Veterans Information
Students who are using their VA education benefits for the first time must activate their benefits with the VA. For quickest processing, it is recommended that veterans and/ordependents apply using the VONAPP Web site at www.gibill.va.gov. Hard copies of VA education benefit applications may also be downloaded from this Web site. Note:According to the VA regional processing office, the processing of the hard copy application will delay the receipt of benefits by approximately 2-3 months.We strongly suggest utilization of the online application form. Computers are available for use in the Enrollment Services Center on each campus. Students may also pick up a VA Certification instruction sheet in the Enrollment Services Center. These documents provide detailed step-by-step instructions for application and use of Veteran’s educational benefits.
Note:Allow a minimum of six to eight weeks for the VA application or any paperwork to be processed by the VA regional office from the time the paperwork is submitted by the veteran to the VA regional office.
Each chapter 30 or 1606 (active duty or reserve) veteran must also submit a copy of his/her DD-214 discharge papers to the Records office to have HLP 1081 credits posted to his/her official CF transcript. By agreement between CF and the Veteran’s Administration, each chapter 30, 31 and 1606 veteran will receive HLP 1081 Personal Wellness credit with a grade of S.
NOTE:Because of this agreement, Chapter 30, 31, 1606 and 1607 students should NOT register for HLP 1081 because it is not covered by the Montgomery GI Bill VA benefits. 4000 Gordon rule words will not be credited to HLP 1081 hours with a grade of S.
Chapter 35 (spouse/dependent) students are eligible to enroll in HLP 1081 at CF and this course is approved only for use by Chapter 35 VA benefit recipients.
Students who have previously used their benefits at another institution must file a VA Change of Program or Place of Training form prior to certification. These may be obtained in the Enrollment Services Center and should be returned to the Enrollment Services Center prior to enrollment certification.
After submission of the VA benefit application, it generally takes 60–90 days processing time by theVA regional office before a benefit check is received.
Important: Completion of the enrollment certification process requires approval of courses by a counselor or advisor. Veterans and/or dependents will not be certified without a counseling appointment to approve their schedule each term.
Deferments
In accordance with Florida law and college policy, any eligible veteran or dependent wishing to pursue an approved program within the parameters of Chapter 30, 35, 1606, and 1607 will have upon request, 60 days after the first day of classes to pay registration fees. During summer terms, the deadline for payment of VA deferred fees will be 10 days before the last day of scheduled classes. Only ONE fee deferment per academic year is allowed. VA students are responsible for payment of all deferred fees by the due date regardless of whether or not they have received benefits from the VA.
If the deferred fees are not paid for in full by the due date, the VA student will forfeit eligibility to receive a VA deferment for any future term enrollment at CF.
Under Public Law 94.502, veterans cannot be certified to the VA by CF in any program in which Chapter 30 and Chapter 35 VA recipients comprise more than 85 percent of the enrollment in the program. Chapter 35 VA students are included in the 85:15 percent ratio computation; however, they can be certified to the VA in any approved program, regardless of the percentage of veterans in that program.
Standards of Progress
The concept of unsatisfactory progress includes those VA students not progressing at a rate that will permit graduation within the approved length of the course, based on the time paid for by the VA. This provision may be waived if there is a VA finding of mitigating or extenuating circumstances. Studentsplaced on VA probation for unsatisfactory progress will be so notified, in writing, by the college Veterans Affairs office. If, after one term or its equivalent, the student fails to achieve satisfactory progress, VA education benefits will be terminated. The college notifies both the student and the VA regional office in Atlanta when this occurs. Once a VA student is dismissed for unsatisfactory progress, he or she cannot receive further educational benefits fromthe VA until approved by the school and VA.
Grades
The VA prohibits payment of educational benefits for a course in which a student receives a non-punitive grade (“W,” “I,” “N” or “X”), and these grades cannot be used in computing graduation requirements. This includes any course from which the student withdraws, unless there is aVA finding of mitigating circumstances that caused the withdrawal. Mitigating circumstances can be considered if the student can demonstrate good faith in pursuit of the course up to the point of withdrawal or completion and if the student submits evidence that he or she applied for tutorial aid and consulted a counselor in an attempt to remedy the unsatisfactory work before withdrawal or completion.
Only classes that apply to the degree or program will be certified to the VA. Minimum training time requirements for veterans are listed below:
Training Time Requirements
| Full time | 12 or more credit hours |
| 3/4 time | From 9 to 11 credit hours |
| 1/2 time | From 6 to 8 credit hours |
| Less than half time | From 1 to 5 credit hours |
| Each term (A, B, C) within the summer semester is treated separately for payment purposes. Example: | ||||
| Term A Only | Term B Only | Term C Only | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 4 | 4 | 8+ | credit hours |
| 3/4 time | 3 | 3 | 6-7 | credit hours |
| 1/2 time | 2 | 2 | 4-5 | credit hours |
| See VA representative for less than half time or other enrollment variations. | ||||
Reminder: Any enrollment break of 30 or more days could result in an
interruption of benefits.
Unsatisfactory Attendance in Vocational Programs
VA students in vocational programs will be monitored on a monthly basis for attendance. TheVA will be notified of unsatisfactory attendance at the point during a term that a vocational veteran student accumulates three unexcused absences. The veteran student may not be recertified for veteran benefits until 30 days of satisfactory attendance (no more than two unexcused absences in the 30-day period) has elapsed. Any non-college degree veteran student who is terminated from receiving VA educational benefits will be notified in writing by CF.
Note: All VA students are required to present their registration forms (class schedules) to the CF Enrollment Services Center before they can be certified to the VA regional office for educational benefits. These schedules must be signed by acounselor or advisor. It is necessary to schedule an appointment with the Student Advising Department, in advance, for this process tobe completed.
