Eligibility for VA educational benefits is dependent on your attendance at UCR and on your maintaining satisfactory academic progress. It is your responsibility to be aware of the University's Scholarship Regulations, as published in the UCR General Catalog, and to notify
Student Special Services
of any change in your student status which would affect your VA benefits (e.g., dropping a class, no longer attending a class in which you remain enrolled, withdrawing from school, or changing your address or major). In signing your request for certification of enrollment for VA educational benefits, you acknowledge receipt of the following information and you agree to keep
Student Special Services
informed of changes in your student status.
CONTENTS:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits Programs
Degree Requirements
Certification of Enrollment
Award Letters
Monthly checks
Break Pay
Direct Deposit
Chapters 30 and 1606 Monthly Verification of Enrollment
Quarterly course enrollment
Mitigating Circumstances
No Credit ("NC") grades
"F" grades
Incomplete ("I") grades
Repeated courses
Dropping a course
Withdrawing from school
Academic probation
Tutorial assistance
VA Work-Study Program
Additional Benefits for Dependents of Veterans
College Fee Waiver Program
Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)
Financial Aid
Information and assistance
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits Programs
Some VA regulations vary depending on the program under which you receive benefits. We will be referring to the following programs in this Handbook:
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill -- Active Duty
Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill -- Selected Reserve
Chapter 1607 Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
Chapter 32 Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
Degree Requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are meeting the requirements for your degree objective. VA benefits are authorized only for courses which apply as degree requirements, including electives, for the one current degree objective you have reported to the VA. The VA will NOT pay you for classes which are recommended but not required, those required for an academic minor, subject matter preparation programs for prospective teachers, courses for “blended” education programs, nor graduate school prerequisites, UNLESS you can apply the courses toward your degree requirements as necessary electives. In other words, each course for which you receive VA educational benefits must reduce the time needed to complete your degree.
Double majors: In order to receive benefits for a double major, both majors must be officially declared on your University record. If you can complete both majors within the minimum of 180 units required for a bachelor's degree, you needn't bother to report the second major to the VA.
Undeclared majors: If you report your degree objective to the VA as “undeclared,” we may certify only those courses which meet specific breadth requirements. If you are an “undeclared” major, we encourage you to see a counselor in Student Special Services to discuss your options.
Certification of Enrollment
We can certify your enrollment to the VA for a maximum of one academic year at a time. It is your responsibility to request certification for subsequent periods. We recommend that you stop by Student Special Services to complete the certification process for the upcoming year before you leave campus for the summer; if you wish, you may request advance payment for the upcoming fall quarter at that time.
Transfer students: In most cases, we are initially allowed to certify your benefits for three terms only. Once your transfer credit is awarded, we will analyze your record to see how your prior coursework applies to your UCR degree objective; then we may certify your enrollment for additional terms, upon your request.
Award Letters
Award letters are the computer-generated letters you receive from the VA each time we certify you for benefits; they list the award period, your monthly rate, and indicate the number of months of benefits’ entitlement you will have at the end of the period certified. Since Student Special Services doesn't receive a copy of the letter, we strongly recommend that you check your award information for accuracy, and that you save the letter for future reference.
Monthly Checks
Generally, it takes the VA approximately four to ten weeks from the date we certify your enrollment to generate your first check; this period may be longer, depending on VA workload. If you haven't received some word from the VA within one month from the date of certification, we recommend that you let us know; we'll contact them to make sure that your award is proceeding as it should. If you prefer, you may call the VA yourself toll-free at 1-888-GI-BILL-1; be sure to have your file number handy.
The VA generally pays you on or after the first of each month following the month for which payment is due. This system is called "post-payment." Occasionally, educational benefits checks do run a few days later than usual; when this happens, you are welcome to call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 to see when the check was, or will be, mailed; you can also verify the check’s mailing address.
Break pay: Generally, if you are a continuing UCR student receiving benefits every term, enrolled at least half-time, and not on active duty, the VA will automatically authorize payment for the breaks between terms, unless you request otherwise. This means that you may receive payment from the first day of Fall Quarter instruction through the last day of Spring Quarter finals. Break pay for transfer and summer session students is dependent upon several factors including the specific dates of your enrollment and whether you have changed your program; in these cases, we recommend that you talk with a counselor in Student Special Services for specific information.
Direct deposit: Chapters 30, 1606 and 1607 recipients are eligible for direct deposit of educational benefits payments; this can speed delivery of your monthly benefit by several days. You may arrange for direct deposit by mail or by calling the VA at 1-877-838-2778; make sure you have a check or deposit slip for your account handy when you call.
