U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Education Benefit ProgramProgram RequirementsEnrolment Verifications Chapter 30, Chapter 33 and 1606 students are required to verify their monthly enrolment beginning on the last day of the current month. If your status is full-time, state you are enrolled for 12 credits. You have two methods of doing this: Web Automated Verification of Enrolment (WAVE) or through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) by calling 1-877-823-2378. Change in Student Status It is the student’s responsibility to notify the VA Certifying Official if you reduce your hours of enrolment by withdrawing from a course, terminate your enrolment, or make any other changes that would affect your payment status. If you withdraw or drop a course, you may have to repay all or part of the benefits you received for the course(s). Please note that as an international student studying in Australia you must comply with the conditions of your student visa. For example, you must maintain equivalent full time enrolment. For more information please go to the following link to the relevant Australian Immigration / visa legislation. Withdrawal A withdrawal from the University or a course drop may result in retroactive loss of benefits. The reduction in training time reverts back to the beginning date of enrolment for that semester unless VA finds mitigating circumstances in the case of withdrawals and drops. VA benefit recipients who drop or withdraw will be responsible for providing any documentation of mitigating circumstances to the VA. Mitigating circumstances as defined by VA include but are not limited to: Serious illness of veteran or eligible person.
Serious illnesses or death in immediate family.
Immediate family or financial obligation that requires a change in terms, hours, or place of employment.
Discontinuance of a course by a school.
Active military duty.
Veteran or eligible person demonstrates good faith in the pursuit of the course to the point of withdrawal and submits evidence that, through counselling, an attempt was made to remedy the unsatisfactory work with withdrawal.
Other circumstances hindering progress that are beyond the student's control.
The DVA will reduce or terminate benefits either on the actual withdrawal date or on the first date of the term, depending on the situation. If the student withdraws after the 30th day of the term but still within the school's drop period, the school official must report the withdrawal as occurring after the drop period. Failure to notify your VA Certifying Official of changes in enrolment may result in an overpayment of benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs determines and collects overpayments from you. Change of Address It is the responsibility of the student to update any change of address with Bond University through eStudent. You are also required to mail a change of address form (VA Form 572) to the DVA. Incomplete Grades A not available, deferred or supplementary assessment(s) grade for both undergraduate and graduate students must be converted to a permanent grade within one year from the date it is assigned or benefits for that course will be terminated which may result in an overpayment liability. Graduate research courses are excluded from this provision. Repeating a SubjectThe DVA will not pay you to repeat a course(s) for which you have received a passing grade (P or higher), whether the course was taken at Bond University or at another institution of higher learning. It is your responsibility to notify your VA Certifying Official if you are repeating a course under approved circumstances. If proper notification is not provided, an overpayment may occur and YOU will be held liable for repayment. Non - required Subjects VA education benefits may not be paid for subjects not required to meet minimum graduation requirements (even if your instructor advises it would be nice for you to take the class). Quoting from Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 21.7222: “(b) Courses outside a program of education: VA will not pay educational assistance for an enrollment in any course which is not part of a veteran's or service member's program of education unless the veteran or service member is enrolled in refresher courses (including courses which will permit the veteran or service member to update knowledge and skills or be instructed in the technological advances which have occurred in the veteran's or service member's field of employment), deficiency courses, or other preparatory or special education or training courses necessary to enable the veteran or service member to pursue an approved program of education.” (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3034, 3452(b); Pub. L. 98–525) (Aug. 15, 1989)
The above regulation applies to students utilizing Chapters 30, 32, 35, 1606 education benefits. Policy for Students Called To Active Duty If, as a member of a National Guard unit, Reserve Component, or as a discharged veteran, you are called to active duty, immediately contact your Division and the VA Certifying Officer immediately. You will be required to provide a copy of your orders to each area.
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