The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requests your help in an
important research study about the educational assistance programs
administered by the VA. The educational assistance programs
administered by the VA provide financial assistance to Veterans to
help cover the cost of school and training.
The
information from this study will be provided to Congress to inform
future legislation and budgets. The information will also help
the VA improve the programs and better serve Veterans interested
in educational assistance.
Please
complete this questionnaire, which will take about 5 minutes or
less.
Privacy
Act Information:
This
survey is used to inform Congressional legislation and budgets to
help the VA better serve Veterans with educational assistance. The
information gathered from this survey will be maintained and
stored in a secure survey platform. VA will not disclose
information collected on this form to any source other than what
has been authorized under the Privacy Act of 1974. Your response
is voluntary. Giving us your information is voluntary. Refusal to
provide your information will not result in the denial of
benefits. VA will not deny an individual benefits for refusing to
provide information asked within this survey. The responses you
submit are considered confidential (38 U.S.C. 5701). Information
submitted is subject to verification through computer matching
programs with other agencies.
The
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995: This
information is collected in accordance with section 3507 of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Accordingly, we may not conduct
or sponsor and you are not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a valid OMB number. We anticipate
that the time expended by all individuals who complete this survey
will average 5 minutes. This includes the time it will take to
follow instructions, gather the necessary facts and respond to
questions asked. Customer satisfaction is used to gauge customer
perceptions of VA services as well as customer expectations and
desires. The results of this survey will lead to improvements in
the quality of service delivery by helping to improve primary care
services. Participation in this survey is voluntary and failure to
respond will have no impact on benefits to which you may be
entitled.
Thank
you for your time and for your service!
|
What
is the HIGHEST LEVEL of education and training you have
COMPLETED?
Mark (X) for the highest degree received.
No
High School Credential
HIGH
SCHOOL
TRAINING
FOR A CAREER, TRADE, OR INDUSTRY
Vocational/Technical/Non-College
Degree (e.g., HVAC repair, truck driving, EMT training, etc.)
VET
TEC Program
Flight
Training
On-the-Job
Training & Apprenticeships (e.g., plumbing, hotel management,
firefighting, etc.)
Other
Education or Training
Specify:
___________
COLLEGE
OR SOME COLLEGE
Some
college credit, no degree
Associate’s
degree (for example: AA, AS)
Bachelor’s
degree (for example: BA, BS)
AFTER
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Master’s
Degree (for example: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, MBA)
Professional
degree beyond a bachelor’s degree (for example: MD, DDS,
DVM, JD)
Doctoral
degree (for example: PhD, EdD)
|
What
is your sex?
Male
Female
Prefer
not to answer
|
What
is your age?
|
What
is your race? Mark one or more boxes
American
Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black
or African American
Native
Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
White
Prefer
not to answer
|
What
is your ethnicity?
Hispanic
or Latino
Not
Hispanic or Latino
Prefer
not to answer
|
What
is your current employment status? Are you working full time,
part time, or not at all? Mark (X) ONE box.
|
What
is your military status? (Check all that apply)
|
Which
branch of the Armed Forces were you sworn into? Check ALL that
apply. If more than one is selected, please follow each
corresponding follow-on instruction.
Army
…(go to q9)
Navy
…(go to q10)
Air
Force…(go to q11)
Marine
Corps …(go to q8)
Coast
Guard …(go to q10)
Space
Force …(go to q11)
Army
Reserves …(go to q9)
Navy
Reserves …(go to q10)
Air
Force Reserves …(go to q11)
Marine
Corps Reserves …(go to q9)
Coast
Guard Reserves …(go to q10)
Air
National Guard …(go to q11)
Army
National Guard …(go to q9)
Other
(specify)________
…(go to q12)
|
What
was your Primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) prior to
leaving your last service obligation?
|
What
was your Primary Rating prior to leaving your last service
obligation?
|
What
was your Primary Air Force Specialty Code prior to leaving your
last service obligation?
|
The
next set of questions are about the educational assistance
programs administered by the VA, also sometimes called “GI
Bill” benefits, “Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits,”
“Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty benefits,” and
“Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve benefits.” These
programs provide financial assistance for education and training
to qualifying Veterans and family members.
|
Did
you begin an education or training program using educational
assistance programs administered by the VA? Mark (X) ONE box.