Chapters 30 and 1606 monthly verification of enrollment : Students receiving benefits under Chapters 30 and 1606 must verify their continued enrollment on or after the last day of the month to receive payment for the month's attendance. If there is no change in enrollment, you may call 1-877-823-2378 (toll free, 24/7) to verify by touch-tone phone. You may also verify on the Web at http://www.gibill.va.gov by following the links to "Information for Benefits Recipients" and "Certify Your Attendance" (WAVE-Web Automated Verification of Enrollment); you may use this option whether or not you have changes in enrollment.
Quarterly Course Enrollment
We use UCR’s on-line degree audit system to monitor the coursework of all students whom we certify for VA educational benefits. It is helpful to us, and beneficial to you, if you phone or stop by our office each quarter after you register for classes, so we can be certain that benefits are payable for each of your classes. This is a good way to ensure that your benefits will continue to arrive in a timely manner, and eliminates the need for us to contact you or your department at a later date. Again, it is important to remember that you may receive benefits only for courses which apply to your degree as breadth requirements, major requirements, or necessary electives for the one current degree objective or approved double-major you have reported to the VA.
Mitigating Circumstances
"Mitigating circumstances" is a term used quite often in relation to your VA educational benefits. The VA considers mitigating circumstances to be those situations that are beyond your control, are serious enough to warrant changing your class schedule, and were unforeseen at the beginning of the quarter. The following list is not all-inclusive, but the situations are representative of those which might prevent a student from continuously pursuing his/her program of education:
· An illness or death in the student’s immediate family.
· An illness or injury afflicting the student during the enrollment period.
· An unavoidable change in the student’s conditions of employment.
· An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the student’s employment.
· Immediate family or financial obligations beyond the control of the claimant that require him or her to suspend pursuit of the program of education to obtain employment.
· Discontinuance of the course by the school.
· Unanticipated active military service, including active duty for training.
· Unanticipated difficulties with childcare arrangements the student has made for the period during which he or she is attending classes.
Examples of unacceptable mitigating circumstances include withdrawal to avoid a failing grade, dislike of instructor, and too many courses attempted.
You may be required to submit evidence to support your statement that the event was not anticipated and was beyond your control. For example, if you state that you had to withdraw from school due to an unscheduled change in your employment, you may be required to furnish a letter from your employer. If you fail to provide a statement, or the supporting reasons you give are not accepted as mitigating circumstances, the VA will reduce or terminate your benefits from the start of the term. You will be given the opportunity to provide a statement explaining a change in your enrollment before a final decision is made.
Six-hour credit exclusion: VA automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 units the first time a student reduces or terminates and mitigating circumstances must be considered.
No Credit ("NC") Grades
As neither units nor grade points are assigned for an "NC" grade, the VA must be notified if you receive an "NC," including "incomplete" grades that revert to "NC." Unless you completed 12 additional units of required coursework that quarter or can demonstrate acceptable mitigating circumstances, you will need to repay the benefits you received for that class.
"F" Grades
Your VA benefits will not be affected if you receive an "F" grade, unless you received the "F" due to non-attendance or are placed on academic probation. Please remember that you must notify us if you stop attending a class, even if you don't officially withdraw.
Incomplete ("I") Grades
The University requires that “I” grades be replaced as follows: first, the coursework must be completed; second, a petition obtained from the College or Registrar’s Office must be filed with the Registrar’s Office. The petition must be filed no later than the last business day of the succeeding quarter, whether or not you remain enrolled.
When a course graded “I” has not been successfully completed after one additional quarter, or by the time you are ready to graduate, whichever is earlier, it will be replaced by a grade of “F,” or by “NC” if the course was taken on an “S/NC” basis. The appropriate dean may extend the time for successful completion when s/he considers it warranted, provided the request is received before the “I” grade reverts to “F” or “NC.”
The VA has its own policy on incomplete grades whereby the student is allowed one year to replace the “I” with a grade; however, it must be remembered that this is secondary to the University regulation relating to incompletes. If your “I” grade has not been replaced after one year, the VA may retroactively terminate the benefits you received for that course, unless you submit evidence of acceptable mitigating circumstances.
Repeated Courses
BEFORE you repeat any class for which the University has granted you credit, you should check with our office to see how this will affect your benefits. The VA will not consider toward full-time status those units which repeat courses in which a grade of "D-" or better has been received, unless the University specifically requires a higher grade in that particular course according to standards published in the UCR General Catalog. VA regulations will allow you to receive benefits for repeating a course in which you previously received a grade of "F" or "NC," if the course applies to your degree requirements. Your transcript will flag any coursework which duplicates credit accepted in transfer or repeats previously completed UCR classes; we are required to notify the VA when this occurs.
