montage

EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY
Residential Campus
VETERANS' HANDBOOK

The University Veterans Affairs Office (UVAO) serves over 2000 veterans, service persons, and their dependents annually. This office is fully staffed with qualified counselors who provide services such as personal counseling; assistance in resolving problems that may arise in the student's relations with the University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (U.S. DVA); provides general and specific information about all benefits available to men and women who are serving or who have served in the armed forces; job placement on and off campus; reporting enrollment information to authorize appropriate allowances; and provides other advisory counseling and referral services. The purpose of this handbook is to provide information on topics we think you should be aware of. Failure to adhere to the information contained in this handbook may result in delays of certification, inaccurate reporting of training time, overpayment, and unnecessary termination of education benefits. We welcome you to contact the University Veterans Affairs Office at your convenience.


APPLICATION FOR VETERANS EDUCATION BENEFITS

VA Applications are designed to obtain the data necessary to determine eligibility for educational assistance benefits for particular educational objectives. The application and required forms vary according to the type of benefits and to the circumstances. Refer to the matrix on pages 6-9 to determine which forms apply to you. Forms may be obtain at the ERAU University Veterans Affairs Office (UVAO) or may be downloaded from the DVA Web site

www.vba.va.gov/pubs/educationforms

Once the forms are completed, mail or bring them to the UVAO for processing. You may also apply online using the Veterans On Line Application (VONAPP):

www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp

.When you use this site your application will be sent directly to the VA Regional Office with jurisdiction over your application. Processing will begin right away, and you will receive a response from the VA office informing you of the status of your application.

CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY

A certificate of eligibility will be mailed to the student once the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has received the application for benefits and all necessary supporting documents. Veterans and eligible dependents are assigned a VA file (claim) number usually the veteran’s social security number.

ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATION

The ERAU VA Certifying Official an on-line certification of enrollment (VA-ONCE), to report all pertinent information concerning your enrollment to the DVA. This reduces the manual time needed to prepare forms, eliminates mail time, and provides the immediate receipt by the DVA. It takes approximately four to six weeks for the DVA to process initial enrollment claims and re-enrollments. Once entitlement is established and the DVA makes an award, payment is authorized monthly, based on information reported by the university and verified by the student.

STUDENT VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

Students receiving Montgomery G. I.Bill, Chapter 30 or 1606 education benefits must verify their enrollment monthly to the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to receive payment. Students can verify their enrollment by calling: 1-877-823-2378. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or you may verify on-line at. www.gibill.va.gov/wave. You must be currently enrolled in some form of approved educational program and have a current or active benefit award in the VA system. If these conditions are not met you will have a record in the WAVE system.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION - Ch. 31

A veteran may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits if he or she:

• Received or will receive, a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions;

• incurred or aggravated a service-connected disability on or after September 16, 1940, which entitles them to DVA disability compensation; and

• is in need of vocational rehabilitation because his or her disability creates an employment handicap. Entitlement for these services is determined on an individual basis following an evaluation of the veteran’s unique interests, aptitudes, education, work experience, and vocational abilities.

Voc Rehab may be provided for up to 48 months. An eligible veteran generally has 12 years from the date he/she is notified of entitlement to DVA compensation in which to use these benefits. The DVA may approve an extension of time and/or length of training in certain cases.

Contact the nearest DVA office to obtain detailed information and to request Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans' Application for Vocational Rehabilitation.

SUPPLEMENTAL ENROLLMENTS

Students enrolling in courses through a supplemental (secondary) institution who wish to use their VA education benefits must first obtain approval from the Records and Registrations Office. The supplemental (secondary) school must be approved by the DVA to participate in the education programs, and all courses must be required for completion of the student’s Embry-Riddle degree. The supplemental 2 school will certify the enrollment. The supplemental enrollment certification must be sent to the DVA Regional Processing Office in Atlanta, GA.

