Veteran Services

• Federal and state benefit programs for veterans and eligible dependents are coordinated through the Veteran Services Office, Room 109A, in the Henderson Community College's Arts & Sciences Building. Eligibility for veterans' educational benefits is determined by the Veterans Administration Office, P.O. Box 66830, St. Louis, MO 63166-6830 (1-888-442-4551).
  Contact person is: Gail Bushrod.
  

• Dependents and spouses of Kentucky Disabled War Veterans may be eligible for a waiver of tuition through the provision of KRS 164:505-515 in any state supported institution of higher education. Eligibility for the waiver of tuition may be determined by making application to the Department of Military Affairs, 545 South Third Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

For questions concerning the GI Bill contact this link http://www.gibill.va.gov/

How many hours are needed to be a full-time student?

A total of twelve (12) semester hours during the fall or spring semesters is considered full-time. A total of six (6) credit hours is considered 1/2 time. VA accepts six (6) credit hours as full-time during the summer semester.

Note: If you are enrolled in a bi-term class this will effect your payment schedule. Please contact VA Coordinator concerning this matter.

What is the minimum GPA required to continue to receive educational benefits?

The VA accepts the Standards of:

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies of each individual school and adjusts its GPA requirement accordingly. The VA will pay educational benefits to the eligible veteran as long as the student is in good academic standing.

Do I have to be degree seeking?

Veterans must be degree seeking and in an approved training program. Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 21.4130(2)(ii) prohibits the payment of VA education benefits for training in any course if the training is not part of the student's approved program of education. VA education benefits may only be paid for pursuit of subjects or training activities that fulfill minimum program requirements.

VA will not pay for:

• Audited classes
• Repeated classes in which the veteran has received a passing grade
• Unattended classes (after 3 consecutive absences)

If I withdraw, do I have to pay back any money?

Any withdrawal will result in an overpayment that will be owed to VA. The VA policy is to go back to the beginning of the semester and make the withdrawal retroactive from that date. VA calculates how much has been paid from that date to decide the overpayment amount. This procedure is used whenever a veteran receiving education benefits initiates a complete withdrawal and/or withdraws from individual classes changing the certifying credit hours status (full-time, three-quarters time, half-time).

It is the veteran's responsibility to report changes in his/her enrollment to the certifying official and to the VA in a timely manner to limit the overpayment amount.

After enrollment, how long does it normally take to receive the first paycheck?

Four-six weeks after the enrollment certification form is mailed to the VA Regional Office, the first paycheck is mailed. Henderson Community College's VA certifying official does not mail the enrollment certifications until after the last day to enter a class.

Certifying Requirements

Before any veteran can be certified for education benefits, he/she must:

1. Submit the Application for Education Benefits to the VA Regional Office, with a copy of his/her DD214, member 4 discharge paper. The application is available in the office of the certifying official.
2. Apply to HCC and register for classes.
3. Submit transcripts from previous college work, mailed from the previous college or university to HCC's Registrar's Office.

An official military transcript must be mailed to the Admissions & Records Office before military experience for college credits can be evaluated.

Change of Program:

The VA Office must approve all changes of programs. The Request For Change Of Program Form, 22-1995, is available in the office of the certifying official, Gail Bushrod, Academic Bldg., Room 216, Henderson Community College, 2660 S. Green St., Henderson, KY 42420, (270) 831-9672

2/05/08

Veterans Internet Links:

Department Of Defense

VA forms

New Rates for Montgomery G.I. Bill and Survivors' and Dependents Educational Assistance Programs

If you are seeking the location of your service academic transcripts and/or have need to have your military training configured into a transcript format, please contact the following agency:

The Center for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials
American Council on Education
One Dupont Circle
Washington, DC 20036-1193
ATTN: Military Evaluations Program

Telephone: (202) 939-9470

FAX (202) 775-8578

NOTE: When making your request for your military training to be configured into a transcript format, follow the process below:

1. Send in a photocopy of your DD214, copy 4 (has your discharge status) and photocopies of your course completion certificates.
2. Specify to whom you want this information sent.you or the college. If you want a copy sent to you and the college, ask that a carbon copy be sent to you.