Veteran's Educational Assistance

Pellissippi State maintains a Veterans Affairs office at the Pellissippi Campus in the Financial Aid office. Personnel cooperate with the Veterans Administration in providing educational opportunities for veterans and eligible people under appropriate public laws. The office is responsible for maintenance of veterans needs related to educational benefits, assisting in recruitment of prospective veterans as students, providing information to organizations concerned about veteran's benefits, and for counseling and tutorial assistance to eligible people on campus. Upon accepting veterans educational assistance, the student assumes responsibility for all rules and regulations of the Veterans Administration.

Veterans wishing to apply for educational benefits (except students who transfer from regionally accredited schools) must submit high school/GED transcripts and/or transcripts from accredited colleges attended. All veterans and Guard/Reserve recipients must submit a DD-214 copy to the Records office for transfer credit evaluation. These documents must be submitted within the first semester of attendance or further registration for courses will not be permitted.

The VA Form 22-1990 and 22-1999, Veterans Application for Program of Education or Training and Enrollment Certification, must be completed. The veteran should submit the original Form DD-214 along with these forms. Reserve and Guard benefit recipients must submit DD Form 2384 and a DD-214 form. If benefits have previously been used for educational assistance, veterans must complete VA Form 22-1995 and VA Form 22-1999. The application and all supporting documents should be submitted for processing to the Financial Aid/Veterans office at least eight weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the veteran wishes to attend. Advance pay is available to early applicants.

Proper application forms for disabled veterans, sons or daughters, widows or wives, widowers, or husbands of veterans are available in the Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs office. Most benefits and regulations also apply to eligible veterans' dependents.

Continuous Enrollment. The Veterans Administration follows a policy that allows veterans attending school on a yearly basis (fall and spring; summer semester requires special certification) to obtain their monthly checks with no interruptions or reduction in benefits due to school classes ending between semesters. However, any benefits paid to veterans between semesters will be deducted from the total entitlement.

Veterans Administrations Policy. VA regulations forbid a veteran from repeating any course that has been transferred from another school. Veteran students should not take a course that is not listed in the catalog under the major curriculum even though they are not counting it for VA benefits. Veterans may not be certified for a course for which they have received an I grade unless the I converts to a quality letter grade. Veterans may repeat courses with pay only if the previous grade is an F. Veterans receiving an E grade may not continue that course for benefits payment. Veterans should consult with the Veterans Affairs office staff prior to changing course load or majors and then verify the actual change. Veterans should renew the benefits certification during July of each year and during April if enrolling for the summer session.

Advance Payment. Veterans who make application for admission and veterans benefits at least 30 days before the starting date of the semester of attendance and who are registered for eligible courses will receive at least one months pay at the beginning of that semester.

Fee Deferment. Veterans who have applied for advance pay at least 15 days prior to official registration or who have not received a regular VA education benefits check due to VA error may apply for a 30-day fee deferment. Pellissippi State 's Veterans Affairs office can provide additional information and applications. Benefits recipients may apply for a Student Emergency Loan at the Financial Aid office.

Advisement. Veterans should work closely with advisors in selecting and scheduling courses since courses not listed under a major are generally not payable by the VA.

NOTE: Generally, veterans should not enroll in P.E. courses, since credit from the DD-214 will satisfy the P.E. requirements for graduation.

Miscellaneous. Veterans can be paid for remedial/developmental courses if testing determines a need for the courses. Selected independent study courses approved by the department head are payable. Credit by examination will not be counted as a course eligible for benefits pay. Most co-op courses are not payable for VA benefits.

Veterans may have dual majors in certain combinations; questions may be directed to the Veterans Affairs office for the specific majors.

Regular attendance is required to receive veterans' benefit pay. Instructors are required to report non-attendance of veterans to the Veterans Affairs office which reports non-attendance to the veterans Administration Regional office. Payments are adjusted or canceled if attendance is not regular.

VA tutorial benefits and veterans work study are available to certain veterans and dependents of veterans. See the Financial Aid/Veterans' Affairs office for more information.

Veterans should also apply for other financial aid.

The Veterans Administration regional office may be contacted toll free by calling 1-800-827-1000 or visit the Veteran's Administration web page