| "How can I keep track
of my VA benefits?"
We advise all VA students to start a VA binder or folder. Keep
copies of the original application forms submitted, any correspondence
received, and notes from telephone conversations. The binder can be kept
most easily in chronological order with the latest items on top. Keep a
log of VA checks you receive too, noting the amount, date and check number.
This way you will always know where you are with your payments and what
you have received. Your VA folder will also be helpful if you have any
questions about your benefits by providing you with full documentation
of your VA personal history.
"What if I have to withdraw? I have to repay VA, right?"
Right. The DVA cannot allow payment when the withdrawal is for
personal reasons. You would have to pay the DVA back any money received
for the course. But VA students may not have to fully repay the DVA if
they can show that the withdrawal was due to "mitigating circumstances"-that
is, reasons beyond the student's control such as TDY or a PCS move. If
this is the case, you should retain documentation of the withdrawal as
the VA may contact you directly asking for this documentation as proof
of the mitigating circumstances. Students should not forward their withdrawal
documentation to the DVA unless the DVA contacts them with a specific request.
If the DVA approves the withdrawal reasons, the DVA will allow payment
up to the date of the withdrawal.
"What about an Incomplete grade?"
The DVA will allow payment for an Incomplete, but you must remove
the Incomplete within the school's required time frame or the DVA will
require repayment. Both undergraduate and graduate students must make up
an Incomplete grade within six months of the end of the term in which the
Incomplete was incurred. Otherwise, the Incomplete will be changed to an
"F" . You will then have to refund any monies received from the DVA for
this enrollment if you repeat the course. Please note, however, that your
instructor may require you to remove the grade sooner. You need to keep
in close contact with your instructor regarding making up an Incomplete.
"I know I only have a certain number of months of VA benefits.
How much of my entitlement do I use up in a term?"
All VA students are charged one day of benefits per one day of
full-time benefits paid. The VA does prorate for half-time or quarter-time
enrollments. This means that if you receive at least the equivalent of
one month of full-time benefits for the enrollment period, you have used
up one month of your entitlement.
"I have to take a class with another school and am using my
VA with UMUC-ED. Can I use my VA with that school too?"
Yes, as long as you first have the required Official Evaluation
from UMUC-ED and then consult with a Maryland academic advisor who will
make certain the other school's course will fit into your degree program.
If the course is appropriate, then you need to make sure you let the other
school's field representative know that you are a Maryland VA student when
you register. The VA certification for your enrollment will be routed from
the other school through the Maryland VA Section Office. Due to the additional
steps involved, it may take longer to receive payment from the VA.
"Can I use VA and TA together?"
Yes, this program is called "Top-Up". You will need to submit
a copy of your TA paperwork directly to the DVA to get reimbursement for
the portion not covered by TA.
"Can I use financial aid and VA together?"
Yes, you can apply for federal financial aid which can be used
together with VA benefits. As long as you report the VA benefits on the
federal financial aid application, no duplication of funds will occur.
Ask your Maryland field representative for the Maryland Financial Aid Packet
along with the federal application, and go for it!
"I received my GI Bill VA Student Verification form from the
DVA, but it has the incorrect term dates on it! The starting date is in
the middle of the term. Will the DVA pay me for the beginning of the term?"
Yes, the DVA will authorize payment for the beginning of the term.
Many VA students are understandably perplexed by the Student Verification
Form 22-8979. It is important to understand that the DVA is simply asking
you to confirm that you have continued to remain enrolled subsequent to
the actual date we certified your enrollment in the term to the
DVA, The assumption is that the school would not certify your enrollment
if you had withdrawn or stopped attending, therefore the DVA wants to verify
that you stayed in classes. This is a requirement of the New GI Bill. The
DVA will not be able to continue payment until the signed Verification
form is received at the DVA. If you did withdraw, you will need to notify
the DVA of the date you withdrew from the courses so that the DVA can adjust
the payment.
"I haven't received my payment for last term, and I've been
a VA student for two years. Can you help me?"
Yes, always contact the UMUC VA Office in Heidelberg first. We
can review the VA certifications in question with you and make certain
that our records match yours. Next we will work with you to figure out
exactly what steps to take. It might be necessary for you to contact the
DVA yourself, since in a number of situations the DVA requires that the
student, not the school, contact the DVA office. However, if you team up
with us, we can help you contact the right office with the right information. |
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