Frequently Asked Questions

This Web Page addresses some of Veterans' frequently asked questions such as:

• What type of discharges and separations make you eligible?

Your discharge must be "honorable." Discharges " under honorable conditions" and "general" discharges do not establish eligibility for chapter 30.

• How many months of benefits can you get?

You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits under this program after completing the full period of your enlistment. This applies if you were discharged for the convenience of the government completing: 20 months of an enlistment of less than three years: or 30 months of an enlistment of three years or more.

However, you will earn only one month of entitlement for each month of active duty after June 30, 1985, if you were discharged for other specific reasons before completing your enlistment period (for example a discharge based on a service-connected disability, a medical condition pre-existing service, hardship, or a reduction of force).

You may also earn one month of entitlement for each four months in the Selected Reserve after June 30, 1985.

You may receive a maximum of 48 months of benefits under more than one VA education program. For example, if you used 30 months of Dependents' Educational assistance (chapter 35 of title38, U. S. Code) are eligible under chapter 30, you could have a maximum of 18 months of entitlement remaining. If you used 27 months under chapter 34 before December 31, 1989, and are eligible for chapter 30, you could have a maximum of 21 months of entitlement remaining.

• How is entitlement charged?

You are charged one full day of entitlement for each day of full-time benefits paid. VA can extend entitlement to the end of a term, quarter, or semester if the ending date of your entitlement falls within a term, quarter, or semester.

• May you go part-time?

If you unable to attend full-time, consider going part-time. Benefit rates for part-time training are less than the full-time rates. Likewise, the entitlement charge for part-time training is less than the charge for full-time training. for example, if you receive full-time benefits for 12 months, the charge is 12 months. If you received one-half time benefits for 12 months, the charge is six months.

• How long are you eligible?

Benefits end 10 years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty. VA can extend your 10-year period by the amount of time you were prevented from training during the period due to a disability; or being held by a foreign government or power.

If your discharge is upgraded by the military, the 10-year period begins on the date of the upgrade.

If you are eligible based upon two years of active duty and four years in the Selected Reserve, you have 10 years from your release from active duty, or 10 years from the completion of the four-year Selected Reserves obligation to use your benefits, whichever is later.

• What training may you take?

You may receive benefits for a wide variety of training:

• Undergraduate Degree
• Independent study program leading to a standard college degree
• Courses leading to a certificate in Law Enforcement or Corrections
• Refresher, remedial and deficiency training

If you want to know if you may receive benefits for a benefits for a program, contact the Tallahassee community College Veterans Affairs Specialist at (850) 201-8406.

• How can you determine what classes you should take?

The Tallahassee Community College catalog outlines all majors available at TCC and what courses are required for graduation in each. All courses must be drawn directly from the outline as it appears in the catalog in effect at the time of your enrollment into the college. You will be certified only for those courses required for your degree.

• Are you eligible for tutorial assistance?

You may receive a special allowance for individual tutoring if you enter school at one-half time or greater basis. To qualify,you must have a deficiency in a subject, making the tutoring necessary. The school must certify your tutor's qualifications and the hours of tutoring. If eligible, you may receive a maximum monthly payment of $100. The maximum total benefit is $1,200. A total of $600 in tutorial assistance may be paid to a student without charge to the student's entitlement. All money paid after that limit is reached will be charged against that student's entitlement. The student is responsible for paying the tutor.

• Are you eligible for work-study?

You may be eligible for an additional allowance under a work-study program. The work-study program allows a VA student to earn the Federal or state minimum wage (whichever is higher) for up to 1,300 hours per year (25 hours per week). VA work study students may be utilized only for "VA related work".

• Must you maintain satisfactory attendance, conduct, and progress?

Once you start receiving benefits, you must maintain satisfactory attendance, conduct, and progress, If you do not meet the standards set by Tallahassee Community college, the certifying official must notify VA. VA will stop your benefits if the school reports unsatisfactory attendance, conduct, or progress.

• What happens if you change your enrollment?

If you withdraw from one or more of your courses after the end of TCC drop period, VA will reduce or stop your benefits on the date of reduction or withdrawal.