The DVA requires the university to have transcripts for supplemental enrollments no later than the second term (or 8 months whichever occurs first) following the term in which the course(s) is completed. If transcripts are not received, the university is required to notify the DVA. The DVA will terminate benefits effective the last date of the enrollment. Once transcripts are received, certification of enrollment will resume.

AUDITS, REPEATS, WITHDRAWALS, &
NON-REQUIRED COURSES
The VA will not authorize payment for:
• withdrawals/drops
• audits
• courses which are not applicable to a declared degree objective
• courses for which a grade assigned is not used in computing requirement for graduation.
• repeating a course for which a grade of "D" or better (unless a higher grade is required).
Note: Payment will be authorized for repeating
required courses for which you have failed.
See Changes in Student Status.

DOUBLE MAJORS, DUAL DEGREES, AND MINORS

Students may be certified in only one program of study at a time unless they receive approval from the State Approving Agency (SAA) and the DVA. To pursue two programs simultaneously, a formal request for dual programs of study must be submitted through the UVAO. All such request must be submitted to the SAA prior to the veteran's entrance into dual objective study. The request for approval must be received by the SAA prior to the earning of 90 credit hours of baccalaureate degree program or the earning of 37 hours of an associate degree program. Benefit payments for the additional courses will not be authorized until approval is received. This process can take up to six weeks

REMEDIAL, DEFICIENCY & REFRESHER

Remedial and Deficiency courses are typically intended to assist individuals in overcoming weaknesses in particular areas of study at the secondary school level. Often, institutions will require the completion of certain deficiency courses without granting credit toward graduation. Basic English language or mathematics courses are authorized only when the need for training has been established by accepted testing methods.

Refresher courses are courses which will permit the student to update knowledge and skills or be instructed in the technological advances which have occurred in the individual's field of employment during or after active duty.

Ch. 30 & 32 participants: The student's entitlement will be charged for pursuit of these types of training.

Ch. 30 with Ch. 34 eligibility: Veterans are not charged entitlement for remedial and deficiency courses. However, in-service/active duty students are charged entitlement.

Ch. 35: Person eligible under Chapter 35 is entitled to benefits for pursuit of remedial and deficiency courses without a charge to entitlement for the first five months of full-time pursuit of a program (or the equivalent in part-time educational assistance) consisting of such courses. Refresher training is not available to persons under Chapter 35.

Ch. 1606: Refresher, remedial and deficiency courses are payable. Entitlement is charged.

Sections 901 and 903: Benefits for refresher, remedial and deficiency courses are not payable for training under Section 901. Section 903 students may receive refresher training.

CHANGES IN STUDENT STATUS

All students receiving VA education benefits are required to inform the school certifying official of ALL of the following:

  • Periods of enrollment
  • Audits and withdrawals
  • Change of degree programs including minors and natural progression from Bachelors to Masters
  • Catalog changes
  • Address change
  • Change in dependents applicable to those eligible for CH 34/30
  • Course substitutions (approval must be obtained prior to enrolling in course)
  • Intra-University Transfer
  • Supplemental Enrollments
  • Repeating Courses

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

All students receiving DVA education benefits are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress according to published standards established and enforced by the university. Embry-Riddle's Standards of Progress have been approved by the State Approving Agency (SAA) and accepted by the DVA.

Title 38, United States Code, Sections 3474 and 3524 requires that education assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her training 3 objective. Accordingly, benefits will be interrupted for: • Undergraduate students who remain on academic probation for two consecutive semesters. • Graduate students who are subject to dismissal.

The UVAO will discontinue certification and will inform the DVA of this action. The DVA determines whether or not payments will be terminated and the conditions for reinstatement of benefits. Students have a right to appeal.

AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND AVIONICS LINE MAINTENCE SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM

These programs are non-college degree (NCD) programs and all courses are measured in clock hours (see training time chart on page 5). Monthly payments are the same as other VA programs, based on full-time training (18 clock hrs per week).

