Benefits & Programs

Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill—Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

• Chapter 30 students receive a monthly benefit based on a few factors (time of service, “kickers”, and type of training a student is taking). To get a clear picture of what a student’s monthly benefit would be, they should call the VA education hotline. 1-888-442-4551
• Note: no tuition/fees are paid directly to the school. The student is responsible for paying their tuition/fees in accordance with the Southwestern College Cashier’s drop for nonpayment. Fees are due upon registration in classes. If you are unable to pay your fees, you can sign up for a payment plan.  Unpaid fees may result in a drop for nonpayment before classes begin. To confirm the specific drop dates, please refer to the information provided in the class schedule.
• CH 30 students do not receive a book stipend, but they are eligible to receive tutoring assistance.
• Montgomery GI Bill® has a time limit of 10 years from the date of EAS.
• For more information and how to apply, please visit: Montgomery GI Bill

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Chapter 31 Veterans Readiness & Employment (VRE)

If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. How To Apply for Veteran Readiness and Employment | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
If I’m eligible for GI Bill benefits, can I get paid the Post-9/11 GI Bill subsistence rate for my VR&E program? If you’re participating in a VR&E program, you can choose to get paid the GI Bill subsistence rate instead of the Chapter 31 subsistence allowance rate if you meet both requirements.
Both must be true:
• You have at least 1 day of entitlement remaining under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and
• You’re within your GI Bill eligibility period.
Note: In most cases, the GI Bill rate is higher.

You’ll need to officially choose the GI Bill subsistence rates:
Check the current Chapter 31 subsistence allowance rates 
Check the current Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit rates

Will VA deduct my VR&E benefits from my VA education entitlement?
• If you use VR&E benefits, the VA won’t deduct entitlement from your other VA education benefits, like the Post 9/11 GI Bill or the Montgomery GI Bill.
• If you’ve used benefits under any other VA education program and then you use VR&E benefits, they’ll have to deduct from your remaining VR&E entitlement the amount of time used under the other VA education program.
• But if you already used other VA education benefits and we determine that you’re eligible for VR&E, we may retroactively approve your previous months of entitlement and return them to the other VA education program.

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Chapter 33 (Forever GI Bill® )
The Forever GI Bill® is an extension of the Post 9/11 GI Bill®
• Veterans that served on or after January 1, 2013, are granted an unlimited time limit to utilize their Post 9/11® educational benefits.
• Chapter 33 students receive a monthly housing allowance, a book stipend, tuition, and fees paid directly to the school, and tutoring assistance.
• At Southwestern College, Chapter 33 students are flagged in the system as an indicator ensuring they will not have to pay tuition and fees upfront.
• Chapter 33 dependents that have been transferred to the Chapter 33 entitlement are eligible for all the same benefits.
• For more information and how to apply, please visit: Apply for Chapter 33

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Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®)

Post 9/11 GI Bill® has a time limit of 15 years from the date of EAS if your EAS was before January 1st, 2013.
Chapter 33 students receive a monthly housing allowance, a book stipend, tuition, and fees paid directly to the school, and tutoring assistance.
Additionally, at Southwestern College, Chapter 33 students are flagged which ensures they will not have to pay tuition and fees upfront.
Chapter 33 dependents that have been transferred to the Chapter 33 entitlement are eligible for all the same benefits.
For more information and how to apply, please visit:
Chapter 33 - Apply for Chapter 33
Chapter 33D -Apply for Chapter 33D

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Chapter 35 Dependents Educational Assistance Program

• Chapter 35 is a benefit that is afforded to dependents when a service member (their sponsor) is 100% disabled due to service-connected disabilities or they are deceased (KIA or had 100% rating at the time of death).
• Children using this benefit generally need to be between the ages of 18-26. Spouses are eligible 10 years after the VA determines eligibility or 10 years after their spouse’s death.
• Chapter 35 students are allowed to use Veterans Priority Registration while they are using their Chapter 35 benefits.
• Note: No tuition/fees are paid directly to the school. The student is responsible for paying their tuition/fees in accordance with the Southwestern College Cashier’s drop for nonpayment. Fees are due upon registration in classes. If you are unable to pay your fees, you can sign up for a payment plan.  Unpaid fees may result in a drop in nonpayment before classes begin. SWC Cashier Department.  To confirm the specific drop dates, please refer to the information provided in the class schedule. Survivors and Dependents.
To find the most current pay rates for Chapter 35 recipients, please visit: Chapter 35 Rates For Survivors And Dependents | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

Cal Vet Fee Waiver - The College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. This program does not cover the expense of books, parking or room and board. There are four plans (Cal Vet Services) under which dependents of Veterans may be eligible. The waiver covers 1-year academic year from fall semester to fall semester.
1.) Apply for Cal Vet Fee Waiver: (form DSV 40)
• Fill out the Cal Vet Fee Waiver form and send it to the County Veterans Service Office (CVSO Locations) with the following attachments:
o Cal Vet Application --return to the California Department of Veteran Affairs
o Attach a copy of your birth certificate.
o Attach your CA 540 tax return.
o You should do this once a year, usually after taxes are done on April 15th.

