You should refer to this guide for clarification on receiving
your VA benefits. This information is of a general nature. If you
have a specific question not covered under the guidelines, please
contact a Barstow College Veterans Certifying Official at (760) 252-2411
x7265.

Applying – What's Required At Barstow College?
- DD-214 (Certificate of Release from Active
Duty)
- Selective Reserves/Chapter 1606 recipients – Submit a copy
of form 2384 (Notice of Basic Eligibility NOBE) issued and signed
by your reserve unit with your VA application.
- Application for admissions to school and for the VA benefits – You
need to fill out the appropriate VA application forms. Admission
to the College is separate.
Every Semester:
You should check with your college counselor every semester before signing up for your classes to be sure the ones you enroll in are ones needed for your recorded major. Fill out the BCC form Veterans Statement of Responsibility (available online) and:
This must be done in order to receive continuing
benefits and to prevent delays in payment of benefits. If you do
not fill out the Veterans Statement of Responsibility Form, you will not be certified
for the semester.
Processing Time
Barstow College usually clears paperwork in one week; however, during
peak periods allow at least two or three weeks. Processing of the initial
VA application takes at least eight to 10 weeks at the Veterans
Administration; subsequent paperwork usually takes four to six weeks.
Transcripts
FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES that Veterans request OFFICIAL SEALED transcripts
be sent from all the schools, colleges, training institutes, and
technical schools they attended to the Barstow College Records Office.
This includes all training and education received before entering
active duty as well as any training received during service and
after discharge, even if VA benefits were not paid for attending
the course or program. Military transcripts (AARTS, SMARTS
or CCAF) are required, and/or DD295 or VMET or certificates of completion
must also be submitted for military schools. VA regulations give
students 30 days from the start of their first semester of attendance
to supply Barstow College with these official transcripts. Military transcripts will be officially evaluated and posted after you complete 6 units.
Selecting a Major
Veterans and dependents are required to declare a two-year major
as listed in the Barstow College catalog, or a transfer major based
on articulation agreements with the California State University
or the University of California and Barstow College. VA students
are allowed major changes. All major changes have to be confirmed by the Certifying Official.
Payment
Payment is based on the dates the approved classes actually meet.
Payments of benefits are usually made between the 1st and the 15th
of each month, paying for the previous month. Inquiries may be made
directly with the VA at their toll free number 1-888-442-4551, or online at the VA Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS)
Chapter 33 requires a more precise calculation to arrive at an exact percentage for the housing allowance. To receive the housing allowance, rate of pursuit must be greater than 50%.
For a semester school:
A non-standard term is defined as any term less than 15 weeks or greater than 19 weeks.
The formula for rate of pursuit is number of units x 18 divided by number of weeks in term divided by 12.
Example:
Student is enrolled in 3 units for an 8 week term.
So, 3 x 18 / 8 / 12 = 56%
Rate of pursuit is greater than 50% and the student would receive the housing allowance.
Example:
Student is enrolled in 12 units for a 20 week term
So, 12 x 18 / 20 / 12 = 90%
Rate of pursuit is greater than 50% and the student would receive the housing allowance.
How to determine number of weeks in a term:
Calculate number of weeks by counting the number of days in the enrollment period (first day through the last day) and dividing by 7. Disregard a remainder of 3 days or less and consider a remainder of 4 days or more a full week.
Accelerated Sessions: Short
and nonstandard sessions are classes which meet less than a regular
semester such as the summer and fast-track sessions. Benefits for
these nonstandard classes are paid during the period of time the
class meets. Short sessions are paid at an accelerated rate. (See
your Veterans Affairs Advisor or contact the VA for more information.)
Repeated Classes: You may repeat a course and
receive VA payment for it if you received an "F", "NC"
or "W" grade on the original attempt. The VA does not
pay for repeats of "D" or better grades or for incomplete
grades, unless the incomplete is changed to an "F" grade.
Exceptions are granted only when a class is required for a major,
or when a general education course must be passed with a certain
grade level to progress to another required class, or to transfer.
Attendance: If you don't attend class ... you are NOT entitled to benefits!
If a student stops attending a class, he/she MUST drop officially through the Barstow College Admissions Office, and report the drop to his/her Veterans Affairs Advisor as well as the VA. This is a student responsibility - not a responsibility of Barstow College. Federal law requires that students report any change in enrollment status, which might affect their VA education benefits to the school and the VA. Your signature on the Veterans Statement of Responsibility shows acceptance of the responsibility to keep Barstow College and the VA informed of any change in student status.
Failure to accept responsibility for dropped courses can result in an overpayment!
When there is an overpayment the VA will ask for repayment of the amount overpaid. If you ignore the VA’s request, they can withhold future GI bill payments, disability payments, or depending upon the situation, they can take a student to court, charge interest and they may take future tax refunds, attach wages, put a legal hold on property, or deny a VA home loan.
The Veterans Affairs Advisor monitors student attendance on a weekly basis via the computer, and updated changes are sent to the VA. When adding or dropping classes, the student must report the add or drop directly to his/her Veterans Affairs Advisor as well as the VA.
F, FW, NC, Grades – Since the VA will not pay benefits for the period after a student has ceased attending class, Barstow College is required to notify the VA of those students who received an “F”, “FW”, or “NC” grade. Barstow College will follow VA regulations and report the last date of attendance for the “F”, “FW” or ”NC” grade as the last official day the student can drop and receive a “W” grade for the course.
Counseling
When you see a counselor (in the counseling
office or transfer center), identify yourself as a veteran. Be aware
that the VA places restrictions on what courses you may use to receive
pay. The counselor will help you develop an education plan, which
will be used in certifying your courses with the VA during your
matriculation at Barstow College. Enrolled courses must be toward your declared major for that semester or term.