Dropping a Course
Please notify our office whenever you are thinking about making a change in your courseload, and we will review the repercussions with you. If you drop a class which reduces your percentage of full-time, our office is obligated to notify the VA within 30 days of the date of the drop; if you report the change to us when you make it, you can reduce the chances that future benefits payments will be delayed. If there are mitigating circumstances surrounding the reduction, and the VA accepts them, your benefits could continue at the prior rate through the date you make the reduction. If there are no mitigating circumstances, or if the VA does not approve them, your benefit rate will be reduced retroactively to the first day of the quarter. Mitigating circumstances will be considered to exist without explanation by the student in the first instance of withdrawal from a course or courses totaling not more than six quarter units.
Withdrawing from School
If you withdraw during the quarter, the VA will cancel your benefits retroactively to the end of the preceding quarter. They will make an exception to this rule if you have acceptable mitigating circumstances; in this case, your benefits will be terminated as of the last day of attendance. Contact Student Special Services before you withdraw so we can assist you in submitting your Statement in Support of Claim, if required.
Academic Probation
Undergraduate students are placed on academic probation when their quarterly or cumulative grade-point average, computed on the total of all courses taken at the University, is less than 2.0 ("C" average). Graduate students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 ("B" average). Student Special Services is required to notify the VA if a student is on probation or subject to dismissal for two consecutive quarters. Students who are allowed by the University to continue their attendance, and who remain in the same program, may be recertified for benefits immediately. Those who change programs may file a request for resumption of benefits with our office.
Tutorial Assistance
Be sure to take advantage of the services provided by the Learning Center, even if you aren't having difficulty with your courses. Located in the Surge Building (west of the Bookstore), the Center offers tutoring and a variety of classes, workshops, seminars, and individualized programs in reading, mathematics, study skills, and test taking. Stop by the Center, visit their website at www.learningcenter.ucr.edu, or call them at (951) 827-3721, to see how they can be of help to you.
If the tutorial services offered by the Learning Center don't meet your needs, additional tutorial services may be available to you through the VA. Tutorial assistance may be paid to eligible students training under Chapters 30, 32, 35, and 1606. Veterans receiving Chapter 31 benefits may also qualify.
The VA Tutorial Assistance allowance is a supplement to your monthly educational benefits check, and is paid to reimburse you for the reasonable charges by a tutor not to exceed $100 per month, with a maximum of $1,200. Under Chapter 35 there is no charge to your VA entitlement. Under Chapters 30, 32, and 1606 there is no charge to your entitlement until $600 in tutorial benefits have been paid. To receive VA tutorial assistance, you must also meet the following requirements:
- You must be enrolled in at least half-time studies.
- The course must be taken to meet the degree requirements of the one current degree objective you have reported to the VA.
- The instructor must indicate to our office on department letterhead or form provided by Student Special Services that a deficiency exists and that tutoring is needed for you to satisfactorily complete the course.
- The tutor you select must complete a GPA verification form available in our office.
- You must complete VA form 22-1990T, available in Student Special Services.
VA Work-Study Program
VA Work-Study is available to students receiving educational benefits under any chapter at least three-quarter time. Current worksites include:
Employment Development Department
1161 Spruce Street
Riverside, CA 92507
(951) 955-2286
Attn: Jorge McCall
Jerry L. Pettis Veterans Administration Medical Center
11201 Benton Street
Loma Linda, CA 92357
(909) 825-7084, extension 2873
Attn: Dave Billups
Riverside County Veterans Services Office
1153-A Spruce Street
Riverside, CA 92507-2428
(951) 955-6050
Attn: Bill Earl
Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren
Riverside, CA 92503
(951) 653-8417, ext. 882
Attn: John Enriquez or Charles Warford
Corona Vet Center
800 Magnolia, Suite 110
Corona, CA 92879
(951) 734-0524 or (800) 523-7052
Attn: Eleanor Parham
San Bernardino Vet Center
155 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 140
San Bernardino, CA 92504
(909) 890-0797
Attn: Robert Milacek
Students are typically paid the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher; this benefit is non-taxable. Once you have arranged for a work-study position, you will need a copy of your current VA certification; please call Student Special Services a day ahead, so we may prepare one for you.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR DEPENDENTS OF VETERANS
College Fee Waiver Program
Children and spouses of veterans who have a service-connected disability or whose death was service-connected, may be eligible to be exempted from payment of the University Registration Fees and Educational Fees under provisions of the California Educational Code and Military and Veterans Code. Applications and information are available in Student Special Services. Students receiving fee exemptions must reapply annually.
Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)
Also known as Public Law Section 156 or Quayle benefits—This program restores certain Social Security benefits that were reduced or terminated by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Public Law 97-35. The REPS benefit is payable to certain surviving spouses and children who are survivors of members or former members of the Armed Forces who died while on active duty before August 13, 1981, or died from disabilities incurred in or aggravated by active duty before August 13, 1981. Benefits for sons and daughters of veterans are basically payable to an unmarried child who is 18 years or older but under age 22 and who is in full-time attendance in an approved education program at an approved postsecondary school. Earned income must fall below specified limits and the student must be unmarried. Contact Student Special Services for information and applications.
Financial Aid
Provisions of the Higher Education Act may affect how your veterans’ benefits are coordinated with any federal financial aid you are receiving. The Higher Education Act is the law on which administration of the federal financial aid programs is based.
In general, the law requires that educational benefits offered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs must be treated as a resource when the Financial Aid Office makes awards from the campus-based federal aid programs (Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work Study). These benefits are not used in calculation of your expected family contribution. However, information regarding veterans’ benefits must be collected by the school for use in packaging financial aid awards from Perkins Loan, SEOG, and Federal Work Study programs.
The veterans benefits included in this section are benefits from Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty (Chapter 30), Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31), REPS (Restored Entitlement Benefits for Survivors--Section 156), Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32), and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35).
Special provisions affect recipients of Montgomery veterans benefits under Title 38, Chapter 30. These benefits are not included in the definition of estimated financial assistance for the purposes of determining eligibility for a Subsidized Stafford Loan. (They remain part of estimated financial assistance for the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program.) Consequently, although Montgomery GI Bill benefits must be included in determining eligibility for Perkins Loan, SEOG, Federal Work Study and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan funds, they are excluded in determining eligibility for Subsidized Stafford Loan funds:
-
For students awarded Perkins Loan, SEOG, and/or FWS, the total amount of all resources (Pell Grant, Cal Grant, UCR Grant, Subsidized Stafford Loans, veterans benefits, outside scholarships, and other awards may not exceed the student's financial need (cost of attendance minus expected family contribution).
-
For students awarded Subsidized Stafford Loan funds, but no campus based aid, the total amount of all resources excluding Chapter 30 benefits may not exceed the student's financial need.
-
For students awarded Unsubsidized Stafford Loan funds, the total of all resources may not exceed the student's cost of attendance.
According to federal law, the veterans’ benefits are the monthly benefits expected to be received during the school year (from September 1 through June 30). Information regarding benefits you are eligible to receive will be confirmed with Student Special Services each year. If your initial financial aid package has been calculated without including your veterans benefits, the Financial Aid Office may be required to add these resources to your award (depending on the type of federal aid you receive), recalculate your eligibility for other aid funds, and, in some cases, cancel or reduce awards originally made to you.
If you have further questions regarding your veterans benefits and financial aid eligibility, please feel free to call the Financial Aid Office at (951) 827-3878 and ask to speak with your Financial Aid Counselor.
Information and Assistance
UCR provides staff in Student Special Services to assist you with your VA educational benefits. We are employees of the University, not the VA, and are here to help you whenever you have questions regarding VA or University regulations or procedures, or problems with receipt of educational benefits.
US Department of Veterans Affairs: For general information about educational benefits, you may visit the VA's education web site or call them at 1-888-GI-BILL-1. For assistance with other veterans’ benefits call 1-800-827-1000. Chapters 30 and 1606 recipients may submit monthly self-verification by phone, if the enrollment information is unchanged, by calling 1-877-823-2378; you may also verify online.
Other organizations: The Riverside County Veterans Services Office is located at 1153-A Spruce Street in Riverside, phone (951) 955-6050. Visit the California Department of Veterans’ Affairs web site at http://www.cdva.ca.gov/ or call them at 1-800-952-5626. The Corona Vet Center, located at 800 Magnolia Street, Suite 110, in Corona offers counseling and readjustment assistance for combat veterans and their families; they may be reached
at (951) 734-05254.
UCR's Student Special Services: We look forward to working with you throughout the year to ensure that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled. Please don’t hesitate to stop by our office at 125 Costo Hall (lower level), call us at (951) 827-3861, or reach us by e-mail at specserv@ucr.edu whenever we can be of help to you.