Veteran Services at Palo Verde College
The Veteran Services Office at Palo Verde College serves as an intermediary with the Department of Veteran Affairs, assisting veterans, their spouses, and dependents in accessing educational benefits. Eligibility for these benefits is contingent upon qualification for Veterans education programs and completion of the enrollment certification process. For detailed eligibility criteria, application guidance, and additional veteran services and resources, please reach out to the Veterans Certifying Official located in the PVC Financial Aid Office at (760) 921-5536.
Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Educational Assistance
As an institution sanctioned by the Department of Veteran Affairs, Palo Verde College facilitates education benefit programs. The Veteran Services Office at Palo Verde College oversees the validation of benefit eligibility under Title 38 of the US Code (Chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 35) for veterans, their dependents, and members of the Reservist and National Guard under Title 10 (Chapters 1606 and 1607). The processing of the initial application via VA form 22-1990 or the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) may require up to 60 days for the Department of Veteran Affairs to ascertain eligibility. Application information can be found online on the Department of Veterans Affairs website. Student veterans are required to fulfill Palo Verde College’s admission criteria and adhere to the College’s Academic Standards of Progress to sustain their educational status.
Enrollment Certification and Course Limitations for Student Veterans
Course certification is conducted after submitting a ‘Veteran Statement of Responsibility’ form and any requisite documentation to the Veteran Services Office. Certification is limited to courses essential for the student’s designated program of study. Students may self-fund or utilize alternative financial resources, such as financial aid or scholarships, for courses beyond those mandated for their program. Under these circumstances, students must inform the Veteran Services Office of their decisions regarding enrollment.
Benefits
Veterans receive educational assistance based on their enrollment certification status for a certified period. In a traditional semester (18 weeks in length), the number of enrolled units determines enrollment status (i.e., full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, and less than half-time). Enrollment status is defined as the following:
Fall or Spring Semester
- Full-time: 12 units or more
- Three-quarter-time: 9-11 units
- Half-time: 6-8 units
Veterans at half-time status or higher will receive a monthly benefit check. The monthly benefit rate varies by students’ enrollment status and education chapter. Up to date pay charts are available online at https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/
Degree Plans
Students must ensure they are certified for the necessary courses within their chosen program of study or major. It is imperative that students select a Veteran Affairs-approved program of study prior to class registration. Each degree program is sanctioned for a definitive number of credit hours. Students will not receive certification or financial support from Veterans Affairs for courses that exceed the approved program length. Funding from Veterans Affairs is exclusively allocated for mandatory classes within the sanctioned programs. Furthermore, individuals possessing a Baccalaureate Degree or higher are only eligible to pursue an Occupational Degree or Certificate with Veterans Affairs approval.
Academic Standards
Students who withdraw from a course and receive a grade of Withdrawal (W) are obligated to reimburse the Veterans Affairs retroactively at the beginning of the term. Additionally, the last date of attendance for each course from which a student withdraws will be reported to Veterans Affairs.
It is imperative for all students to uphold a minimum 2.0 GPA to ensure ongoing certification. Those failing to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress or maintain their academic standing will have their certification suspended until they rectify the reasons for their academic disqualification. Furthermore, should a student earn a failing grade (F), it may necessitate reporting their last day of attendance to Veterans Affairs. This reporting requirement also applies to students on academic probation or suspension. In instances where military obligations prevent a student from completing a course, the Director of Admissions Records will issue a military withdrawal (MW). Active or reserve military personnel must provide their orders to the Director of Admissions Records to receive an MW designation, which does not affect progress probation considerations.
Veterans currently enrolled are eligible for 3.0 units of credit in Health Education and Physical Education each. To receive these credits, veterans must present official documentation verifying at least one year of military service to the Admissions and Records Office. Military courses will undergo an evaluation for course equivalency based on the American Council of Education (ACE) recommendations or accreditation from a military institution. The academic transcript will reflect these units as awarded for military service, with veterans receiving a “CR” grade for each unit granted.
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