West Virginia Northern Community College is an approved institution through which men and women who have served in the Armed Forces can receive veterans' benefits.  Also eligible are dependents and spouses of veterans whose death or permanent and total disability was service connected.  Eligibility now extends to persons who, on or after July 1, 1985, have enlisted, reenlisted or extended enlistment in the Selected Reserve for six years or more and meet certain other criteria. Eligible students who attend classes on at least a part-time basis will receive a monthly assistance allowance. 

     Veterans who have completed at least one full year of military service may be eligible to receive two hours of physical education activity credit. To determine eligibility, contact the Veterans Coordinator.

Program Approval

All programs which lead to an associate degree are approved for Veterans Administration (VA) educational assistance. Also included for assistance are a few non-college degree or certificate programs. Veterans interested in these programs should consult the Veterans Coordinator for more information.

Not approved for VA assistance are Community and Continuing Education courses, continuing education unit classes, courses unrelated to or not counted toward graduation requirements and some programs which lead to a certificate.

Procedures for Obtaining

Veterans' Educational Assistance

ADMISSION

Complete an application for regular student sttus and submit to the Admissions and Registration Office.  

1. Select a program of study (a requirement for VA Benefits.)
2. Submit a copy of your high school transcripts.
3. Take the placement test if you did not take the ACT/SAT
4. Submit college transcripts from all other accredited institutions.  These transcripts must be sent directly from the transfer institutions.  Hand-carried transcripts will not be accepted.
5. If beneftis have been used before, the student must complete a Form 22-1995 or Form 22-5495
6. VETERAN EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS "DO NOT" HOLD STUDENTS IN THEIR CLASSES.  OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES MUST BE IN PLACE IN ORDER FOR THE VETERAN TO BE HELD IN THEIR CLASSES.

REGISTRATION

1. Only students who have received a letter of admission may register.
2. Academic Advisors and Counselors will assist in planning a class schedule.  Have them indicate whether or not the course is part of the student's program of study.  (Only those courses within the student's program of study are eligible to count toward veterans benefits.)

PROGRAM SELECTION

1. Veterans receiving VA Benefits may select any program leading to a degree offered at WVNCC upon approval from the Veterans' Services Office.  Only one program may be pursued under certification for benefits.  If the veteran decides to major in two programs at the same time, only one will be certified.
2. Veterans' may receive VA benefits for a second degree and for courses taken after completition of a first degree.
3. Veterans may change a program of study and continue to receive benefits if the new program is aproved by VA.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

The VA requires veterans receiving benefits to attend all scheduled class meetings.  Failure to do so result in theloss of benefits and pay back of veterans benefits already received for the semester in question.

VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

The following must be submitted for the certification process to begin.  No forms will be accepted individually.  It is the veteran's responsibility to assemble all needed materials and submit them to WVNCC Veteran Affairs Office.

Applicants Under Chapters 30 & 34

1. New applicants complete VA Form 22-1990 or,
2. Transfer students must complete VA Form 22-1995.
3. Submit copies of DD214-Report of Separation

Applicants Under Chapter 31

    1.  Voc Rehab counselor sends VA 28-1905 authorization form

Applicants Under Chapter 32 (VEAP)

1. New applicants complete VA Form 22-100 or,
2. Transfer students complete VA Form 22-1995.
3. Submit copy of DD214-Report of Separation

Applicants Under Chapter 35

    1.  New Applicants complete VA Form 22-5490  

Applicants Under Chapter 1606 (Reserves)

1. New applicants complete VA Form 22-100 or,
2. Transfer students complete VA Form 22-1995.

Applicants Under Chapter 1607 (REAP)

1. New applicants complete VA Form 22-1990 or,
2. Transfer students must complete VA Form 22-1995.

All Applicants Under All Chapters

Must submit each academic year:

1. WVNCC Veteran's Information Packet
2. WVNCC Veteran's Fact Sheet
3. Additional forms as requested

Payment

The first check should arrive SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS after the first day of classes or later if the veteran should apply for certification after classes begin or dosen't have their paperwork in promptly.

Information about qualifying pay rates and payment dates for Chapter 30,34,32, and 1606 are available only through direct contact between the student and the Department of Veteran's Affairs.  Pay rates and payment dates for Chapter 1607 are available only through direct contact between the student and Department of Defense.  Go to:  www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-442-4551.

CERTIFICATION USING VETERANS' STANDARDS OF PROGRESS

Veterans' Services will not pay educational benefits if one of the following should occur:

1. The veteran registers for classes that are not specified as necessary for the declared program of study.  Depending on circumstances, deficiency or remedial courses, may be certified for benefits.
2. The veteran fails to submit all previous college transcripts for evaluation.
3. The veteran registers for two or more courses and receives "I" for all courses for one semester.
4. The veteran fails to convert an "I" grade to a letter grade within one semester from recepit of the "I" grade.
5. The veteran fails to attend class for the semester for which VA benefits are received.
6. The veteran fails to achieve the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for two consecutive semesters or sessions.

The veteran, like all students at this chool will be placed on academic probation during the first semester or session the minimum cumulative GPA is not achieved.  By the end of the probation semester, the veteran must attain the minimum cumulative GPA.  The college cannot certify the veteran for benefits until a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 has been achieved.

DEPENDENTS QUALIFYING FOR ELIGIBILITY

All questions concerning child and/or spouse eligibility are to be referred to www.gi.bill.va.gov or you can call 1-888-442-4551.

OTHER BENEFITS

Tutorial Assistance

A veteran is eligible to receive up to $600 for tutorial assistance if approved by Veterans' Services.  Chapter 1606 applicants will not be paid for receiving tutorial assistnce.

Work-Study

The work-study program allows a VA student to earn the Federal or State minimum wage (whichever is higher) for up to 1,300 hours per year (25 hours per week.)  The benefit is tax free and allows each VA student to "earn while he or she learns" while he or she is pursuing an approved post-secondary program of education on at least a three-quarter time basis.

The VA work-study student may only perform VA related work.  This work might include preparing and processing VA enrollment certifications, checking VA student attendance records, or checking for course changes.

ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS

WVNCC certifies your enrollment status, programs, and academic progress.  All questions concerning payment are to be referred to the Department of Veterans' Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 or by sending an electronic inquiry by going to www.gibill.va.gov.

DIRECT DEPOSIT

EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) processing, also known as "Direct Deposit," is now available to recipients for several of the VA education benefit programs.  To find out if you can use Direct Deposit, or to stop or change your Direct Deposit call 1-877-838-2778 or visit www.gibill.va.gov.

     Veterans wishing to enter West Virginia Northern Community College should contact the Campus Counselor or Campus Service Center to initiate their admissions application.  Then contact the veteran affairs certifying official for the proper procedure to get their educational benefits processed. 

     If veterans are eligible, they can be certified before enrollment in order to expedite receiving the first benefit check which takes 160 days to process once the Department of Veteran Affairs receives their certification.  If certification is requested prior to enrollment, veterans must do so at least six weeks before classes begin.  If enrollment certification is requested on the day of registration, students should anticipate a delay of 6 to 10 weeks before receiving the first benefit check. 

     All information on benefits and questions regarding procedures for certification should be directed to the Office of Veterans Affairs. Additional information can be obtained from the VA website .

Restrictions