when can a va student schedule non required course

by Sammie Borer DVM 3 min read

Veterans nearing the end of their degree coursework will typically add some non-essential courses to make sure they keep their full-time status and maintain their full benefits payouts. VA officials under the previous administration moved to end that practice, to ensure veterans were not gaming the system to get more money.

Full Answer

When do converted courses continue to be reported to VA?

Note: If the student returns during the March 1, 2020 to June 1, 2022 timeframe, the school may continue to report converted courses to VA in accordance with guidance provided in the FAQs. Q24) What does the SCO do when an NCD training institution temporarily or permanently ceases operations due to COVID-19?

How to use R/D credit hours on VA Form 22-1999 enrollment certification?

● SCO must continue to use the R/D Credit hours section of VA-ONCE or on the VA Form 22-1999 Enrollment Certification. ● When using VA-ONCE, SCO must enter Standard Remark “COVID-19 Residence Courses Taken Online” Or write it on the paper form.

Can SCOS certify resident credit hours to VA for online courses?

Only converted courses – SCOs cannot certify resident credit hours to VA for online courses when there is no approval for a resident training counterpart. The new law applies equally to current and new students enrolled in the converted courses.

How many hours is considered full time training for VA?

Less than six hours as reimbursable at a rate not to exceed the tuition and fees charged for the course or courses For graduate-level training, the training time is determined by the college. For example, if a two- hour class is considered full time in a graduate program at your school, VA will pay you the full-time rate.

What does the VA consider full time student?

VA considers the following when calculating Rate of Pursuit (ROP) in the benefit estimation: Full time students are taking 12 credits per term. 3/4 time students are taking 9 credits per term; the calculator uses .

Is the VA still paying full BAH for online classes?

VA will continue to pay benefits for an NCD which converts an approved residence training course to online training (distance learning) due to the COVID-19 emergency (when the conversion is the only change). The law authorizes this special authority from March 1, 2020, to June 1, 2022.

What is a Chapter 33 veteran?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill®, also known as Chapter 33, provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or for individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

What does the VA consider a semester?

Undergraduates measured by VA, usually at 12 semester or quarter hours = full time. Graduate students are measured by VA based upon the training time certified by the school. You should NEVER fill in the training time item on the Enrollment Certification for undergraduate students. Standard Semester = 15 - 18 weeks.

How many classes is full-time for GI Bill online?

Course Load and Student Status for VA BenefitsSession of CoursesMonthly Course LoadStudent StatusUndergraduate: 8-Week Courses2 Credit hoursLess than Half-timeUndergraduate: 16-Week Courses12+ Credit hoursFull-time9 Credit hoursThree-quarter time6 Credit hoursHalf-time14 more rows

How do I get full BAH for GI Bill?

To qualify for the full benefit a veteran must have served at least 3 years of active duty after September 10, 2001. Those who qualify for the Active Duty GI Bill, the Reserve GI Bill or REAP will have the option to choose which benefit best suits their need.

What is Chapter 31 in the VA?

Benefits. Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) provides assistance to veterans who have a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and are in need of vocational rehabilitation. Vocational rehab covers a student's tuition and fees, books, school supplies and also pays a monthly housing allowance.

What is the difference between Chapter 31 and 33?

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment®: veterans who have at least a 10% disability rating are eligible to apply; however, approval is not guaranteed; up to 48 months of entitlement possible. Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®: active duty and veterans may be eligible for up to 36 months of benefit.

What is a VA Chapter 35?

VA's Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors of certain Veterans.

Does VA pay for summer classes?

You are paid BAH for summer courses based on your rate of pursuit and whether the course meets online or in person. If courses overlap, you will be paid for the combined enrollment during that time.

What is considered full time for Chapter 35?

For full MAH, you must be full time from the beginning to the end of each semester. (At least 12 credit hours for Spring and Fall; 7 credit hours for Summer).

Do hybrid classes count for GI Bill?

Starting Aug. 15, hybrid courses will be considered residence training for GI Bill purposes, triggering the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) to be paid accordingly.

How many hours can a VA student work?

VA can continue to pay students the VA Work Study allowance at the full-rate of 25 hours per week even if the student is unable to work those hours due to the COVID-19 emergency. Initially, this protection was only available for students who were already participating in a work-study program on March 1, 2020.

When will VA work study students receive protection?