If you withdraw from a course after the end of the drop period, you may have to repay all benefits for the course unless you can show that the change was due to mitigating circumstances. VA defines "mitigating circumstances" as unavoidable and unexpected events that directly interfere with your pursuit of a course that are beyond your control.

Special Note: TCC offers sessions referred to as "accelerated sessions" by the DVA. This means the DVA will accelerate pay status in proportion to the rate of the accelerated sessions. For this reason,you should check with the TCC Veterans Affairs Office to be sure of the actual rate of acceleration.

• Can you audit a course and get paid for it?

No, The VA will not pay for these courses. Educational benefits are paid only for classes for which you earn credit. Since you do not get credit for audited courses, the VA will not pay for them.

• How do you drop/withdraw from a course and how does it affect your VA educational payments?

If you need to drop or withdraw from a course,you need to complete a form in Enrollment Services Office and obtain the appropriate signatures. There are two types of grades you can get from dropping a course-punitive and non-punitive.

The school will establish the last date to withdraw. If you drop a class, withdraw from all classes, or are dropped by the instructor before that date, you are assigned a non-punitive grade. This means your GPA will not be penalized. however, the DVA treats a non-punitive grade as if you never attended that class. If the drop changes your attendance status, the DVA will require repayment of any amount you have received for attendance in that class unless you have mitigating circumstances. If you feel you have valid reason for dropping the class or withdrawing from all classes, you can write to the DVA and ask that you be allowed to maintain your prevailing rate of pay up to the last date of attendance in the course(s). The new rate of pay would be effective the day after your last date of attendance. If you claim mitigating circumstances, the DVA will require in-depth statements and supportive documents before allowing payment for a course from which dripped or were dropped by the instructor.

If you drop a course, withdraw from all courses, or are dropped by an instructor after the last date to withdraw you may be assigned a punitive grade. This grade will be figured into your grade point average as an "F". The DVA will, in this case, allow payment at the prevailing rate of pay up to the last date of attendance as reported by the instructor. The new rate of pay will begin the day after the last date of attendance.

• How do you receive monthly payments?

After selecting a program at TCC, and submitting your application for educational benefits,the VA Specialist will submit an enrollment certification form to VA upon enrollment.

• What changes should be reported?

All changes made after your initial application or certification are forwarded to the DVA Regional Office and should be brought to the attention of the TCC Veterans Affairs Office so the change can be reported. Failure to report changes is the primary cause for delays in the delivery of your educational checks and occurrences of overpayment. Changes may be reported to the Veterans Affairs Office in person or by telephone.

The most common changes include:

1. Change in status of dependents
2. Change of address
3. Change in major
4. Changes in credit hours
5. Withdrawal from school
6. Anticipated change in place of training

• Can someone on active duty receive both VA education benefit and tuition assistance for the same course?

The only time a person on active duty can receive money from VA and the military for the same course is under the "top-up" provisions. These provisions apply only to persons eligible for Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) chapter 30, benefits, Most service department did not have the budget to begin paying 100% tuition assistance so Congress allowed MGIB eligible individuals to access their MGBI benefits to reach up to 100% tuition reimbursement (top-off their tuition assistance benefit). Thus, if the military provides tuition assistance that equals 50% of the cost of a course a MGIB eligible person may use their MGIB benefits for the 50% this is the only time someone on active duty can receive money from VA and the military for the same course.

• Can a veteran (not on active duty) that receives tuition assistance from a reserve unit be paid tuition assistance and (Chapter 30) benefits for the same course?

Yes. However, due to the limited amount of money the military has for tuition assistance (TA) benefits, the military may choose not to provide TA to individuals who are in receipt of chapter 30 benefits.

• Can a reservist be paid MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606) and tuition assistance for the same course?

If a reservist is pursuing his/her education at the 1/2 time or more training rate, the law permits payment of both benefits.

• Where to go for help

All forms necessary for application for VA Educational Benefits are available at the Tallahassee Community College Veterans Affairs Office located in the student Union Building, Financial Aid Office. The office is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can reach the office by calling (850) 201-8406.

If you have questions not addressed on this Web Page, please feel free to call the Tallahassee Community College of Veterans affairs at (850) 201-8406.