, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1401

Author:(Baker) – As Introduced Ver:February 27, 2015

SUBJECT: Veterans: student financial aid

SUMMARY: Requests the Office of the Adjutant General to, among other things, make copies of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to each member of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia not having a baccalaureate degree. Requests the Office of the Adjutant General to assist these persons in completing these forms, as needed. Requests that the Adjutant General also make available additional information regarding the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill and the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, and contact information for veterans’ educational assistance.

EXISTING LAW: Existing law provides various benefits for veterans including the GI Bill, National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, and other state and federal benefits.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

AB 547 contained a sunset provision and the particular section at issue in this bill, MVC 918.8, ceased to operate as part of the sunset of the program created by the bill.

The wording of the section proposed by the bill before the Committee is slightly different than the 2003 bill, to reflect the sunset of the Loan Assumption Program and other changes since 2003.

Conditions have changed since 2003 and the context of the bill before the Committee is different than the context of AB 547; no major new higher education programs are being created by this bill, the operation tempo of United States' armed conflicts has decreased, the overall troop strength of the military is generally in a period of contraction, etc. However, the bill is permissive, very modest in scope, either wholly or nearly reflective of the current practice of the Department, and the information dissemination requested is achievable using the Internet. The goal of connecting servicemembers with all of the benefits to which they are entitled is consistent with state policy.

Technical Suggestions: If the bill progresses the author may wish to consider including information dissemination about the College Tuition Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents. This benefit, though not for the student veteran him or herself, waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus for certain eligible dependents of veterans (including spouses). The value and impact of this benefit to eligible recipients cannot be overstated.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

AMVETS, Department of California

California Association of County Veteran Service Officers

County of Contra Costa

Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California

Opposition

None on File.

Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550