Financial Aid

Veterans Affairs

Pellissippi State maintains a Veterans Affairs Office at the Pellissippi Campus within 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 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 Admissions and 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.

Never used GI Bill benefits before:
The VA Form 22-1990 (veterans) or 22-5490 (dependents) must be completed online. If the veteran has been discharged, they should provide the School Certifying Official (SCO) with a copy of their DD-214 (member- 4) that they receive upon separation from active duty. If the veteran is in the Active Reserves or National Guard they will need to provide the SCO with a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from their unit.

Used GI Bill benefits before:
The VA Form 22-1995 (veterans) or 22-5495 (dependents) must be completed online. This application, and all supporting documents, should be submitted as soon as possible before the beginning of the first semester. Advance pay is available to early applicants in some cases. VA Form 22-1999 must be submitted to the VA SCO at least 40 days prior to the beginning of the term.

Tuition and fee deferment
Tuition and fee deferment is available to qualified benefit recipients by completing a deferment form each semester prior to the fee payment deadline. Forms are available from the School Certifying Official on campus.

Bookstore charges
Any student receiving veteran-related benefits may request a bookstore charge voucher from the SCO during the first week of classes each semester.

• Veterans Administrations Policy VA regulations forbid a veteran from repeating any course that has been transferred from another school. While veterans are free to take any courses they choose, they can only be certified for classes that are listed as program requirements, pre-requisites to requirements, or developmental courses needed to bring the student up to college level work. 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 should consult with the Veterans Affairs office staff prior to changing course load or majors and then verify the actual change.

• Advisement Veterans or their dependents should contact Rachael Cragle at 539-7219 or Ben Sugg a 539-7336 for their advising appointments.

• Dual Majors Veterans may have dual majors in certain combinations; questions may be directed to the Veteran's 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 Veteran's 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/Veteran's Affairs Office for more information.

The VA does not currently pay for the following courses: 

• Independent study
• Credit by exam
• Most co-op courses (check with SCO for questions on these)

Veterans should also apply for other financial aid by annually completing the FAFSA application online.

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

Veterans Affairs Welcome Form

Joint VA/DOL Program Launches to Retrain 99,000 Unemployed Veterans

Online Site Opens May 15 for Veterans to Apply for Education Benefits - www.benefits.va.gov/vow

Veterans Affairs Contact

Normal Walk-In Hours

Hardin Valley Campus
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:00am-4:30pm

Division Street Campus
Tuesday: 9:30am-6:00pm


Sharon Shastid
Financial Aid Coordinator
Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official
Office: 865-694-6472
Fax: 865-694-6577
E-mail: veterans@pstcc.edu