FLIGHT COURSES

The UVAO will certify flight courses after the course is completed and a grade is received. Please be aware that if you are registered for 12 credit hours and 6 of those credit hours are for flight courses, you will only be certified for half-time training until you have completed your flight courses. The DVA will be notified and the student will be paid retroactively.

TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE

Tutorial assistance may be paid to eligible veterans enrolled at least half-time and receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, and 1606. Tutorial assistance aids the student in defraying tutorial expenses and will be paid to reimburse reasonable charges by a tutor. To qualify, you must have a deficiency in a subject making tutoring necessary. The maximum amount payable, is $100 a month with a maximum benefit of $1200. A charge to entitlement will be made for assistance received in excess of $600 by Chapter 30, Chapter 32, and Chapter 1606.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a method of instruction by which students may alternate periods of full-time school attendance and full-time on the job training. This can be done in either one of two ways: 1) over a period of two terms, a student may alternate full-time school attendance with full-time on the job training on a term basis OR 2) parallel co-op - a student attends school halftime and works half-time during one term. The combination must equal full-time. DVA education benefits are paid at 100% of the full-time rate appropriate for each student. See your VA counselor to insure you receive the maximum benefit.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Veterans and Reservists enrolled 3/4 time or more and training under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 1606, and Section 903 may be eligible for employment on a part-time basis. The DVA will pay a non-taxable allowance equal to the prevailing federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. There are a limited number of positions available at the following approved job sites; the Veterans' Outreach Clinic, and the University Veterans Affairs Office. These positions, and other on and off campus positions are advertised through the campus Student Employment Office.

ADVANCED PAYMENT

The Daytona Beach Campus participates in the advance payment program with the DVA. New students and continuing students with 30 or more days break between semesters are eligible. If you elect advance pay, you will be paid in advance for the first month or fraction thereof in which the semester begins, plus the amount payable for the following month. Request for advance pay should reach the DVA Processing Regional Office at least sixty (60) days before the start of the semester. Advance payments are mailed to the UVAO. Service members are eligible. Payment will be equal to the amount charged for tuition and fees for the course(s) or the established training time rate, whichever is less.

ACCELERATED PAYMENT

An accelerated payment is a lump sum payment of 60% of tuition and fees for certain high cost, high tech programs. To receive accelerated payment, the tuition and fees must be more than double the Montgomery GI Bill (CH 30) benefits that you would otherwise receive for that term. For a list of high tech course and how to apply please go to www.gibill.va.gov

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Direct deposit is the safest and fastest way to receive your VA education benefits. You may request direct deposit by mail or by calling 1-877- 838-2778. Be sure to provide your financial institution's routing number, your account number, and type of account (checking or savings).

INTERVAL (BREAK) PAY

The DVA may pay educational assistance continuously during the intervals between certified terms.

DVA authorizes breaks that do not exceed eight weeks and when the terms before and after the breaks are not shorter than the break. DVA will not authorize interval payment in the following instances:

  1. An interval between terms if the student is attending less than half-time or is on active duty.'
  2. A student transfers from one school to another without a change of program and the interval that exceeds 30 days but are less than a full calendar month.
  3. An interval, regardless of length, preceding a change of program when the student also changes institutions.
  4. An interval which is specifically designated by an institution as an interval between the end
    of one academic or school year and the beginning of the next, if the institution operates on other than a term, quarter, or semester basis.
  5. A student, prior to authorization of payments or prior to check negotiation, requests that no benefits be paid for the interval.
  6. An interval during which a student's entitlement will be exhausted and it is to the student's advantage not to receive benefits for the interval.
  7. An interval following the student's withdrawal from all courses in the preceding term.

