Isakson and Roe Act Section 1018
Section 1018 of Public Law 116–315, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020
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 will 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. Schools must satisfy the requirements of section 1018 by August 1, 2021.
VA announced the requirements of section 1018 in an email on April 1, 2021. The list below is a digested version of the requirements. Please refer to the exact wording of the statute (here) for the authoritative requirements.
Section 1018 codifies in statute the following requirements:
Section 1:
- Schools must provide a covered individual (a student using benefits under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of title 38, U.S.C., or chapter 1606 of title 10, U.S.C.) with a personalized shopping sheet that contains:
– Estimated total cost of the course that includes tuition, fees, books, supplies and any other additional costs.
– Estimated cost of living expenses.
– Amount of costs above that are covered by VA Education Benefits.
– Other types of Federal financial aid, not administered by VA that is offered by the institution, that the individual may be qualified to receive.
– Estimated amount of student loan debt the individual would have upon graduation.
– Information regarding graduation rates.
– Information regarding job–placement rates for graduates, if available. o Information regarding the acceptance of transfer credits including military credits.
– 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.
– Other information to facilitate comparison by the individual about aid packages offered by different educational institutions. - Personalized shopping sheets must be provided within 15 days after tuition and fees are determined for the academic year if there is a change.
- Schools must maintain policies that:
– Inform an enrolled covered individual of the availability of federal financial aid, not administered by VA that is offered by the institution.
– Alert the individual of the potential eligibility for other federal financial aid before packaging or arranging student loans or alternative financing.
– Prohibit automatic renewal of a covered individual in a course and/or programs.
– Ensure each covered individual approves of the enrollment in a course.
– 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.
– Accommodate short absences for such services in the Armed Forces
- Schools must provide covered individuals the requirements for graduation and a graduation timeline.
- Accredited educational institutions agree to obtain approval of the respective accrediting agency for each newcourse or program.
- 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:
– Academic Counseling.
– Financial Counseling.
– Disability Counseling.
– Other information regarding completing a course of education at the education institution.