Everything You Need to Know
IMPORTANT!
This file has been written, rewritten and updated for
over 20 years by our two VA Counselors. If you NEED
to know it - it will be in this file. Don't be the one who
does not get paid, or worse yet, owes money back to the VA!
.
Everything you need
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Please be sure to print out your question and response session. Bring the printout to the Palomar Veterans' Office if you need further help from our staff.
Important Terms and Processes
Certification for VA Education benefits is not automatic. We ask that students stop by the Veterans' Services Office each semester they wish to utilize benefits and fill out a request for certification form. This should be done after students register into classes. We strongly recommend that students accomplish this as soon as they have secured classes in order to expedite the processing of educational benefits.
Veterans and other eligible dependents receiving educational benefits under Chapter: 30, 32, 35, 1606 1607, who have never used their VA educational benefits and would like to make application for benefits should report to the Veterans' Services Office prior to registering for classes. Students must bring copies of all DD 214s, and complete VA form 22-1990/5490. Those veterans receiving benefits under the conversion from the Vietnam Era to the Montgomery GI Bill will need to bring copies of all DD 214s, and if applicable, complete VA form 22-686C, Declaration of Status of Dependents, listing all dependents. Students who have prior educational training must provide official transcripts to Palomar College from all colleges, universities, and/or training institutes during the first semester of attendance.
Students who previously received VA educational benefits at another school must complete VA form 22-1995/5495 (Change of Place of Training) and submit it to the Veterans' Services Technician in the Veterans' Services Office. DD 214s and transcripts from training must be submitted to Palomar College.
All previously enrolled veterans should report to the Veterans' Services Office prior to registering to ensure proper credit. Students must turn in a completed certification form after registering for classes every semester to insure to continuance of their benefits.
While receiving VA Educational benefits, students may be concurrently enrolled at more than one school during the same semester. Whichever school the student is pursuing a degree from will be the Parent School. Veteran students must pick up a Supplemental School Course Approval Letter (VA Form Letter 315), or an authorization letter from the advisor at the Parent School. This form states that the courses taken at the Supplemental School will be credited toward the current major the student is pursuing. Veteran students are responsible for informing the Supplemental School's Veterans' Office where their Parent School is located. The Supplemental School will complete the certification for the benefits form (VA form 22-1999) and send it to the Parent School.
Monthly Verification
Veteran students who receive benefits under Chapter 30, 34, 1606 and
1607
GI Bill, have to verify their enrollment each
month. These students will receive an award letter from the
VA Regional Processing Center in Muskogee, OK. Once this is
received, the student can self certify. To insure prompt payment of
benefits please self certify every month. The earliest this can be
done is the last day of the month. Monthly verification ( self
certification ) can be done via one of the following two ways:
Telephone - Using Interactive Voice Response (IVR),
1-877-823-2378
Internet - WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment).
https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/
Failure to self-certify will cause your benefits to stop. You must do this every month or you will not get paid!
Federal holidays may delay receipt of the Student
Verification of Enrollment and/or your check.
Direct Deposit
Direct deposit of VA educational benefits payment is now available
for Chapter 30 recipients. This program speeds up education and work
study payments. It also decreases chance of missing, lost, or stolen
checks. As easy as 1-2-3, Chapter 30 students may request direct
deposit through the VA by calling the VA at: 1-800-442-4551
The VA will require students to provide their VA
file number, bank routing number, and checking/savings account
number.
Tutorial Assistance
Tutoring is available through the college free of charge. This can
be arranged by visiting the Tutoring Center located on the first
floor of the Palomar College Library. Additional information may be
found on the Tutoring Center's webpage, or by e-mail at:
tutoring@palomar.edu
pctutoring@hotmail.com
Students may also qualify to receive assistance from the VA for individual tutoring. To qualify, they must be enrolled in 1/2 time or better and have a deficiency in a subject which they are currently drawing VA educational benefits for.
If eligible for tutoring benefits under a GI Bill
students may receive up to $1200 maximum for tutoring. For further
information and to apply for VA tutorial assistance, contact the
Palomar Veterans' Services Office.
VA Work Study Program
This is a tax-free employment program through the VA. The rate is
minimum wage, state or federal – whichever one is higher ( $7.50 per
hour as of Jan 2007 ). Veteran students must be enrolled in and
receiving educational benefits at least 3/4 time (9, 10, 11 credit
hours) rate.
For jobs off-campus VA work study sites contact:
VA Regional Office 1-888-442-4551
VA Medical Hospital (619) 552-8585
For jobs on-campus contact the Palomar Community
College Veterans' Services Office at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2173.
Benefit Rates of Pay
Rates depend upon amount contributed and/or length of time in
service (Number of months of contribution), as well as enrollment
status. Inquire at the Veterans' Office for current pay rates for
each particular GI Bill.
Undergraduate Enrollment Status by Number of Credits
| Full Time | 3/4 Time | 1/2 Time | |
| Fall/Spring | 12.0+ | 9.0-11.5 | 6.0-8.5 |
| Summer 8-week |
6.0+ | 4.0-5.5 | 3.0 - 3.5 |
| Summer 6-week |
4.0+ | 3.0-3.5 | 2.0-2.5 |
Credit for Formal Service School Experience
Credit is given for formal service school training as recommended by
The American Council on Education, through its Commission on
Accreditation of Service School Experiences. For complete
information contact the Veterans' Services technician in the
Veterans' Services Office.
In compliance with the Department of Veteran Benefits, Circular 22-80-38, the college has developed standards of progress. Each veteran student must conform to these standards to be eligible of VA Educational Benefit Certification. Each veteran student must read, sign, and return the original copy of these standards to the Veterans' Services technician when applying for benefits and upon changing their major.