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Public Safety Officers" Educational Assistance
The PSOEA Program also makes assistance available to spouses and
Under the PSOEA program, the families of state and local police, fire, and emergency public safety officers are covered for line-of-duty deaths that occurred on or after January 1, 1978.
The families of Federal law enforcement officers and firefighters are covered for line of duty deaths occurring on or after October 12, 1984.
The effective date for families of permanently and totally disabled Federal law enforcement officers is October 3, 1996.
Families of state and local police, fire, and emergency public safety officers are covered for line-of-duty permanent and totally disabling injuries that occurred on or after November 13, 1998.
Families of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel and state, local and tribal emergency management and civil defense agency employees are covered for such injuries sustained on or after October 30, 2000.
The Department of Justice enforces the law and defends the interest of the United States, ensuring public safety against threats foreign and domestic; providing Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; seeking just punishment for those guilty of unlawful pursuits; and ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: PSOEA has developed an E-package. The PSOEA application can be downloaded from the PSOB website at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/index.html, or http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psob/psob_education.html. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Uses and Use Restrictions
Program funds are intended solely to defray eligible applicants" educational expenses, which may include tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other expenditures consistent with the educational, professional or vocational objectives of the applicant.
Funds are restricted to defray above costs only.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Specialized group (e.g.
health professionals, students, veterans): Higher Education (includes Research)
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individual/Family
Credentials/Documentation
Documentation needed to apply for assistance includes: the Application for Public Safety Officer"s Educational Assistance (42 U.S.C. 3796 d); educational transcripts; tuition/fees statements; acceptance letters to educational/professional institutions; schedule of classes; verification of full or part-time status; and certification of other forms of educational assistance. Contact the PSOB office at 1-888-744-6513 or by e-mail at AskPSOB@usdoj.gov, for full credential/documentation requirements. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Claimants may initiate a claim by writing or telephoning the PSOEA Program, Benefits Office, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20531, (1-888) 744-6513 or AskPSOB@usdoj.gov.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. The applicant must submit a fully executed application to the PSOEA Program, Benefits Office, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20531.
Award Procedures
Upon a finding of eligibility by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, claimants are typically awarded funds for the current or upcoming term, and they may apply for the following term once the earlier term has been completed. Funds can be received for multiple terms at one time if they have already been completed.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
Educational Assistance to Dependents of Civilian Federal Law Enforcement Officers Killed or Disabled in the Line of Duty, 42 U.S.C. 3796d. Section 1211 and Section 1212; Public Law 104-238, Section 2(2), 110 Statue 3114; Public Law 105-390, Section 2 (2) Statue 3495.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Dependent upon validity of claim and submission of required documentation.
Appeals
Applicants may appeal within 30 days of denial notification. The appeal process consists of a record review by an administration hearing officer.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance is available for the equivalent of 45 months of full-time education or training, or for a proportional period of time for a part-time program. Assistance is typically awarded in 4-month installments to coincide with the length of a school term. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Audits
No audits are required for this program.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0403-0-1-754.
Obigations
(Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use) FY 08 $1,280,006; FY 09 est $4,100,000; FY 10 est $4,100,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For classes taken since October 1, 2008, the rates of assistance are $915 per month for full-time students. $686 for three-quarter-time student. $456 for half-time students and $228.75 for less-than-half-time students. The amount of assistance is subject to change consistent with the current computation of educational assistance allowance set forth in Title IV of the Higher Education Act, Section 3532 of Title 38, U.S.C.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
The Bureau of Justice Assistance"s Public Safety Officers" Educational Assistance Program Fact Sheet (August 1999); Federal Register guidelines are available.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Eric Martin, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20531 Email: AskPSOB@usdoj.gov Phone: 1-888 744-6513 or (202) 616-6500
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applications received by BJA are reviewed for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with all program requirements.
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