TUITION PAYMENT EXTENSIONS

Tuition Payment Extensions are granted to students upon request. Extensions for new and returning students are made for 60 days from the first day of registration. Please keep in mind that this is a courtesy extended to you by the university and the balance of your tuition must be paid whether or not you receive your checks from the DVA.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The major categories of financial assistance programs for undergraduates include loans, grants, scholarships and student employment. Loans from state and federal government sources or from private lenders must be repaid; however, the interest rate is usually low and the repayment period is extended. Grants and scholarships do not have to be repaid, nor does the income earned through student employment. Most of these programs are based on the financial need of the student.

Undergraduates who live in the states where Embry- Riddle's residential campuses are located have additional sources of funding available to them. Arizona residents may qualify for the Arizona State Student Incentive Grant. Residents of Florida may be eligible to receive the Florida Resident Access Grant, the Florida Student Assistance Grant, Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award, Florida Academic Scholars Award, & the Florida Merit Scholars Award. Residents of Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maryland, or Delaware may also be eligible for state grants.

The major categories of assistance programs available for graduate study are loans and student employment. In addition, Embry-Riddle offers assistantships to qualified students at the Daytona Beach campus. Recipients either teach or perform research and are compensated by a tuition waiver and stipend. Application and selection is coordinated by the Graduate Dean. Graduate students may use any of the Financing Options or seek external scholarship assistance and are encouraged to seek employment opportunities to offset living costs. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 1-800/943-6279 or 386/226- 6300 for more detailed information.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION


Toll-free numbers:

DVA Regional Office (general info) 1-800-827-1000

DVA Regional Processing Offices (education claim) 1-888-442-4551

Direct Deposit. 1-877-838-2778

Monthly Verification of Enrollments 1-877-823-2378

Other Toll-free numbers:

Life Insurance 1-800-669-8477

Debt. Management 1-800-827-0648

Home Loans 1-800-827-1000

CHAMPVA 1-800-733-8387

Headstone & Marker Program 1-800-697-6947

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 1-800-827-1000

Telecommunication Devise for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833

ERAU

EC Admissions & Records 1-800-522-6787 1-386-226-6910

DB Campus Information 1-386-226-6000

Distance Learning Enrollment Office 1-800-359-3728 1-386-226-6363

Financial Aid Office 1-386-226-6300 1-800-943-6279

University Veterans' Affairs Office 1-386-226-6350

WEBSITES

ERAU: www.db.erau.edu

ERAU VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE: www.erau.edu/veterans

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: www.gibill.va.gov

DVA EDUCATION BENEFIT EMAIL INQUIRIES: www.gibill.va.gov select
“ask a question and find answer”.

Time Training Chart

CHAPTER 
CHAPTER 30 –MGIB 
CHAPTER 31-VR 
CHAPTER 32 - VEAP 
COMMON NAME 
 Montgomery GI Bill - All Volunteer Force Education Program  Vocational Rehabilitation  Veterans Educational Assistance Program 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 
 First entered active duty 7/1/85 or later and completes initial obligated period of active duty of 2 yrs or more or who completes2 yrs of active duty and enters the selected reserves for 4 or more years. Certain Chapter 34 eligibles are entitled after 12/31/89.  Must have a service-connected disability rated at 10 percent or more which causes a demonstrable employment handicap.  Served on active duty for at least 181 continuous days and enlisted for the first time between 1/1/77 and 6/30/85 inclusive and signed up prior to 4/1/87 to make contributions, can dis-enroll and later re-enroll while on active duty. 
DELIMITING DATE 
 Within ten years from: the date last discharged from active duty Or the last day became entitled to this program, whichever is later.  Later of 12 years from last separation from active duty or from the date service connection is established.  10 years from date of last separation from active duty. 
PROGRAMS ALLOWED 
 Post-secondary programs offered at an IHL or NCD; correspondence, apprenticeship, OJT, cooperative training and flight training. eff. 9/30/90.  Any program deemed suitable by the Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling division.  High school (Veteran & in service enlisted), IHL, NCD, APP/OJT correspondence, cooperative training & flight eff. 4/1/94. 
TUTORIAL ASSIST. 
 YES  YES  YES 
WORK STUDY 
 YES  YES  YES 
EDUCATION LOAN 
 NO  YES  NO 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 Must possess a high schooldiploma or equivalent; veterans must have an honorable discharge. Service member's pay is reduced by $100/mt for the first 12 months. of enlistment (except for CH 34/30 converters). These pay reductions are not refundable under any circumstances. Officers who received commissions through the service academies or full ROTC scholarships after 12/31/76 are ineligible. (Exceptions voluntary & involuntary separations).    Most veterans must complete the shorter of 24 months continuous active duty or the full period called to active duty. (Exceptions: medical, hardship, convenience of the government discharges). Service persons must complete the lesser of 6 yrs or the first obligated period. 
APPLICATION FORM 
 VAF 22-1990  VAF 28-1900  VAF 22-1990 
OTHER REQ. FORMS 
 DD214 Member 4 (photocopy), ERAU Intention Form  DD214 Member 4 (photocopy), ERAU Intention Form  DD214 Member 4 (photocopy), ERAU Intention Form 

