Veterans Education Benefits

For complete information on eligibility, students should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs by calling 1-800-442-4551 or by going to the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov. Students planning to attend GSTC using Veterans Benefits should consult the Financial Aid Office prior to enrollment. All programs of study must be approved by the State Approving Agency in order to be certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs for payment of benefits. As a student receiving Veterans Benefits, you are responsible for immediately notifying the VA Certifying Official of any changes in your program or reduction in your clock hours for any term.

In accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, a covered student may attend or participate in a course of education, pending VA payment, provided the student submits a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance. A covered individual is defined as any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill®.

GI Bill®  is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp

Students using Veterans Benefits to pay for their tuition are considered self-payers since the VA pays the student directly, not the institution (unless the student is using Post-9/11 - Chapter 33 benefits). At the time of enrollment, veterans are responsible for their tuition payments, even if they have not received their first VA check. Deferment options are available. Contact the VA Certifying Official for details.

Out-of-State Fee Waiver

Per Florida statute, out-of-state fees shall be waived for the following:

• Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed and Reserve Forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy) and the National Guard (Army and Air) or any other student who is entitled to and uses educational assistance provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs who physically resides in Florida while enrolled as a degree or certificate seeking student.

• Active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States residing or stationed outside of Florida who are enrolled as a degree or certificate seeking student.

Credit for Previous Training

VA students are required to transfer previous training credits from an accredited institution to GSTC. Credit for prior training will be evaluated according to the Transfer of Credit Policy (pp. 13). Acceptance of prior credit shall reduce the allotted training time. The VA and the student shall be notified if prior credit is awarded. The evaluation will be performed within the first 90 days of enrollment.

Attendance and Satisfactory Academic Progress

• Attendance is reviewed monthly and students must maintain an attendance percentage of 83%, as measured by the ratio of clock hours attended to clock hours scheduled. Note: There are no excused absences. Failure to meet the 83% threshold will result in the student being placed on Attendance Warning for one (1) month. Students are eligible for one (1) attendance warning per academic year. While on Attendance Warning, students must meet the 83% threshold. Failure to meet the 83% threshold while on Attendance Warning will result in the student being placed on Attendance Probation AND having their VA Educational Benefits terminated. Students whose VA Benefits have been terminated may have them reinstated upon meeting the 83% threshold for one month.

• Students receiving VA Benefits must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of “C” by the end of each course completion. Students failing to earn a grade of “C” or better will have their VA Educational Benefits terminated and may face an administrative withdrawal. Students may have their VA Educational Benefits reinstated upon successfully completing the course with a grade of “C” or better.

• Students receiving VA Educational Benefits are NOT eligible for a Leave of Absence. Veterans’ Educational Benefits must be terminated during periods of absence.  

For additional help, contact Veteran Affairs:

Patricia Kirkland

850 786 6517

pkirkland@ecsdfl.us