Effective October 1, 2020, new VA Work Study students can receive similar COVID-19 protection. Facilities must be able to offer work to students in good faith knowing that the facility will remain in working capacity to allow the VA Work Study student to fulfil their hours.

How long will the MHA last?

Students enrolled in programs suspended due to the COVID-19 emergency will continue to receive their MHA at the same rate payable before the change of enrollment, for up to a total of four weeks, during the March 1, 2020 to December 21, 2021 period.

When will IHL certify to VA?

An approved IHL which converts an approved resident Remedial/Deficiency course to online training for that course, may continue to certify these credit hours to VA as resident credit hours during the authorized period: March 1, 2020 through December 21, 2021.

What is a converted course?

A "converted course" is defined when a school previously offered as resident (in-person) training prior to March 1, 2020, but is now offered as online training due to COVID-19. To qualify as a converted course, the course must be part of a program already approved by the State Approving Agency (SAA).

When does IHL change to online training?

The law authorizes this special authority from March 1, 2020, to December 21, 2021.

When will VA pay for NCD?

The law authorizes this special authority from March 1, 2020, to December 21, 2021.

What is the VA law for 2020?

In the Spring of 2020, the President signed Public Law 116-128, then Public Law 116-140 (Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020).

How to contact VA about CH 31?

If you are receiving CH 1606, CH 33, CH 30 or CH 35 benefits, please contact the VA directly through their Education Benefits hotline for assistance: 1-888-442-4551. If you are receiving CH 31 benefits, please contact your VR&E counselor directly for payment questions or concerns.

How many months of CH 33 will VA pay?

If the student then uses 21 months of CH 33 benefits (leaving only one month of entitlement remaining), and then starts a 4-month standard semester program, VA will pay benefits for the entire 4 months extending benefits by 3 months beyond the student’s actual award.

How many months of CH 1606 benefits are used?

Entitlement to CH 33 benefits is generally limited to 36 months of entitlement. However, application of the 48-month rule limits the award to 22 months of CH 33 benefits. Therefore: 26 months of CH 1606 benefits used.

How many credit hours do you need to complete a STEM degree?

Your current STEM undergraduate degree program requires at least 120 semester (or 180 quarter) credit hours for completion. You have completed at least 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credit hours toward your degree. You have or will soon (within 180 days of application) exhaust your Post-9/11 GI Bill® entitlement.

What happens if a student stops attending a class?

If a student stops attending a class they must drop officially with the college and report the drop to the Veterans Coordinator. This is a student responsibility—not ours. Federal law requires that students report any change in enrollment status, which might affect their VA education benefits to the school and the VA.

When does financial aid apply to tuition?

Your financial aid money is applied to your tuition balance automatically on the first day of the term (this includes grants, student loans, scholarships, etc.). The Veterans Coordinator typically reports tuition to the VA after the tenth day of classes at the start of each term.

How many hours are considered full time for college?

For example, for most undergraduate degrees, a college considers: 12 or more hours full time. Between 9 and 11 hours three-quarter time. Between 6 and 8 hours half time.

Can you take more than one class under the GI Bill?

You can take classes at more than one school under the GI Bill as long as: Note: The GI Bill won’t pay you to take the same class twice unless you get a failing grade in a class that the school requires for graduation.

How many units of credit do you need to graduate from 9th grade?

To graduate with a Standard Diploma for students who entered the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 through 2017-2018, a student must earn at least 22 standard units of credit and six verified units of credit. Students earn standard credits by successfully completing required and elective courses.

When will the Board of Education revise the verification criteria?

Revised Emergency Guidelines for Locally-Awarded Verified Credits. On January 28, 2021, the Board of Education revised eligibility criteria and processes for the administration of locally-awarded verified credit due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Please see the Board of Education's Emergency Guidelines for Locally-Awarded Verified Credits.

What is the 8VAC20-131-110?

A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career and technical education, economics or other areas as prescribed by the board in 8VAC20-131-110. Career and Technical Education Credential.

What are the requirements for a scholastic degree?

1. Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two different course selections from among: algebra I , geometry, algebra functions, and data analysis, algebra II, or other mathematics courses approved by the board to satisfy this requirement.

How many credits can you carry on your academic probation?

In the event of illness or unusual personal circumstances students may adjust their schedule to carry fewer than 12 credits. However, students will still be put on Academic Probation for "low hours". This request must be approved by the Association Dean via a written Petition form, available in 101 Monroe Hall.

How many credits can you load in 101 Monroe Hall?

