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Application
for Veterans Education Benefits
Applications are designed to obtain data necessary to determine eligibility for
educational assistance benefits for particular educational objectives. The application
and required forms vary according to the type of benefits and to the circumstances.
Certificate
of Eligibility
After the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has received the application and
all necessary supporting documents, the claim will be processed and a file (claim)
number established (usually the veteran's Social Security number). Veterans and
eligible dependents will receive notification of this action in the form of
a Certificate of Eligibility. The certificate will indicate the
type of benefit, the number of months of benefits remaining, and the date benefits
expire.
Chapter
30
If you are receiving Chapter 30 Education Benefits (Montgomery G.I. Bill) you
will receive a Student Verification Form (VAF 22-8979) from the DVA at
the end of each month. You must complete and return this form to the Buffalo
Regional Processing Office (RPO) in order for them to send your benefits check.
If you do not receive the Student Verification of Enrollment form, please call
the VA #1-800-827-1000 or come by the Records Office for assistance. Payment cannot be
made until this form has been received and processed by the DVA.
Enrollment
Certification
Once entitlement is established, it is necessary to complete and return to the
Loyola College Veterans Certifying Official a Veteran's Benefits Registration
Form. This needs to be completed each semester that you wish to receive benefits.
The Loyola College Veterans Certifying Official prepares enrollment certification
based on your enrollment status and submits to the DVA for processing and payment.
Processing takes anywhere from six to ten weeks before payment authorization
is made.
Changes
in Student Status
All students using their educational benefits from the DVA are required by law
to keep the Loyola Veterans Services informed of the following:
- Periods
of enrollment
- Audits
and withdrawals
- Change
of degree programs (VA Form 22-1995 required)
- Catalog
change
- Address
change
- Change
in dependents (VA Form 22-686c required)
- Requests
for course substitutions (approval must be obtained
prior to enrolling in course
Satisfactory
Academic Progress
All students receiving DVA education benefits are required to maintain satisfactory
academic progress according to published standards established and enforced by
the College. Loyola College Standards of Progress have been approved by the State
Approving Agency (SAA) and accepted by the DVA.
Title
38, United States Code, Sections 1674 and 1724 requires
that education assistance benefits to veterans and other
eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases
to make satisfactory progress toward completion of her
or his training objective. Accordingly, Loyola College
Veterans Services will discontinue certification of enrollment
and will inform the DVA of a termination (due to unsatisfactory
academic progress) for undergraduate students who remain
on academic probation for two consecutive semesters and
for graduate students who are subject to dismissal. This
may result in the student being over paid. Students have
a right to appeal terminations. The
DVA determines whether or not payment will be terminated
and the conditions for reinstatement.
Repeating
Classes
Benefits will not be paid for repeating courses in which a passing grade is received.
For undergraduate students, passing grades are "D"
or better, for graduate students,
"C" or better. The only exception (at this time) is when
university policy requires that you earn a higher grade
in a specific course.The
academic program of a student on warning or probation
may be restricted by the Dean. If enrollment restrictions
include repeating courses for which you initially received
a passing grade, the DVA will not reimburse you for the
course.There
is otherwise no limit on the number of times an eligible
person may repeat a course for which a failing (or otherwise
unacceptable) grade is received, provided the overall
Satisfactory Progress Standards are met. If
you have any questions concerning these rules, contact Loyola College's Veterans Services.
Tutorial
Assistance
Tutorial assistance may be paid to eligible veterans enrolled at least half-time
and rec eiving benefits under Chapter 30,31,32,34,35 and 106. Tutorial assistance
aids the student in defraying tutorial expenses and will be paid to reimburse
reasonable charges by a tutor. To qualify, you must have a weakness in a subject,
and your professor deems tutoring necessary. The maximum benefit is $1200. A
charge to entitlement will be made for assistance received in excess of $600
by Chapter 30, Chapter 32, and Chapter 106.
Break Pay
Break pay (also known as interval pay) is benefits paid for those periods between
semesters during which the student attends at the half-time rate or more. Continuous
payment will be made whenever possible. However, DVA will not authorize interval
payment in the following instances:
- Between
terms if the student is attending less than half-time
or is on Active Duty.
- Between
terms at the same institution which spans a full
calendar month or more. (i.e., July 31 - September
1).
- Of more
than 30 days between consecutive terms which the
student transfers to another institution.
- An interval,
regardless of length, preceding a change of program
when the student also changes institutions.
Vocational
Rehabilitation
A veteran may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits
if she or he incurred or aggravated a service-c
onnected disability on or after September 16, 1940,
which entitles them to DVA disability compensation
and who is in need of vocational rehabilitation
because his or her disability creates an employment
handicap. Under Chapter 31, the DVA pays the cost
of tuition, fees, books, equipment, and supplies.
The veteran also receives a monthly subsistence
allowance.
Vocational
rehabilitation may be provided for up to 48 months.
An eligible veteran generally has 12 years from
the date he/she is notified of entitlement by
the DVA compensation in which to use these benefits.
The DVA may approve an extension of time and/or
length of training in certain cases. Disabled
veterans are encouraged to contact the nearest
DVA office to obtain detailed inf ormation and
to request Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans'
Application for Vocational Rehabilitation.
DVA Work
Study Program
Veterans and Reservists enrolled 3/4 time or
more and training under Chapter 30, 31, 32,
35, 106 and section 903 may be eligible for
employment on a part-time basis. The DVA will
pay a non-taxable allowance equal to the prevailing
federal or state minimum wage, whichever is
higher. The Veterans Services office has
a limited number of positions that are periodically
available. For more information call 410-962-2571.
Financial
Assistance
The major categories of financial assistance
programs for undergraduate include loans, grants,
scholarships, and student employment. Loans
from state and federal government sources must
be repaid; however, the interest rate is usually
low and the repayment period is extended. Grants
and scholarships do not have to be repaid,
nor does the income earned through student
employment. Most of these programs are based
on the financial need of the student.
To
Begin
Take DD-214 (Member 4 copy) to the County Court
House. Ask for two copies ( one is for your
personal file ) These copies are free. You
must maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete all your
classes. Classes for which benefits will be
paid for by the VA must fulfill requirements
for graduation in your stated program ( you
are allowed two programs of study ) - Any subsequent
programs must be requested and approved by
the VA. Summer credits are counted a little
differently. Please check with the Loyola College
Veterans Affairs Office for more information.
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