Veterans Affairs FAQ

 

  How The Process Works

• Generally, you need to be prepared to pay your education expenses up front, unless you are participating in certain programs that cover tuition, fees and books directly, such as Post 9/11GI Bill, VA Voc Rehab or NCNG TAP. You are also encouraged to apply for federal financial aid.
• If you are receiving Post 9/11 benefits the tuition and fee payments will be issued to SCC on your behalf at the time of your enrollment certification is processed. The amount will be prorated based on your benefit level as determined by your length of service. You must provide our office with an award letter from the VA, so that we can determine the portion of the tuition that you will pay yourself.
• Advance payment from the VA may be requested, but requires a 2-3 month lead time. 
• Before I can certify you to the VA (tell them to pay you), you must be fully accepted by the SCC Admissions Office, and all prior college transcripts must be received by us and evaluated for transfer credit.
• After you have been certified, it can still take 3-4 months before you receive your first payment.  You are encouraged to request direct deposit to your bank account to save some time in receiving your funds.

Paperwork Required

• If you have never used your benefits before, you must file an initial application with the VA.  You will apply online at www.gibill.va.gov. If you cannot apply online, we can provide you with a paper application.
•  Although not required, it may be useful to have available your DD Form 214 (Ch. 30 and 1607 applicants) or DD Form 2384/ NOBE form (Ch. 1606 and 1607 applicants).
• If you have used your veteran’s educational benefits before and are now transferring to SCC, or if you are changing your major at SCC, you must complete a Change of Program or Place of Training form (Form 22-1995) to be kept on file at SCC.
• All students must complete a SCC Certification Request form each academic year.

 When to Contact Me

• You must contact me at the beginning of each academic year to complete the SCC Certification Request, and any time thereafter if your information has changed.
• You must contact me if you decrease your number of credit hours by dropping, withdrawing from, or no longer attending any of your classes.  I am required to notify the VA in a timely manner of any change in your status, and any delay will result in you owing funds to the VA.

Other Important Information

• You can only be certified for classes that are required for your program.
• In order to receive full time pay, you must enroll and remain in 12 credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters.  Requirements for Summer term vary and based on a calculation by the VA.
• If you withdraw from a class, the VA may require you to repay any benefits from the beginning of the term for those hours.
• You must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 in order to avoid being placed on probationary status for your VA benefits.
• You must comply with SCC and VA attendance verification procedures.  See www.gibill.va.gov/wave or call 877.823.2378 for VA verification information.