 

CHAPTER 
CHAPTER 34 
CHAPTER 35 – DEA 
CHAPTER 1606 – MGIB-SR 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS  Served on active duty for at least 181 continuous days, any part of which occurred between 2/1/55 and 12/31/76 inclusive, includes delayed enlistment contracts signed in 1976 for active duty in 1977.  Spouse and/or child or surviving spouse and/or child of a veteran with permanent and total service connected disability; or whose death was service connected; or who died of any cause while rated as having a permanent and total service connected disability.  Enlisted: Enlisted, re-enlisted, or extended their enlistment for a 6 yr period after 6/30/85. Officer: Added 6 years to their current obligation after 6/30/85. 
DELIMITING DATE  Program went out of existence on 1/1/90.  Spouse: Later of 10 years from rating of permanent and total service-connected disability or death. Child: Later of 26th birthday or 8 yrs from date eligibility established. Not to exceed 31st birthday.  Date of separation from the Selected Reserve or 10 years from the date original eligibility began. Those who became eligible after 10/01/92, the ten year eligibility date is changed to 14 years. 
PROGRAMS ALLOWED    Spouse only: Correspondence Spouse & Child: High School, IHL, NCD, OJT/APP, Co-op, Farm Co-op  Post-secondary prog. at an IHL; eff. 10/1/90 Coop trng., APT/OJT, Voc/Tech training program at an NCD, Corresp. trng, eff 9/30/90 Flight trng.eff. 11/30/93 Graduate training. 
TUTORIAL ASSIST.    YES  YES - eff. 10/29/92 
WORK STUDY    YES - eff. 5/1/90  YES - eff. 5/1/90 (Includes work at a military facility.) 
EDUCATION LOAN    YES - Spouse/surviving spouse only  NO 
MISCELLANEOUS  Individuals with eligibility for Chapter 34 who were on active duty on 10/19/84, and who remained on active duty through 6/30/88 may be eligible for benefits under Chapter 30.  Child is not eligible prior to 18th birthday unless they have passed the age of compulsory education. Child may be paid for pursuit of an approved regular high school prog.  Must earn a high schooldiploma or equivalent before completing initial active duty for training or before completing a re-enlistment or extended enlistment. Until 10/1/90 a baccalaureate degree is a bar. Must enlist, re-enlist, or extend reserve enlistment for a 6 yr. period after 10/1/90. 
APPLICATION FORM    VAF 22-5490  VAF 22-1990 
OTHER REQ. FORMS    ERAU Intention Form.  Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) (photocopy) ERAU Intention Form 

 