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Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill Reserve

The Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606) program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve.
• The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, as well as the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
• Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.
• For more information and how to apply, please visit: Chapter 1606 application

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Tuition Assistance (TA) for Active Duty

Tuition Assistance is the Military’s Financial Assistance Program and helps cover tuition costs for courses for Active-Duty personnel. Tuition Assistance will cover 100% of your tuition up to $250 per semester credit hour. Cost of Tuition at Southwestern College is $46.00 per unit/credit.
Before Getting Started:
If you are planning on using Tuition Assistance (TA), please be sure to speak with the Base Education Center before enrolling into courses at Southwestern College.  The Base Education Center will assist you in the application process and help you understand the rules and regulations pertaining to the use of TA. TA Funds are a unique, distinct source of financial aid available to eligible Active Duty Service members, and the school will identify TA as a first payer. 

1. First time using TA?  Please be aware that TA will only cover ONE class the first time you use this assistance.
2. Cost of Tuition at Southwestern College is $46.00 per unit/credit (i.e., 4-unit course will be $184.00 total).
3. Navy- If it is your first-time using TA, you may be required to submit an education plan to get your request approved. You can get an education plan by making a Counseling Appointment with one of our Southwestern College Counselors.  Please call us to schedule an appointment.
4. For your first-time using TA, you will not be required to have an education plan.  You may be required to submit one your second time utilizing TA.  If that is the case, please call us to schedule a or click here: Counseling Appointment. 
5. Keep up your grades!  A’s and B’s will allow you to take more than two classes at a time, after your first time.  Please note that TA will not pay for classes that you receive an F, FW, or D grade.

Tuition Assistance at Southwestern College:
Read through the information below regarding using Tuition Assistance with Southwestern College. If you are using TA, please let us know! While you are waiting for your TA to be approved by your Educational Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within the military services prior to enrolling, we will put a hold on your account to prevent you from getting dropped from your course due to non-payment. This saves your seat in the course without being penalized for a non-payment.  
1. If you submitted a request for TA and it was not approved, you will be responsible for finding another source of payment. You are welcome to pay for the course out of pocket or apply for FAFSA to see if you qualify for State and/or Federal Aid.  To apply for FAFSA, please visit or the Southwestern College Financial Aid Department for assistance.
2. Please note that your Student Account will reflect that you still owe money for tuition until we have processed billing and received payment from TA. 
3. Note- TA will only cover tuition costs.  Any additional course fees associated with the course (i.e. Student Representation Fee, Health Fee, Course Fees, etc.) will have to be paid out of pocket.
4. You can pay any additional course fees separately, in-person at the Cashiers Office at the Main Campus.
5. As mentioned above, TA will not pay for classes that you received an F,  or D grade.  You will be responsible for paying for the class either to Southwestern College or to TA directly. If TA ends up paying Southwestern College, TA may request you to pay them directly.  If you know you will receive one of the grades listed above, we recommend cancelling your TA with the BEC and paying for your class directly to Southwestern College.
6. Dropping Classes- Depending on the time of your drop, you may have to pay for your course if it is after the refund deadline at Southwestern College (refund and grading timelines are located here Class Schedule).  Please visit Southwestern College’s Refund Policy for more information.
7. Military Withdraws- If you had to withdraw from a course due to military obligations, you will need to submit Military Withdraw letters to both TA and Southwestern College (general student petition) explaining the circumstances behind your situation.  These will need to be typed up, signed off by your Command, and turned in to Southwestern College with any supporting evidence. If approved, the TA will be responsible for paying for your course and you will receive an MW grade with Southwestern College.  Please note Military Withdraws are circumstantial and it is advised to speak with the Office Base Education Center if you think a Military Withdraw is necessary. (See Administrative 4225 for Military Withdrawal.)

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Tutoring Assistance

If you’re using VA educational assistance, and you’re struggling with the coursework, we may help you pay for a tutor. Find out how it works. You may be eligible for this benefit if you’re using VA educational assistance and you meet all these requirements.