Yes,
using my
education entitlement …(go to q13)
Yes,
using an education entitlement transferred
to me from a Veteran relative
…(go to q13)
Yes,
I am the recipient of a Fry
Scholarship
…(go to q13)
No,
I transferred my education entitlement to my dependent …(END
of survey)
No,
neither I nor my dependents have used a VA education entitlement
…(go to q14)
|
Under
which GI Bill did you elect your benefits? Check all reasons that
apply.
Post-9/11
GI Bill (Chapter 33)…(go to q15)
Montgomery
GI Bill – Active Duty (Chapter 30) …(go to q15)
Montgomery
GI Bill – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)…(go to
q15)
Survivors’
and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) …(go
to q15)
Post-Vietnam
Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
(Chapter 32) … (go to 15)
Reserve
Educational Assistance Program (REAP) (Chapter 1607) …
(go to 15)
Do
Not Know … (go to q15)
|
Did
any of the circumstances below prevent you from using educational
assistance programs administered by the VA
to pursue your desired education or training path? (Check all
reasons that apply. After this, go to END of survey)
Health
related concerns
ADA
and accessibility concerns
Financial
difficulties
Illness
or death in immediate family
Family
responsibilities
Ineligible
for Educational Assistance Program
Education
or training program was canceled
Change
in employment
Moved
Unanticipated
active military service, including active duty for training
Other
Specify:
_____________________
|
Did
you enroll in the education or training program… (Check
all reasons that apply)
To
support the transition from military service to a civilian
career?
To
gain greater career and job opportunities?
To
continue growth through learning and expand base of knowledge?
To
meet family, peer, or social expectations?
Because
it made pursuing an education accessible and affordable?
Other
_________________________
|
What
kind of institution provides/provided your education or training?
Mark (X) ONE box.
College/University
Community/Junior
College
Vocational/Technical/Occupational
School
Other
School or School District (Elementary, Junior High, High School,
or Adult Learning Center)
Private
Business/Company/Hospital
Government
Agency (Federal, State, Local)
Professional
Association/Organization/Union
Other
Specify
__________________
|
Are/were
you enrolled in the education or training program on a full-time
or part-time basis?
|
Are/were
you working as an employee while attending your education or
training?
|
The
next section will ask about your satisfaction with educational
assistance programs administered by the VA.
|
How
likely are you to recommend educational assistance programs
administered by the VA to your military peers or others who could
potentially qualify for education benefits?
Highly
likely
Somewhat
likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very
unlikely
|
How
satisfied are you with the process to get your Certificate of
Eligibility from VA?
|
When
planning your education or training path, how satisfied were you
with the availability
of VA resources?
|
Did
you interact with a School Certifying Official at your education
or training institution?
Yes
…(go to q23)
No
…(go to q24)
|
How
satisfied were you with your education or training institution’s
School Certifying Official?
|
When
deciding whether or not to use educational assistance programs
administered by the VA, did you use any of the services below and
if so, how helpful were they for you? (yes or no box and Likert
scale next to each option below)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
|
When
deciding among
different possible education and training programs,
did you use… (yes or no box next to each option below)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
(Did
not use | Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | Helpful | Not Helpful)
|
Does/did
your educational or training program offer any services or
benefits for Veterans?
Yes
…(go to q27)
No
…(go to q28)
Don’t
know …(go to q28)
|
Please
describe the services or benefits your educational/training
program offered Veterans (e.g., priority registration, academic
advising, career counseling, campus VA work study, etc.)
|
Has
the VA determined that you have a service-connected disability;
that is, a health condition or impairment caused or made worse by
military service?
|
The
VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
program–also referred to as Chapter 31—provides
vocational training and rehabilitation to Veterans with
service-connected disabilities that limit or prevent them from
working. Were or are you eligible
for
vocational
training and rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title
38, United States Code? Mark (X) ONE box.
|
Did
you use
vocational training and rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31
of Title 38, United States Code? Mark (X) ONE box.
|
The
VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information,
resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to
help prepare for the change from military to civilian life,
including guidance on Veteran benefits, education options,
federal assistance and Veteran employment help. Did you
participate in the VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP)?
|
Overall,
how effective was the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in
providing you information, resources, and tools to help prepare
for the change from military to civilian life?
Extremely
effective
Very
effective
Moderately
effective
Slightly
effective
Not
at all effective
|
How
effective was the VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at
informing you
about your eligibility for educational
assistance programs administered by the VA?
