Veteran Services

• Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
• Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB) (Chapter 30)
• Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) (Chapter 35)
• Vocational Readiness & Employment Program (VR&E) (Chapter 31)

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Attendance Requirements

A VA student may be withdrawn by his or her instructors when absences are excessive, as defined under the Attendance Policy described in this catalog. A student must verify his or her attendance on the last day of the month to initiate the release of the monthly benefit check if using CH 30 or 1606 education benefits. To verify attendance, please use the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do, or the toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at (877) 823-2378. CH 33 students will receive a text message at the end of each month of training asking them to confirm that they have had no changes to their schedule.

Calculation of Pay Rate

Pay rate classifications are set by DVA for all GI Bill® chapters. The rate calculation is based on the combination of credits enrolled and the length of the session in days of instruction. Pensacola State College has three semesters — fall, spring, and summer. Each semester has four sessions, A, B, C, and D. The sessions have varied lengths. It is important to remember that semester and session have different meanings and measurements. A student enrolled in 12 credit hours for fall semester, all in the A session is FULL TIME for the semester. Enrollment in two or more different sessions during the semester could result in changes in the calculation of the rate of pay over the semester. A student should go to Post-9/11 GI Bill And Other VA Education Benefit Rates | Veterans Affairs for pay rate information.

Certification

All enrolled VA students should submit a VA Certification Request in Workday upon completion of registration if they wish to claim DVA benefits for the upcoming semester. IMPORTANT: Students should complete their registration and the necessary steps for certification as early as possible to ensure quick processing and DVA payment.

Communications

Official communications between Pensacola State College and a student is via PirateMail. It is each student’s responsibility to regularly monitor this account. A student should submit correspondence to the VSO using veterans@pensacolastate.edu. The student’s name, Pensacola State Student ID number, and chapter of VA benefits should always be included.

Cooperative (CO-OP) Training

Co-op training is approved for DVA benefits if the course is required in a student’s program and meets DVA regulations for certification purposes. If the co-op course is verifiable and the student would like to receive DVA benefits, the “Statement of Election” form must be completed before the co-op course can be certified to the DVA. Contact the VSO to ensure the course is certifiable and to obtain the necessary paperwork.

Courses for Which the VA Will Not Pay

Any course that cannot be applied toward fulfilling graduation requirements in a student’s DVA approved degree program at Pensacola State College cannot be certified to the DVA for benefit payments. The following list reflects other types of non-pay courses but is not all inclusive.

1. Repeated courses which have been successfully completed with a grade of D or better unless the course is being repeated in accordance with the Gordon Rule or Pensacola State College graduation requirements. This includes courses transferred in whether DVA benefits were received or not.
2. Courses not listed under a student’s DVA approved degree program; unless the course is a pre-requisite or co-requisite listed under the course descriptions in the current College Catalog, or a course substitution, processed and approved before the semester begins. A student should follow the Pensacola State College program outline listed in the College Catalog verified as the one under which the student plans to graduate.
3. Courses offered as open entry/open exit.
4. Courses considered excessive electives. This includes credit received for prior training that will count toward an elective requirement whether DVA benefits were received or not.
5. Remedial courses which are not required under Florida State laws.
6. Courses taken to fulfill requirements at another institution unless an approved transient authorization is received.
7. Courses taken as audit, non-credit, CLEP, or exemption.
8. Any course in which a student’s final permanent grade is non-punitive in nature, for example a W grade, unless DVA finds the student received the grade due to mitigating circumstances.
9. Courses offered as independent study in a certificate program.

Deferment

Florida law provides for one deferment of tuition and fees (not including books) per academic year for a student receiving DVA benefits. The deferment is a legal promissory note between Pensacola State College and the student; therefore, the student is responsible for making full payment by the due date. All costs of collection including reasonable attorney fees will be the responsibility of the student. The student’s obligation to pay is not contingent on the student first receiving his or her DVA payment.

Dual Degree

DVA allows a student to concurrently pursue two degree programs. A student must first receive approval from Pensacola State College’s Registrar. Then a student must request approval through Pensacola State College’s VSO. If a student changes one of the dual degree programs after approval, the approval is then voided. Careful review of the dual request form should be done prior to submitting the request.

