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:

• fax it to (760) 252-6748
• scan it to an email and send it to dcordova@barstow.edu or vastudent@barstow.edu
• or mail it to the BCC Veterans Certifying Official

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

1. Consult a counselor.
2. Refer to your education plan.
3. 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.
4. 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:

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.

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