Extremely
effective
Very
effective
Moderately
effective
Slightly
effective
Not
at all effective
|
How
effective was the VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at
informing you how
to apply for
educational assistance programs administered by the VA?
Extremely
effective
Very
effective
Moderately
effective
Slightly
effective
Not
at all effective
|
How
effective was the VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in
guiding you how
to use educational
assistance programs administered by the VA?
Extremely
effective
Very
effective
Moderately
effective
Slightly
effective
Not
at all effective
|
Did
you complete the education or training program?
Yes
…(go to q37)
No
…(go to q39)
|
What
type of degree or certificate did you receive using your VA
education benefits? Mark (X) ONE box.
Vocational
diploma or certification
Technical
diploma
Associate’s
degree (for example: AA, AS)
Bachelor’s
degree (for example: BA, BS)
Master’s
Degree (for example: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, MBA)
Professional
degree beyond a bachelor’s degree (for example: MD, DDS,
DVM, JD)
Doctorate
degree (for example: PhD, EdD)
Another
diploma or certificate
Specify:
___________
|
Did
you apply for a job in your education or training field of study;
that is, in the area for which you received training or
education?
Yes,
and I am currently employed in my field of study
Yes,
but I am currently employed in a different field
Yes,
but I was unable to find employment
Other
– (please specify)__________________________________
|
How
many total credit hours did you complete?
|
After
becoming eligible for education service benefits, did you have to
use any personal funds to attain your degree or certification?
|
Did
you take out any loans to complete your education or training
program?
Yes
…(go to q42)
No
…(go to q44)
|
Did
you take out a student loan before
or after
learning that you are eligible for educational assistance
programs administered by the VA?
|
What
are the reasons you took out one or more loans to complete your
education or training program? (Check all reasons that apply).
…your
educational assistance program benefit expired?
…you
transferred your educational assistance program benefit to a
dependent?
…your
educational assistance program benefit did not cover the full
cost of your program?
…you
did not use your educational assistance program benefit?
…you
used the loan to cover a dependent’s education costs?
…other
reason?
Specify:
_________________________________________________
|
What
was your employment status prior
to
enrolling
in your education or training program?
Were you working full time, part time, or not at all?
Full
time
Part
time
Not
at all
|
Which of
these describes your total, before tax, annual personal
income before you
began an education or training program using educational
assistance programs administered by the VA? (Total
from wages/salary
only. Do not include investment income, VA disability
compensation, pensions, etc.)
$0
$1
to 9,999
$10,000
to 24,999
$25,000
to 49,999
$50,000
to 74,999
$75,000
to 99,999
$100,000
to 149,999
$150,000
and greater
Prefer
not to answer
|
Which
of these describes your current total,
before tax, annual personal income? (Total
from wages/salary
only. Do not
include investment income, VA disability compensation, pensions,
etc.)
$0
$1
to 9,999
$10,000
to 24,999
$25,000
to 49,999
$50,000
to 74,999
$75,000
to 99,999
$100,000
to 149,999
$150,000
and greater
Prefer
not to answer
|
As
a result of using your education benefits, would you say your
quality of life has:
Increased
significantly
Increased
somewhat
Not
changed
Decreased
somewhat
Decreased
significantly
|
As
a result of using your education or training program administered
by the VA, has your capacity for work now:
Increased
significantly
Increased
somewhat
Not
changed
Decreased
somewhat
Decreased
significantly
|
Which
of the following best describes your occupation before you
began an education or training program using educational
assistance programs administered by the VA? (Choose
all that apply)
Military
Service
Production Occupation
Business
and Financial Operations Occupation
Healthcare
Support Occupation
Farming,
Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
Computer
and Mathematical Occupation
Construction
and Extraction Occupation
Management Occupation
Personal
Care and Service Occupation
Arts,
Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupation
Community
and Social Service Occupation
Life,
Physical, and Social Science Occupation
Building
and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupation
Sales
and Related Occupation
Education,
Training, and Library Occupation
Food
Preparation and Serving Related Occupation
Installation
and Repair Occupation
Protective
Service Occupation
Healthcare
Practitioners and Technical Occupation
Office
and Administrative Support Occupation
Architecture
and Engineering Occupation
Legal
Occupation
Transportation
and Materials Moving Occupation
Other
Please
specify
|
If
you have any additional comments or suggestions related to
educational assistance programs administered by the VA, please
provide them here.
|
The
Department of Veterans Affairs appreciates your time and feedback.
|