Verification of Classes
- Consult a counselor.
- Refer to your education plan.
- Be aware that when you turn in your paperwork your courses will be reviewed to see if they are appropriate. Remember you are responsible for enrolling in approved courses.
- If you decide to change majors you must list the new major on a Veterans Statement of Responsibility and a new education plan must be given to the Veterans Certifying Official for your physical file (and for audits by the VA). Then, courses will be checked for applicability under the new major.
Academic and Progress Standards
Student Veterans should be aware of the standards
of satisfactory progress and attendance for GI Bill recipients.
If you are on academic or progress probation for two consecutive
semesters, Barstow College is required to notify the VA. The VA
will terminate payment of benefits.
Semester
Certification
Certification for VA Education Benefits is not automatic. For each semester and summer session you want to utilize your Veterans educational benefits, you must
fill out the Veterans Statement of Responsibility form and deliver
it to your Veterans Certifying Official at Barstow College (Fax (760)252-6748). This should be done after you register for classes. We
strongly recommend that you accomplish this as soon as you have
secured classes in order to expedite the processing of educational
benefits.
New Students
Veterans and other eligible dependents receiving educational benefits
under Chapters: 30, 32, 35, or 1606, who have never used their VA
Education Benefits may apply for VA Education Benefits in person
with a Barstow College counselor, or by faxing the
necessary paperwork to (760) 252-6748 prior to registering for classes.
Students must submit copies of all DD 214s. You will find VA forms online at http://www.gibill.va.gov.
Those veterans receiving benefits under the conversion from the
Vietnam Era to the Montgomery GI Bill will need to submit copies
of all DD 214s, and if applicable, a completed VA form 22-686C,
Declaration of Status of Dependents, listing all dependents. Students
with prior educational training must provide official transcripts
to Barstow College from all colleges, universities, and/or training
institutes during the first semester of attendance.
Transfer Students
Students who previously received VA Educational
Benefits at another school must complete VA form 22-1995 (Change
of Place of Training) and submit to the VA online. Transcripts must be submitted to the Barstow
College Admissions Office. See Transcripts.
Previously Enrolled Veterans
Previously enrolled veterans should contact
a counselor prior to registering to ensure proper credit. Students
must turn in a completed Veterans Statement of Responsibility form
after registering for classes every semester to ensure the continuation
of their benefits.
Concurrent Enrollment
While receiving VA Education Benefits, students may be concurrently enrolled at more than one school during the same semester. The school from which the student is pursuing a degree will be the parent school. Student veterans must have a Parent Letter sent to the secondary school. This letter states that the courses taken at the supplemental school will be credited toward the current major the student is pursuing. Student Veterans are responsible for informing the supplemental school's Veterans Office the name and location of their parent school. The supplemental school will complete the Certification for Benefits form (VA form 22-1999) and send it to the VA.
Monthly Verification
Student veterans who receive benefits under
Chapter 30, 34, or 1606 GI Bill, have to verify their enrollment each month. These
students will receive an award letter from the VA Regional Processing
Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Once this is received, the student can
self-certify.
To ensure prompt payment of benefits, please self-certify
every month. The earliest this can be done is the last day of each
month. Monthly verification (self-certification) can be done via
one of two ways:
1. |
Telephone: Using
Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
1-877-823-2378 |
2. |
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 be paid!
*Federal holidays may delay receipt of the Student Verification
of Enrollment and/or your check.
Direct Deposit
Direct deposit of VA Education Benefit payments is now available
for recipients. This program speeds payments. It also decreases chances of missing, lost, or stolen
checks. Students may request direct deposit through the
VA.
The VA will require students to provide their VA file number, bank
routing number, and checking/savings account number.
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. Ask your Veterans Affairs Advisor for
current pay rates for each particular GI Bill.
Undergraduate Enrollment Status by Number of Credits (Chapter 33 students must take more than 50% to be eligible for Housing benefits):
4 Week Session: FT= 3 units ¾= 2 units
5 Week Session: FT= 4 units ¾= 3 units ½= 2 units
6 Week Session: FT= 4 units ¾= 3 units ½= 2 units
8 Week Session: FT= 6 units ¾= 5 units ½= 3 units
9 Week Session: FT= 6 units ¾= 5 units ½= 3 units
18 Week Session: FT= 12 units ¾= 9 units ½= 6 units
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 your Veteran Affairs Advisor.
Standards for Receiving Education
Benefits
In compliance with the Department of Veteran
Benefits Circular 22-80-38, the college has developed standards
of progress. Each student veteran must conform to these standards
to be eligible for VA Education Benefit Certification. Each student
veteran must read, sign, and return the original copy of these standards
to their Barstow College Veterans Certifying Official when applying
for benefits and upon changing their major.
Extra Programs That May Help You:
ROUND OUT is a program, which allows students who have a limited number of courses remaining in their program to add non-required courses and be paid at a higher rate. Round Out may only be used in the final semester of attendance. It may be used under one major at the two-year level and again for one major at the four-year level.
TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE: Tutoring is available through the college free of charge. This can be arranged by contacting the Tutorial Center located in the Barstow College Learning Resource Center.
WORK STUDY PROGRAM: Chapter 30/New GI Bill, Chapter 1606/Selective Reserves, Chapter 35/Dependents, Chapter 32/VEAP and Chapter 31/Vocational Rehabilitation students who are enrolled at least three-quarters time (9, 10, or 11 credit hours) and receiving educational benefits are eligible to apply for the VA work study program. The program provides up to 450 hours of work per semester at a tax-free rate equal to the federal minimum wage.
For jobs at other VA work study sites contact:
VA Regional Office 1-800-827-1000
Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Medical Center (909)825-7084 or (800) 741-8387
|