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Supplemental Education Benefits

Students receiving VA educational assistance may also qualify or participate in are VA tutorial assistance, VA tuition deferment and the VA work-study program.

Tutorial Assistance

Chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, and 1606

Tutorial assistance may be paid to students under Chapters 30, 33, 35 and 1606. Tutorial assistance is not authorized for Chapter 1607 at this time. Tutorial assistance helps the student pay for necessary tutoring and is a supplement to the student's regular education benefit.

Overview

VA may pay tutorial assistance to a student receiving education benefits.The monthly rate may not exceed the cost of tutoring or $100. The maximum amount payable is $1,200. There is no entitlement charge for the first $600 under Chapter 30 and 1606. There is no entitlement charge under Chapter 33 or 35.

The student, tutor, and certifying official must complete an Application and Enrollment Certification for Individualized Tutorial Assistance (VA Form 22-1990t). The application may be submitted at the end of each month or combination of months. The application must be signed and dated on or after the date of the last tutoring session certified. VA can pay for tutorial assistance during the one-year period before the date VA receives the application.

Eligibility

All of the following criterion must be met for a student to be eligible for tutorial assistance.

  • The student must be in a post-secondary program 1/2-time or more. For Chapter 33, rate of pursuit must be "at least 50%."
  • The student must have a deficiency in a course that is part of his or her approved program.
  • The student must be enrolled in the course during the quarter, semester, or term in which the tutoring is received for the course. Tutoring may not occur between quarters or semesters.

VA Tuition Deferment

State regulations for community colleges chapter 6A14(12), entitles veterans that are eligible for VA benefits to receive a deferment once every academic year. You can apply for that deferment through FSCJ’s online registration system at myFSCJ (student portal). Once you are logged into your student account, choose the payment option button displayed on the main menu. There is no interest or administrative fee charged for veterans if you have not received a deferment within the current academic year. Your registration will be covered within one business day.

NOTE: Failure to repay deferments will result in being disenrolled from all classes associated with indicated term.  VA will be notified of disenrollment and you will be obligated to return all funds.

Work-Study

The DVA work-study program permits eligible veterans who are enrolled at least 3/4 times to perform specific services in return for a monetary allowance equal to the prevailing federal minimum wage. DVA work-study payments are not taxable. Eligible veterans may contract for a minimum of 25 hours per week and total of 1,300 hours per fiscal year.

Certification of Enrollment Process

To initiate the certification of enrollment to VA for processing, students must request to be certified by following the process below.

  • Review your program of study degree audit to make sure the classes you have registered for are required for your program of study on file. NOTE: Taking classes to fulfill a full-time schedule to get benefits will not be certified. You will be billed for classes not required for your program of study. (Exception: Only in your last term to graduate, VA will allow certification of classes not required in designated program of study.) If applicable, submit the appropriate documentation from department managers of courses needed that are approved to fulfill your degree requirements.
  • Pay any previous debt or balance due. You are responsible for paying any cost not covered by VA. VA will not pay out-of-state cost; only in-state cost. VA will not pay for online remedial classes. Hybrid classes are not considered online. Also, VA will not pay your percentage of tuition if your eligibility rate is less than 100% (Chapter 33 only). All other VA chapters must pay tuition cost either out-of-pocket or utilize a VA deferment or use other financial aid awards or payment vouchers. Once your balance is paid, select the link to "certify these classes."
  • Once FSCJ processes your enrollment, you can confirm your certification by checking Connections via the financial aid link. Select the VA Certification History link to review what was certified. If "Y" is indicated next to a course that means that course was certified to VA. If a "N" is indicated next to a course, that means that course was not certified to VA and you will be responsible for payment.

Career Certificate

Students who are enrolled in a career certificate program and class schedules indicate a blank space next to Session will not be able to see a certification date. Contact (904) 632-3157 to verify certification date.

NOTE: After selecting the "certify these classes" link, understand that certifications are not processed immediately. A report will identify those students who have selected the link requesting to be certified. Automatic certification after the drop deadline will be submitted for those who did not complete this process.

NOTE: The VA certification process is a detailed process. Changing the class schedule may create an overpayment. It may take up to 30 days to update changes and/or adjustments to your certification. Should VA send funds to the student based on previous enrollment submitted, understand recalculation of changed enrollment may generate an overpayment. FSCJ is not liable for any financial disbursements received directly from VA.

Contact VA concerning overpayment issues. (1-888-442-4551, press 1, then zero to speak to an operator)

  • Chapter 33 students, understand that you must be in a pursuit of training of 51% or greater to receive books and housing stipends. Be mindful of the start and end dates of terms enrolled. Once a term ends and your remaining enrollment is less than 51% in pursuit of training, you will not be eligible for either stipend

The Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO) can take from six to 10 weeks to process enrollment claims. Once entitlement is established, the VARO will send the veteran or dependent an award letter. This letter outlines the amount of money to be received and the entitlement that was reported by the school. Payments are direct deposited to your banking account or mailed monthly to the address on record with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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