All of these must be true:

1. You’re enrolled in an educational program for half-time or more, and
2. You’re taking a course that’s difficult, and
3. You have to take the course as part of your educational program
Note: The VA won’t pay more than $100 per month for tutoring, and won’t pay more than $1,200 total.

How do I get this benefit?

Your course instructor (or teacher) at your school must agree that you need a tutor and write a letter on your behalf. The instructor should send the letter to your school’s certifying official and add a copy to your VA student file.
If your school approves your need for a tutor, it will assign you a tutor and confirm the tutor’s hourly pay.
After you get tutoring, you, your tutor, and your school’s certifying official must fill out and sign an Application for Individualized Tutorial Assistance (VA Form 22-1990t). If you’re using the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, your instructor must also sign section 18 of this form: Download VA Form 22-1990t (PDF)
The form must be signed and dated on or after the date of the last certified tutoring session (item 12b on the form).
If you’re using the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB), you can get up to $600 before we charge your benefits. If you’re using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), we won’t charge your GI Bill® benefits.

Note: Reservists using the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) benefit can’t get tutorial assistance.

For more information, please visit: Tutor Assistance

 

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Veteran Work Study

Find out how our Veterans work-study program can help you earn money while you’re enrolled in a college, a vocational school, or professional training program.
Am I eligible to take part in the Veterans work-study program?
You may be eligible to take part in our work-study program if you meet all these requirements.

All of these must be true:

You’re enrolled at least three-quarter time in a college degree, vocational, or professional program, and
You have found an open job either at a nearby VA facility or in a VA-related role at your school, and
You can finish the work-study contract while you still qualify for education benefits, and
You’re using an approved VA education benefits program to pay for your education or training.

Approved VA education benefits programs include:

Post-9/11 GI Bill® for Veterans
Post-9/11 GI Bill® for family members using transferred benefits
Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
(Note: Dependents who qualify under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 may use work study only while enrolled at a school in one of the 50 states.)
National Call to Service
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
For more information and how to apply, please visit: VA Workstudy

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While receiving VA Educational Benefits, students may be concurrently enrolled at more than one school during the same semester. Whichever school the student is pursuing a degree from is considered the Parent School. The other school is considered the Secondary School. Southwestern Students must fill out a “Veterans Affairs Office Parent School letter” form at Veterans Services.  If you are attending another institution and wish to receive benefits as a Guest Student for a course at Southwestern College, an authorization form/letter from Veterans Services at your Parent School is required. This form/letter states that the courses taken at the Secondary School will be credited toward the current major the student is pursuing. All “Guest Students” are responsible for contacting the Secondary School's Veterans Office to file required forms, the Parent School Course Approval Letter is usually mailed or faxed between colleges. The Secondary School will complete the certification for Guest Student benefits.

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The SWC Summer and January sessions are composed of terms that are considered "non-standard" by the DVA. This means that none of them are the traditional length of a semester (16 weeks). Any term which is not the 16-week traditional semester length like Summer terms, Fast-Track, or special program terms, will have the value of its credits adjusted by the DVA when they determine the training time/rate of pursuit for benefit purposes. Generally, courses shorter than a semester are "worth" more toward training time than a full-term course, but how they are counted up can be tricky.

Starting with Spring 2016, SWC shifted the Spring term dates. Now, instead of starting in January, Spring will start in early February. In order to help veteran students continue their education and not incur the loss of BAH for a month-and-a-half over the winter, SWC has created a special four-week-long intersession term in January.

Because this is a "non-standard" term in VA parlance, the number of units that it takes to reach full-time status are modified in a somewhat complex manner. Only the DVA can determine equivalency and rate of pursuit: schools are expressly forbidden to make any claims about course loads.

Based on conversations with the DVA and the Certifying Handbook, the following table represents a reasonable estimate of what course load must be taken to qualify as half- or full-time in order to get benefits.

January 2023 Intersession Term - Equivalence of a 4-Week Term

Non -33 Credits	Load	Chp. 33 Credits	Load
> or equal to 3	FT	> or equal to 4	FT
2	3/4	3	3/4
1	< 1/2	2	< 1/2

The SWC Summer and January sessions are composed of terms that are considered "non-standard" by the DVA. This means that none of them are the traditional length of a semester (16 weeks). Any term which is not the 16-week traditional semester length like Summer terms, Fast-Track, or special program terms, will have the value of its credits adjusted by the DVA when they determine the training time/rate of pursuit for benefit purposes. Generally, courses shorter than a semester are "worth" more toward training time than a full-term course, but how they are counted up can be tricky.

Starting with Spring 2016, SWC shifted the Spring term dates. Now, instead of starting in January, Spring will start in early February. In order to help veteran students continue their education and not incur the loss of BAH for a month-and-a-half over the winter, SWC has created a special four-week-long intersession term in January.

