All CF campuses will be closed for Spring Break from March 16 - 20.

Veterans

Certification Process

CF’s Veterans Services want to ensure that our veterans and veterans’ dependents are receiving their appropriate benefits. Below, you’ll find instructions on how to complete the certification process in order to receive payments.

1. Submit a Certificate of Eligibility

Forms can be emailed to veterans@CF.edu or submitted to the Veterans Success Center or the Financial Aid Office in the Bryant Student Union on the Ocala Campus.

  • Students should receive the Certificate of Eligibility in the mail from the VA after completing their online application. Students who have not received a Certificate of Eligibility after 90 days should call the VA directly at 888-442-4551.
  • Transfer students should bring a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility or Chapter 31 approval coorespondence in order to transfer to CF.

2. Register for classes and submit your class schedule to Veterans Services each semester.

  • As a veteran, you are able to register during the 40+ priority registration period. Priority registration dates are posted on the MyCF student portal as well as in the college calendar.
  • CF will report to the VA only those classes that are required for your current program of study. Required courses are indicated on your schedule as “fundable” hours.
  • If you are in your last semester of enrollment before graduation, you may be eligible to take courses that are not “fundable,” however you must notify the VA office that you are graduating.

Once the eligibility form and the schedule have been submitted, Veterans Services will complete the rest of the certification process. If it is your first time using your benefits, it may take up to 90 days before you receive your first payment.

3. Receive Payments

Chapters 30, 33, 35, and 1606 need to verify attendance at the end of each month. Students have several options, please view them below.

  • By Text: The VA will send you a text when you start your program. The VA will ask if you want to verify your enrollment by text. If you respond “yes,” the VA will send you a text every month asking you to verify your enrollment. If you need to update your phone number, or if you don’t want to verify your enrollment by text anymore, call the VA at 888-442-4551. they are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
  • By Email: If you choose not to get text messages or you don’t use texting, the VA will email you instead to verify your enrollment each month. The VA will send a message to the email address the VA has in their records for you. Note: If you’re using the STEM Scholarship, you can’t verify your enrollment by email.
  • Online through Ask VA: You can verify your enrollment through Ask VA. In your message, be sure to include the dates of your enrollment in school or training.
  • By Phone: Call the VA at 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711). They are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.

    • Return of Unearned Tuition Assistance Funds

    In accordance with DoDI 1322.25 requirements, CF will return any unearned tuition assistance (TA) funds on a proportional basis. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based on when a student stops attending. The military service that provided the applicable TA will be refunded in accordance with the schedule that follows for a standard 16-week college semester:

    Proportional Refund of Tuition Assistance Funds by Days Registered

    0 to 7 days: 100 percent

    8 to 28 days: 75 percent

    29 to 56 days: 50 percent

    57 to 112 days: 0 percent

    Minimum Training Time Requirements for Veterans

    Fall and Spring

    Each term (A, B, C) within the fall and spring semesters is treated separately for the purpose of benefit payments from the VA.

    Example:

    Term A Term B Term C
    Only Only Only
    Full time 6 6 12 credit hours
    3/4 time 5 5 9 credit hours
    1/2 time 3 3 6 credit hours

    Summer

    Each term (A, B, C) within the summer semester is treated separately for the purpose of benefit payments from the VA.

    Example:

    Term A Term B Term C
    Only Only Only
    Full time 4 4 9+ credit hours
    3/4 time 3 3 7 credit hours
    1/2 time 2 2 5 credit hours

    Baccalaureate Students

    Each term (A and B) within the summer semester is treated separately for the purpose of benefit payments from the VA.

    Example:

    Term A Term B
    Only Only
    Full time 6 6 credit hours
    3/4 time 4 4 credit hours
    1/2 time 3 3 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.