Veteran’s Benefits

Standards for Veterans. Any student receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration will be counseled by the certifying official about benefits, credit load, withdrawal procedures, remedial and tutorial assistance, and his/her own responsibilities in these matters. He/she will then have his/her enrollment form approved by the Veteran’s Affairs Office (VAO) during each registration. Satisfactory Progress: Any veteran receiving educational benefits from the Veterans Administration is expected to progress satisfactorily toward an educational goal and must meet the following standards:

Any veteran whose GPA is 1.75 or below in any given semester will be placed on scholastic probation and will be required to receive special counseling by the certifying official before registering the next semester.
VA educational benefits will be terminated for any veteran whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.00 for two consecutive semesters.
A “W” will be reported to the Veterans Administration only if it affects a veteran’s enrollment status.
A 2.00 GPA is required at the completion of degree or certificate.

The Financial Aid Director can assist with the application process and certify students through the VA online. For information students may access the official website of the Department of Veterans Affairs Educational Service at https://www.va.gov/new-home-page or call 1-888-442-4551.

Pending VA Payment

Allowing Veterans to Attend or Participate in Courses Pending VA Payment Background Section 103 of Public Law (PL) 115-407, ‘Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018,’ amends Title 38 US Code 3679 by adding a new subsection (e) that requires disapproval of courses of education, beginning August 1, 2019, at any educational institution that does not have a policy in place that will allow an individual to attend or participate in a course of education, pending VA payment, providing the individual submits a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33.

Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Fort Peck Community College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®(Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Fort Peck Community College will not:

Prevent the student’s enrollment;
Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
Provide a written request to be certified;
Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.