Because this is a "non-standard" term in VA parlance, the number of units that it takes to reach full-time status are modified in a somewhat complex manner. Only the DVA can determine equivalency and rate of pursuit: schools are expressly forbidden to make any claims about course loads.

Based on conversations with the DVA and the Certifying Handbook, the following table represents a reasonable estimate of what course load must be taken to qualify as half- or full-time in order to get benefits.

January 2023 Intersession Term - Equivalence of a 4-Week Term

Non -33 Credits	Load	Chp. 33 Credits	Load
> or equal to 3	FT	> or equal to 4	FT
2	3/4	3	3/4
1	< 1/2	2	< 1/2

The Spring term will continue as normal with a first and
second Fast Track period standing in early February.

You should always be concerned with how your training time is calculated as that determines the level of benefits you are entitled to. Especially for Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) recipients, it can mean the difference between receiving BAH or not. The DVA will perform calculations on such non-standard terms where classes aren't the same length as a standard semester (16 week) course. Still, there are a few rules to keep in mind that will keep you out of trouble.

1. You have to remember that the DVA looks at your course load and determines training time based on a day-by-day analysis of the number of credible courses being taken each day.
2. Non-standard classes are generally taken at an accelerated rate and are counted as being "worth more" in terms of standard equivalent credits than their stated units would imply. However we do have a few courses that are longer than a standard term and they will actually be worth less!
3. To determine what your training time (course load) would be you need to first convert all non-standard classes into standard equivalents, then overlay those credits on a calendar and sum them up (sounds harder than it really is).

Step One: Convert all non-standard terms/courses into standard equivalents. Again, this is only an estimate; the DVA will determine this using a calculation. You don't have to do the math - for our estimating purposes, you can do the same thing for Chapter 33 using conversion table below (other programs have a slightly different conversion table). Look up the credit equivalent for each of your non-standard classes and write them down.

Chapter 33 Semester Equivalency Table

Weeks ⇒	14	13	12	11	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3
Credits ⇓
10	12.9
9	11.6	12.5
8	10.3	11.1	12.0	13.1
7	9.0	9.7	10.5	11.5	12.6
6	7.7	8.3	9.0	9.8	10.8	12.0	13.5
5	6.4	6.9	7.5	8.2	9.0	10.0	11.2	12.9
4	5.1	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.2	8.0	9.0	10.3	12.0	14.4
3	3.9	4.2	4.5	4.9	5.4	6.0	6.7	7.7	9.0	10.8	13.5
2	2.6	2.8	3.0	3.3	3.6	4.0	4.2	5.1	6.0	7.2	9.0	12.0
1	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6	1.8	2.0	2.3	2.6	3.0	3.6	4.5	6.0

Step Two: Overlay each course by calendar dates to sum up your equivalent course load on a day-for-day basis (this can be done very simply with a timeline). Sum up the course equivalents to find your training load from period to period.

Let's do an example so you can see how this works. Leon has signed up for three classes: a full-term three-unit class, a first fast-track class of three units, and a second fast-track class of two units. Does Leon have sufficient credits to receive BAH under Chapter 33 - in other words, when is Leon considered to be pursuing more than half-time training time so that he can start drawing his BAH?

Leon registered for class, immediately declared his classes online with Veteran Services, and reported the following:

Class Declarations for Leon

Course	Start Date	End Date	Weeks	Credits
BIOL 130 01	24 AUG	12 DEC	18 (Full term)	3
HIST 100 502	24 AUG	17 OCT	8 (Fast-Track I)	3
EMT 109 303	19 OCT	12 DEC	8 (Fast-Track II)	2

Luckily Leon did submit his SEP in a timely manner. All of his classes were degree-related and approved for payment. All the classes except for BIOL 130 are non-standard terms and must be standardized with the table. We use the table and we come up with:

Class Credit Equivalents for Leon

Course	Start Date	End Date	Credits	Equivalent Credits
BIOL 130 01	24 AUG	12 DEC	3	3 (Full term - no change)
HIST 100 502	24 AUG	17 OCT	3	6.7
EMT 109 303	19 OCT	12 DEC	2	4.2

Now we have to put these onto a time line:

Leon's Credit Timeline

	24 Aug	17 Oct	19 Oct	12 Dec
Classes / Training Time			EMT 109 (4.2 Cr.) /7.2 Cr. (BAH YES)
	HIST 100 (6.7 Cr.) /9.7 Cr. (BAH YES)
	BIO 130 (3 Cr.) /9.7 Cr. (BAH YES)

So you can see that because Leon used both fast-track periods, he was fine: he maintained over six adjusted units ("greater than 50%") and was eligible for BAH. Break pay will continue the BAH benefit until the next period (the gap where BAH could be lost is where the asterisk is shown - but since the gap is fewer than three days the DVA will continue paying BAH).