DVA Resources

Pensacola State College’s VSO does NOT have access to a student’s DVA pay information; therefore, a student should consult the DVA’s website: VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs to check on education benefits and payments. Specific questions regarding a student’s education benefits and payments should be addressed directly to the DVA using the “Ask VA” feature at the following address: Ask.VA.gov | Veteran Affairs or by calling (888) 442-4551.

DVA Vocational Rehabilitation

A student approved for DVA VR&E is eligible to charge tuition, fees, books, and supplies as approved by his or her DVA case manager and as allowed by DVA regulations. The college’s VSO must receive an authorized purchase order from the case manager before charges can be made. Please allow at least five business days for changes to be made. For additional information, email veterans@pensacolastate.edu.

Educational Objective

In order to receive DVA Educational Assistance, a student must be pursuing an approved BAS, BSN, AA, AS, or certificate at Pensacola State College. A student must follow the Catalog for the academic year the student began the program unless the student takes longer than five years to complete the program. Please see the Effective Catalog Policy for complete details. Transient students must contact the VSO staff for additional requirements.

Graduating Semester

A VA student under Chapters 30, 33, 35, 1606 may register in any college credit course, not part of their degree program, to achieve up to full-time enrollment during his or her graduation term. This exception is once per program.

Name/Address/Program Changes

A student is required to ensure Workday is updated with any change of name, address, phone number, or degree program. These changes can affect receipt of DVA education benefits.

Processing Time

New applications, program changes, and certification requests should allow a minimum of two weeks for the VSO to audit and submit to the DVA. Certifications are processed in date-received sequence.

Shopping Sheet

The Veteran Financial Aid Shopping Sheet (PDF), is available on each student’s financial aid page in Workday. It is a consumer tool used to notify students of their potential financial aid package. Designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid, it is used to help a student using DVA educational benefits make informed decisions about where to attend school.

Repeating Courses

A student may repeat a course in which an F or a non-passing grade is received. The DVA will not pay for successfully completed courses unless a student is repeating a D grade in accordance with the Gordon Rule or Pensacola State graduation requirements.

Reporting Requirements

It is the responsibility of a VA student to keep the VSO informed of all changes in their enrollment status by adhering to the following:

1. After registering for classes, a student should go to Workday, click on Academic Progress. Any course not shown as applying in this document may not count toward enrollment for calculation of benefits. The VSO can help determine which courses are eligible for benefits. Submit an email to veterans@pensacolastate.edu with the student’s name, Student ID number, chapter of VA benefits, and requesting assistance with your schedule.
2. A student must e-mail veterans@pensacolastate.edu with his or her name, Student ID number, and chapter of VA benefits to report any changes in school enrollment or attendance.

Tutorial Assistance

A DVA student enrolled in at least half-time status in a post-secondary program has potential entitlement to DVA tutorial assistance. Contact VSO for additional information and proper forms. Veterans under VR&E should contact their DVA counselor.

Unsatisfactory Progress

When a student fails to meet Pensacola State College’s standards of academic progress, the VSO is required to advise the DVA. A student must obtain a Pensacola State College Veteran Services Office Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Form and make an appointment with an academic advisor to have the form completed. When completed, the form must state the reason for the unsatisfactory academic progress and steps a student should take to regain satisfactory academic progress. The completed form must be returned to the VSO in order to be certified for DVA benefits. If the student is on academic probation or suspension for two consecutive terms, his or her DVA benefits can be suspended for unsatisfactory academic progress. See STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS.

Work-Study

A DVA student enrolled a minimum of three-quarter time may apply for the DVA Work-Study Program. The qualified and selected student is paid minimum wage (Florida or federal, whichever is higher) by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Work-Study pay is tax exempt, and students may work a maximum of 425 hours over a fall or spring semester and 325 hours over the summer semester. For additional information, please contact veterans@pensacolastate.edu.

Military Credit

Active duty service members and retired military personnel may request a review of military experiences for possible credit.  Please see the NON-TRADITIONAL CREDIT (EXTERNAL CREDIT) section of the Catalog for detailed information and guidance.