Frequently Asked Questions

A veteran, after attempting 12 credit hours or more with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of less than 2.0, will not be considered to be making satisfactory progress. The subsequent two (2) semesters or sessions will be the probation period. Failure to raise the GPA to a 2.0 during this period will result in certification being suspended. Written notification will be forwarded to Veterans Affairs and to the veteran. A veteran who enrolls half-time or more and who fails or withdraws from all subjects will be considered to be making unsatisfactory progress (except where there are extenuating circumstances). Similar lack of progress during the probation period will result in certification being suspended.

A veteran who fails a course (receives a failing grade or a grade less than the lowest grade required for completion of the course for graduation) may repeat the course one time and receive veterans benefits if the institution requires satisfactory completion of the course as part of the core curriculum for graduation. When a veteran has accumulated credits that would result in the granting of a degree to the veteran and for which the degree has been certified to Veterans Affairs during the period of attendance in the institution, the veteran will be considered as having met the degree requirements and further financial benefit will be terminated unless the veteran has not otherwise fulfilled graduation requirements. One additional term or semester will be authorized for the veteran to meet those graduation requirements. The concern on the part of the Veterans Affairs is that a student does not continually enroll at various institutions and accumulate college credit simply for the purpose of receiving benefits.

Additionally, veterans must submit their schedule as well as the Statement of Veteran Benefits and Veteran's Responsibility form to the Veteran Services Office each semester. Failure to accomplish this will result in late payment from the VA. If a schedule is submitted late, benefits will begin again once Veteran Services is notified.

Full-time enrollment is not required to receive education benefits. If you are unable to attend full-time, consider going part-time. Benefit rates for part-time training are less than the full-time rates. Likewise, the entitlement charge for part-time training is less than the charge for full-time training. For example, if you're enrolled for 1/2 time training, you'll receive 72 months of benefits instead of 36. However, your monthly payment will be 1/2 of that paid for full-time enrollment.

If you are receiving Chapter 33 benefits, you must be enrolled in 6.5 credits or more during the fall and winter semesters and 4 credits or more in the spring and summer to be eligible for BAH. Review the Current Rates for each program here.

• Benefits end 10 years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty for Chapters 30, 31, 1606, and 1607.
• Children of veterans using Chapter 35 benefits are eligible until the age of 26.
• If you are a spouse of a veteran using Chapter 35, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran.
• Benefits end 15 years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty for Chapter 33.
  
  Forever GI Bill ® ^[1]:
  
  The law removes the time limitation for the use of Post-9/11 GI Bill ® ^[1] benefits for individuals whose last discharge or release from active duty is on or after January 1, 2013, children of deceased Service members who first become entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill ® ^[1] program benefits on or after January 1, 2013, and all Fry spouses.
  
  All others remain subject to the current 15-year time limitation for using their Post-9/11 GI Bill ® ^[1] benefits.

VA can extend your 10-year period by the amount of time you were prevented from training during the period due to a disability. If your discharge is upgraded by the military, the 10-year period begins on the date of the upgrade.

If you are eligible based upon two years of active duty and four years in the Selected Reserve, you have 10 years from your release from active duty, or 10 years from the completion of the four-year Selected Reserves obligation to use your benefits, whichever is later.

You may receive benefits for a wide variety of training.

• Undergraduate Degree
• Independent study program leading to a standard college degree
• Courses leading to a certificate in Law Enforcement or Corrections
• Refresher, remedial and deficiency training

Although the VA Office in St. Louis gives MCC a 30 day grace period, we strive to process your certification in five business days. After MCC certifies your classes it takes the VA an additional 4-6 weeks.

The Department of Veteran Affairs processes all entitlements on the first of each month. Given processing time, please allow 5-7 business day for your payment to arrive.

There could be a couple of different reasons for this:

1. Monthly entitlements are prorated and paid to date.

   Ex: school starts on 1/14/12. The veteran will only receive payment for the days that he/she is in class (1/14/12 — 1/31/12).

2. The pursuit of training is different.

   Ex: A veteran will be paid 100% of his/her benefits for a given month while pursuing full time classes (12+ credit hours). A veteran will be paid 50% of his/her benefits for a given month while pursuing half time classes (6,7, or 8 credit hours).

Direct deposit can be set up by contacting the Direct Deposit center at (877) 838-2778 or you may set it up in your WAVE account.

No. Any veterans' benefits paid under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should not be reported as income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You will not receive a W-2 from the VA.

If you are determined eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® ^[1] by the VA then your benefits may be transferable to your dependents. Read additional information here.