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Veteran's Educational Benefits - Frequently Asked Questions
The purpose of this page is to assist eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents to utilize their veterans’ educational benefits at West Central Technical College.
Veterans Affairs(VA) benefits are available to those students who qualify for Veterans’ Educational benefits as either qualified veterans, dependents of deceased or disabled veterans, or current members on active duty or in a Reserve/Guard status. The veterans program is commonly called the G.I. Bill. Applicants should contact the Veterans’ Affairs Office or their local or regional Veterans Administration office to obtain additional information.
If you are applying for veterans benefits for the first time you must complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits. For prompt and secure processing, we recommend completing this form and sending it through the Internet at www.gibill.va.gov. You must also complete a WCTC VA Student Information Form and provide a copy of your DD Form 214 to the Veterans’ Certifying Official. Upon completion of the appropriate
form(s) and verification that your quarter courses are part of your program of study, information will be submitted to the VA. Please submit your information prior to the start of the quarter or you may encounter a delay of your allotments. The certification process may take approximately 30 to 90 days.
If you are applying for benefits as a reservist, you must complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits and submit a copy of your DD-2384 (NOBE); your commanding officer will have access to this form Application for VA Education Benefits.
If you are applying for benefits as an eligible dependent or spouse you must complete VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance. You must know the eligible veteran's VA file number.
If you have previously applied for educational benefits at any other institution, you must submit a copy of your VA Form 22-0557 (Certificate of Eligibility) along with a change of program or place of training Form 22-5495 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance) or Form 22-1995 (Request For Change of Program or Place of Training).
It is your responsibility to notify us of any withdrawal, change of programs or call to active duty. Failure to do so will result in an overpayment in which you will be responsible for and/or you not receiving certification. It is in your best interest to submit a statement of mitigating circumstances when you withdraw.
We will not submit certification for classes that you have previously passed, audited, or classes that you have received transfer credits or classes not required for your program.
The Department of Veteran Affairs has regulations regarding satisfactory academic progress and course enrollments. Read the school's policy concerning academic probation/suspension. VA follows the same policy.
If you have any questions regarding processing of payments please contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the WCTC Veterans’ Certifying Official?
VA Certifying Official’s office is located in the Student Affairs Division at the Murphy Campus in Waco.
Do I need to be enrolled in an approved program of study?
Yes. VA benefits will not be paid to students enrolled as “Special Status” or “Institutional Admit”.
What happens If I change my program of study?
Changing your program of study will cause your payments to be delayed. You must submit a form 1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training) to the Veterans’ Affairs Office, in addition to the form you submit to the Admissions Office. These forms are available at WCTC Student Affairs the CTC financial aid office. Your enrollment cannot be certified until you submit this form or VA Form 22-5495 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance)
What do I do if I am a First-time user of VA educational benefits?
Go online to http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22_1990.pdf (and submit VA form 1990 (Application for Educational Benefits) to the VA. The application is forwarded to VA – it takes approximately seven to eight weeks to process. You will receive a Certificate of Eligibility from VA. Once the Certificate of Eligibility form is received, you can expect your first payment in approximately 4-6 weeks (assuming you are enrolled in school). As soon as you are accepted by WCTC, visit the Veterans’ Affairs office to meet the VA Certifying Official and to complete required documents.
What happens if I have previously used my VA education benefits?
Go to http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/22-1995.pdf and Submit VA Form 1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training) or VA Form 22-5495 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance) to the Veterans Affairs Office. The form is forwarded to VA – it takes approximately six weeks to process. You will receive an updated Certificate of Eligibility from VA. Once this form is received, you can expect your first payment in approximately 4-6 weeks (assuming you are enrolled in school).
What happens if I am a new West Central Tech student?
Your enrollment will be certified after the drop/add period of your first quarter of enrollment. Please allow at least four weeks for VA to “put you in their system”. Do not panic. Your enrollment certification is not immediately visible to a VA customer service rep. Your information is not visible to the rep until it has been completely processed by VA.
What happens if I am a returning West Central Tech student?
Your enrollment must be periodically updated. If you make schedule changes, program changes, etc., there will be a delay in the processing of your paperwork. If your prior enrollment certification has expired, and the certifying official is required to send a new certification, there will be a slight delay in the processing of your paperwork. This is the time period when VA “doesn’t show you in their system.” Do not panic. These changes and updates are not immediately visible to a VA customer service rep. Your information is not visible to the rep until it has been completely processed by VA.
What happens if I have additional questions?
If you have questions or concerns, you may contact VA at 1-888-GI BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), obtain information from the VA website at http://www.gibill.va.gov, or contact the WCTC Veterans’ Certifying Official at eelefant@westcentraltech.edu.
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