CHAPTER 
SECTION 901 
SECTION 903 
OMNIBUS DIPLOMATIC SECURITY AND ANTITERRORISM ACT OF 1986 
COMMON NAME  Educational Assistance Test Program  Educational Assistance Pilot  Hostage Relief Act 
    Program   
    (Non-Contributory VEAP)   
ELIGIBILITY  Enlisted or re-enlisted in the Army,  Same as for Section 901 plus  Individuals in the Civil Service of the 
REQUIREMENTS  Navy, Air Force, or Marines between 11/1/80 and 9/30/81 inclusive, or entered a delayed enlistment contract during that period and entered active duty prior to 10/1/82.  must not be eligible for Chapter 34 U.S. and individuals who rendered personal service to the U.S. similar to Civil Svc persons who have been placed in captive status because of hostile action resulting from the individual's relationship to the U.S
DELIMITING DATE  Veterans: 10 yrs from date of last separation from active duty Dependents: 10 yrs from date of death of the veteran; otherwise same as veteran's.  10 yrs from date of last separation from active duty.  Former Captive: 10 yrs from date of release from captivity. Spouse: The earlier of above or 10 yrs from date of death. ALSO see Misc. below 
PROGRAM ALLOWED  In-resident training offered in the United States and its possessions by accredited post-secondary institutions  except remedial and deficiency courses.  IHL, NCD, OJT/APP, Cooperative, Farm Cooperative, Correspondence, & Flight eff. 4/1/91 to 9/30/94.  Same as Chapter 35. 
TUTORIAL ASSIST.  NO  NO  NO 
WORK STUDY  NO  YES  NO 
EDUCATION LOAN  NO  NO  NO 
MISCELLANEOUS  Must possess high school diploma or equivalent, must serve 24 months of active duty or full period of enlistment(DOD may add other requirements). Participants may transfer entitlement to spouse or children. Claims are processed by Waco, TX  Transfer of entitlement to dependents is allowed. Claims are processed by the student's VARO)  VARO Baltimore handles all claims processing. Application is by letter to: Director General of the Foreign Service; Dept. of State, Washington, DC 20520 NOTE: Delimiting date for Dependent Child is same as for spouse except may not exceed child's 21st birthday. 
APPLICATION FORM  VAF 22-8889  VAF 22-1990  SEE "MISCELLANEOUS" ABOVE 
OTHER REQ. FORMS  ERAU Intention Form  ERAU Intention Form  ERAU Intention Form 

CHAPTER 
SECTION 156 
SVC MEMBERS OCCUPATIONAL CONVERSION & TRAINING ACT 
COMMON NAME 
Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) 
SMOCTA 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS  Surviving spouses or children of armed forces member who died while on active duty prior to 8/13/81 OR of veterans who died of service connected causes incurred or aggravated prior to 8/13/81.  Served on A/D for more than 90 days or less than 90 if discharged for S/C disability and released from A/D after 8/1/90. (see Misc. below for additional requirements) 
DELIMITING DATE  Child: Eligible from age 18 to 22. Spouse: Only when has child under their care between age 16 to 18.  Must have applied for the initial certificate of eligibility by 9/30/95, and must have started working by 3/31/96. 
PROGRAM ALLOWED  Full-time training in post-secondary school.  On-the-job training. 
TUTORIAL ASSIST.  NO  NO 
WORK STUDY  NO  NO 
EDUCATION LOAN  NO  NO 
MISCELLANEOUS 

Program temporally restores Social Security benefits eliminated by PL 97-35 (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981). Regional office having jurisdiction of the veteran's records, makes initial eligibility determination. 

Payments processed by St. Louis Regional Office. 

Payments are processed by the VARO Muskogee, OK. Eligibility continued from above Vet must also meet one of below: 

1). Has primary or secondary mts. listed as not transferred to civilian life. 

2). Has SCD rated by VA at 30% or more. 

3). Is and/has been unemployed for 8 of last 15 weeks. 
APPLICATION FORM  VAF 21-8924 & 8938  VAF 22-8932 (VETERANS) 
OTHER REQ. FORMS