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This resource is being maintained for historical purposes only and is not currently applicable.

1999-2000 Veterans Status Match

PublicationDate: 5/19/99
Summary: 1999-2000 Veterans Status Match
Author: CPS - Central Processing System (CPS)

Posted on May 19, 1999

TO: Financial Aid Administrators
FROM: Department of Education
DATE: May 19, 1999
SUBJECT: 1999-2000 Veterans Status Match

The Department of Education has received questions from a few financial aid administrators (FAA) about problems with the VA Status Match. We confirmed that there was a minor problem with the VA Status Match for records processed from 1999-2000 startup until March 10, 1999. Although we believe the error affected very few applicants, we wanted to inform you of the situation. The problem involved applicants who indicated they are veteran but that VA incorrectly identified them as still being in active duty. An active duty status generates a VA match flag of 4 on the SAR/ISIR. Not all transactions processed before March 11, 1999 with a VA match flag of 4 are in error. In most of the cases we looked at, the applicant was confirmed correctly as still on active duty.

The Central Processing System (CPS) does not change a student's dependency status on the SAR/ISIR based on a match flag of 4. However, a student in active duty status is not considered a veteran for Title IV aid purposes, unless the student provides documentation to the school showing release from active duty prior to June 30, 2000.

For applicants processed by the CPS prior to March 11, 1999 who incorrectly received match flag 4, the FAA can collect from the students, their DD214 (military separation or record of service form) that states the conditions of release. The FAA can disburse aid if the DD214 reflects an honorable condition of release. If a DD214 is not available from the student, or if it reflects a dishonorable condition of release, an updated match flag can be obtained and the appropriate CPS edits will be applied to the student’s SAR/ISIR. Applicants can receive an updated match flag from VA by resubmitting their SAR/ISIR with a response of “yes” to question 57 (Are you a Veteran?). This will once again initiate a prescreening record to VA and generate a subsequent CPS transaction with the updated match flag. See 1999-2000 Action Letter #5 (GEN-98-30), Appendix B for additional guidance on VA Match flags.

We hope this has not caused you inconvenience. If you have any questions regarding this issue, please contact CPS Customer Service at 1-800-330-5947, option 2.