Course loads of greater than 17 credits must also be approved by the Association Dean using the Credit Hour Overload form, also found in 101 Monroe Hall. Students found to be enrolled in more than 17 credits without the permission of the Dean will be removed from the last class (es) added.

How many credits do you need to get into I ntermediate honors?

Eligibility for Honors. In order to be a candidate for I ntermediate Honors, a student must earn 60 credits prior to the fifth semester. No more than 12 of the 60 required credits may be earned on a CR/NC basis.

How many credits are required for a CR/NC?

No more than 24 of the 120 credits required for the degree may be earned on a CR/NC basis; transfer students are subject to different rules; click here for more information.

How many credits do you need to be on probation?

Students are expected to remain in Good Academic Standing. Failure to carry the minimum of 12 credits for any reason, including illness or other personal circumstances (see below), will result in an Academic Probation.

When is conditional admission allowed in VA?

Conditional admittance is allowed if a student's immunizations are incomplete and she submits a schedule for completion within 90 calendar days. The state health commissioner has the authority to exclude children from school who are not immunized in the event of an outbreak, potential epidemic, or epidemic. Va.

What is mandatory school attendance in Virginia?

Virginia's compulsory attendance laws require children to attend school — public, private, denomination or parochial — during the period of each year the public schools are in session and for the same number of days and hours per day as the public schools.

When can a parent home instruct in Virginia?

A parent who elects to home instruct must 1) notify the school division superintendent no later than August 15 of the intent to do so for the coming school year; 2) provide a list of subjects to be studied for the coming year; and 3) provide evidence of having met one of the criteria to permit home instruction. Va. Code §22.1-254.1.

Can special needs students get a scholarship?

Students with special needs are eligible to participate in state tax-credit scholarship program. Those students with a current individualized educational program and whose family's annual household income is not in excess of 400 percent of the current poverty guidelines can be considered. Va.

Do private schools have to take state tests?

Testing. Private school students are not required to participate in state administered tests unless the student is a child with a disability who has been placed by a local school division or is placed for non-educational reasons by a Comprehensive Services Act team that includes the school division.

Can a school district place a child with disabilities in a private school?

Special Education. A school division may publicly place a child with disabilities in a nonsectarian private school approved by the Virginia State Board of Education or another licensing agency if the school division is unable to provide a free appropriate public education for the child. Va.

Is marijuana a crime in Virginia?

It is a criminal offense in Virginia to distribute any controlled substance, imitation controlled substance, or marijuana on the property of a private elementary or secondary school, within 1,000 feet of the school, or on any school bus. Va. Code §18.2-255.2.A.

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School Certifying Officials Covid-19 FAQs

Institutions of Higher Learning

  • Terms that span June 1, 2022
    Students certified in converted courses during terms that span June 1, 2022, are only entitled to the higher resident MHA through the end of the term or through June 30, 2022, whichever occurs first. If a term that spans June 1, 2022, has not yet been certified and the certification will includ…
  • **Please read each scenario carefully first to determine the correct procedure.**
    A. If the student is attending all Resident courses, all Online courses or a mix of Resident and Online courses, the SCO must adjust the certification: (Follow instructions in B or C if the enrollment includes any Remedial/Deficiency or clock hours) 1. Report the actual type of hours t…
See more on benefits.va.gov

Non-College Degree (NCD) Schools

  • UPDATE: Enrollments that span June 1, 2022
    Many Non-College Degree (NCD) programs and non-accredited degree programs are normally not approved for online training. These programs are only currently approved for online training because of the COVID-19 legislation that is set to end on June 1, 2022. If your school is normall…
  • Change in Modality
    Q16) What impact do these laws have on NCD schools who have converted resident courses to online due to COVID-19? 1. For courses converted after sending an enrollment certification. 1. VA will continue to pay benefits for an NCD which converts an approved residence training course t…
See more on benefits.va.gov

on The Job Training (Ojt)/Apprenticeship

  • Changes in enrollment
    Q30) Will there be acceptable circumstances, due to the COVID-19 emergency, where an OJT or Apprenticeship training establishment SCO may not meet the thirty-day requirement to report an enrollment change? Late reporting (30 days from reporting event) is always a concern of VA. Dur…
  • Change in Modality
    Q31) Under the new laws, what happens when an OJT or Apprenticeship establishment can convert trainee programs from resident to online training due to COVID-19? The laws allow payment for trainees only if the facility site is capable of converting from on-site to online trainin…
See more on benefits.va.gov