But what if Leon had decided to take a different section of HIST-100? He wants -502 instead of -501. It is the same class, so it is still approved for benefits and he is taking the same number of units that term, but would Leon still get BAH for the whole term? Section 502 meets from 19 Oct - 12 Dec (still eight weeks long but the course occurs at a different section of the timeline). Now his timeline looks like this:

Leon's New Credit Timeline

Dates:	24 Aug	19 Oct	12 Dec
Classes/Training Time		EMT 109 (4.2 Cr.)/13.9 Cr. (BAH YES)
		HIST 100 (6.7 Cr.)/13.9 Cr. (BAH YES)
	BIO 130 (3 Cr.)/3.0 Cr. (BAH NO)

Leon took the same classes as before and might think that his eight SWC units (showing that overall he was above half-time) would entitle him to BAH for the term: but he would be wrong! Leon loses his BAH for the first two months of the term because of the way the class dates laid out the adjusted credits!

The general rule is that if you do not have sufficient full-term credits (over six - "greater than 50%") to gain Chapter 33 BAH benefits, and you need fast-track classes to gain BAH, you should take approved classes in both fast-track periods to maintain BAH payment for the entire term.

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Beginning with courses starting after December 17, 2021 all Post 9/11 users are required to verify enrollment to the VA each month. If you fail to submit your monthly enrollment verification for two consecutive months, your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) will be stopped until you verify your enrollment. Please contact the VA Education Call Center to ensure your information is updated: 1 (888) 442-4551.  If you already signed up for text you should be receiving text messages fro 1 (855) 933-1416

Veteran students who receive benefits under Chapters 30 or 1606 must verify their enrollment on or after the last day of each month. Veterans receive an award letter from the VA Regional Processing Center in Muskogee, OK, after certification of enrollment in authorized courses. Once this is received, the student can self-certify. To insure prompt payment of benefits you must remember to certify every month, even if your class(es) ended before the end of the month. The earliest that verification can be done is the last day of the month. Monthly verification (self-certification) can be done via one of the following two ways: Internet - WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment): Easiest and shows detailed information about YOUR benefits. Follow this link for more information.

Telephone - Using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1 (877) 823-2378

Failure to self-certify every month will lead to your benefits being delayed or suspended.

Please be aware that Federal holidays and filing your Intent Form late, may delay the initial Certification Process and thus, timely deposit of your benefits. You are encouraged to plan accordingly and keep at least a month’s benefits in reserve at your financial institution to prevent problems, especially if your benefits provide the majority of your income.

 

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Direct deposit of your monthly VA educational benefits payment is available for Chapter 30, 31, 33, and 1606  recipients. This option allows faster receipt of monthly benefits, and work study payments. It also decreases the chance of missing, lost or stolen checks.  If you did not request direct deposit when you applied for benefits, you may initiate the process at any time by calling the VA at: 1 (877) 838-2778:  Monday – Friday 5:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. – Pacific Time.

You need to provide your VA file number, 9 digit bank routing number, and checking or savings account number.  To cancel or change direct deposit or home address, fill out Form 20-572 at Veterans Services. We will fax your request to the VA Regional Office in Muskogee, OK.

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Rates depend upon amount contributed and/or length of time in service (Number of months of contribution), as well as enrollment status. Inquire at Veterans Services or GI Bill^® website for current pay rates for each chapter.

Undergraduate Enrollment Status by Number of Credits

Semester	Full Time Enrollment	3/4 Time Enrollment	1/2 Time Enrollment
Fall and Spring	12.0+	9.0 - 11.5	6.0 - 8.5

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If you are having difficulty in any of your classes, you should first talk to your professor.  If the difficulty is other than that which can be addressed by tutoring, you should make an appointment with a Counselor.  Through the VA, up to $1200 is available for Individualized Tutorial Assistance.  You must be receiving VA education benefits at half-time rate or more.  If you have a deficiency in a subject necessitating private tutoring, beyond Tutoring/Learning Assistance services available on campus, students can be reimbursed for payments to a qualified tutor. The first $600 does not count against your benefits award.  For questions regarding VA tutorial assistance, and to get a copy of Form 22-1990, contact Veterans Service.  Students will need to provide documentation from their instructor identifying their need for tutoring, the qualifications of, and fees paid to the tutor, to apply for reimbursement.

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