Veterans Affairs
A Veterans Certifying Official is available to assist veterans and eligible persons who wish to apply for VA educational assistance. The Certifying Official is located in the Registrar's Office.
Students applying for VA benefits must meet admission requirements. Please refer to the admission section of the Halifax Community College catalog.
Once a program has been selected and the veteran has been accepted by the school, the veteran is assisted in completing paperwork in order to be certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to being certified, official transcripts from high school and all postsecondary training attempted must be submitted and evaluated in order that credit for previous training may be granted where appropriate. Veterans cannot receive financial assistance for a course (s) for which they have previously received credit. The veteran cannot be certified until all transcripts from previously attended institutions have been received. These must be provided even if the student does not wish to receive transfer credit.
Veterans are responsible for obtaining High School Equivalency scores from defense agencies (DANTES form); a certified copy of DD 214 (Report of Discharge), and any other relevant military paperwork.
After completing the original application and providing supporting documents, the veteran must be certified by this office. This certification must show complete identifying information, file number, curriculum, previous credit allowed, enrollment period, clock/credit hour breakdown, and additional information as needed.
Veterans who are experiencing academic difficulties in degree/diploma programs are advised to request tutorial assistance, which is provided free of charge. Veterans whose average falls below HCC's standard for satisfactory progress are placed on probation. Veterans who fail to make satisfactory progress are terminated for pay purposes.
This office makes referrals to local and state organizations such as the Employment Security Commission, VA County Service Officer, Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Social Services, and Health Department when possible to accommodate special needs of our veterans.
Satisfactory Progress Policy for Veterans
The Veterans Administration regulations require that veterans must maintain "satisfactory progress" in order to continue receiving their educational benefits. The following is a detailed description of the school's policy concerning "satisfactory progress":
1. All students are required to have a minimum average of 2.0 for graduation.
2. When a veteran fails to maintain satisfactory progress, the veteran will be placed on academic probation for the following semester of enrollment.
3. At the end of a consecutive two-semester probationary period, veterans who do not have the required cumulative grade point average (2.0 or higher), counting all subjects undertaken from the original enrollment, will have their benefits terminated for unsatisfactory progress. Veterans who have their benefits terminated for unsatisfactory progress must raise their average to the minimum required before being recertified for educational benefits.
What Affects VA Benefits Eligibility
It is the responsibility of the veteran to advise the VA Certifying Official regarding program and enrollment changes. Other factors that may create a loss of reduction of benefits are:
• Dropping courses;
• Taking courses not approved as a part of a regular program of study;
• Taking courses previously passed (including by proficiency examination);
• Taking courses for which they have previously been awarded transfer credit;
• Irregular attendance; and
• Being placed on academic probation.
Veterans Administration Educational Benefits
1. Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB, also known as Chapter 30) provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
2. Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR - also known as Chapter 1606). The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
3. Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP also known as Chapter 32). VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between Jan. 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985, and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the government. This benefit may be used for degree or certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
4. Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Programs (DEA also known as Chapter 35). DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
5. Chapter 34/30 (Old GI Bill) provides assistance for veterans who have been on active duty since before 1/1/77. (See chapter 30 above).
6. Chapter 31 (VA/VOC Rehab.) provides assistance for veterans with a minimum 10 percent service connected disability. See the county veterans' service office to apply; then, follow up with HCC's registrar/director of veterans' affairs.
7. Chapter 1607 (REAP) - H.R. 4200 authorizing the creation of a new education benefit was signed into law on Oct. 28, 2004. The new benefit also known as (Chapter 1607) makes certain individuals who were activated after Sept. 11, 2001, either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. The Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and VA are working on an implementation plan for this new benefit and at this time, we are unable to provide more than general information about chapter 1607. See HCC's registrar/director of veteran's affairs for more information.
8. Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill: If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA administered program.
Distance Learning Policy:
Remedial/developmental courses offered through distance learning are not eligible for payment through the Veterans Administration.