What classes will the VA pay for?
The VA will only pay for classes that are REQUIRED for your degree (not recommended). This includes: general education requirements, major requirements, pre-requisites and classes needed to meet the 120 credits required to graduate. To find out if a class is required, you should check your degree audit report on Degree Audit.
Failing a Class
You can fail a class and the VA will not create a debt against you and will pay for you to retake the class as long as you attended the course through the end of the semester. The VA considers a failing grade to be any grade in which you did not meet the minimum grade to “pass” the course. For example, some courses require a C+ or better to receive credit, if you receive a C, you did not pass and therefore the VA will pay for you to retake the course.
Taking an Incomplete
The VA will allow students to complete the remaining coursework within one year. If the Incomplete grade is not replaced by an earned grade within one year, the student’s Incomplete grade will be reported as a non-punitive grade to the VA. The VA will mail out a debt letter to the student.
Retaking a Course
If you failed a required course or did not receive the minimum grade considered “passing” (for example, you received a C- in the course but need a C or better to actually receive credit), the VA will pay for you to repeat the course. They will not pay for repeated courses in order to boost GPA or to get a better grade (if you previously passed the course). The VA will not cover any repeat course fees if you are charged one.
NOTE: You need to be aware that repeat courses can result in over-payments from VA. If you repeat the course more than one time, and the VA pays for it each time you retake it, the VA may create a debt against you and make you repay the money from the first time you took the course. This only happens if you repeat the class more than once. It is in your best interest to make sure you pass the class the first time you repeat it, otherwise the VA may create a debt against you.
Dropping & Withdrawing Classes
If you drop or withdraw from a course after your enrollment certification was submitted to the VA, you may be required to pay money back to the VA.
Attending Classes
It is important to understand that the VA pays you for being in class, not just registering for the course(s). If you register for a class but never attend or stop attending at any point during the semester, you may receive a grade that is considered an unofficial withdraw and a debt will be created against you by the VA. Even if you are failing the course, it is best to either withdraw or continue attending the class and fail if you do not want to pay money back to VA. The VA will allow you to fail a course without having to pay money back, as long as you attended the entire semester.
What is considered full time for GI Bill?
For Undergraduates: Fall and Spring = 12 credits
For Graduates: Fall and Spring = 9 credits*
Online Courses and BAH/MHA:
If you enroll in only online courses for a semester, the VA will only pay you 50% of the national average of BAH/MHA, even if you are full-time. If at least ONE of your classes is an on-campus class (meaning a class you go to or hybrid), then you will receive the amount of BAH/MHA you’d normally get. You can take online courses, but if you want to receive normal BAH/MHA, at least one class has to be in-person or hybrid.
Tuition and Fees:
The VA will pay your tuition directly to the school only for classes that are approved (meaning required for your degree). The VA has never paid tuition by the tuition deadline, but you do not need to worry about the tuition deadline. As long as you make sure you have filled out a Request For Certification for the semester, you will be placed on a list that to prevent VA Education Beneficiary students from being dropped or charged late fees.
**Chapter 35 does not receive tuition and fee payments and will only receive a monthly stipend sent directly to the student’s direct deposit from the VA.
***Chapter 30, 33, 1606, 1607: Verify your enrollment each month to get paid!
If you do not, the VA will not pay you. To do so, you can call: 1-877-823-2378
How long does it take to get paid from the VA?
It can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks after your enrollment certification has been submitted to the VA. It is in your best interest to take care of everything as soon as possible if you are reliant on money from the VA.
How do I Transfer My Benefits?
VA Resource: https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/
In order to transfer your Post 9/11 benefits to a dependent (child/spouse) you must meet the following requirements:
- Have completed 6 years of services on the date your request is approved
- You agree to add 4 additional years of service
- The person receiving benefits is listed in DEERS
When can they start to use transferred benefits?
- Spouse can use transferred benefits immediately
- Children can use transferred benefits only AFTER you’ve finished at least 10 years of service