Announcements
4Emergency Advance Payments (Updated 10/1/09)
What is the education advance payment?
Advance education payments (up to $3,000) are for veterans who have applied for VA educational benefits and have not yet received their monthly education payment as of October 2, 2009. This advance payment is payable to the veteran only. Tuition and fee payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will be paid directly to the school when the veteran’s education claim is processed.
Eligibility
You are eligible for an advance payment if you are using one of VA’s educational programs, currently enrolled in school, and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment. Qualifying VA Education Programs are:
Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill
Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty
Chapter 32 – Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program
Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
Chapter 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program
Payment
Starting October 2nd, you may apply online at www.va.gov. You may also go to one of VA’s 57 regional offices (nearest are Los Angeles and San Diego offices) with a government issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Military ID, etc.) and proof you are enrolled in school (class schedule, admission letter, enrollment verification letter, etc.). You will be required to sign for the payment upon receipt.
What if I cannot make it to a Regional Office?
You may apply online at www.va.gov beginning October 2, 2009. If you are unable to apply online, you may request transportation from the nearest VA medical center. VA medical center locations can be found at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1). You will need to ask for the Volunteer Transportation Coordinator. Transportation will be provided on a first come-first served basis.
Can I receive more than one advance payment?
This is a one-time advance payment, which will be recouped from future education payments. Only one payment is authorized per veteran, up to $3,000. Veterans may choose to receive a payment less than $3,000; however, only one advance payment is authorized regardless of amount.
Future Payments
You can expect your next payment – whether you collect advance payment or not – at the beginning of November, unless you were issued a duplicate payment or have a debt. The amount of pay in November will be an adjusted amount if you collected advance payment. Advance payments will be recouped from future VA payments. However, if you reduce your course load to a level that results in a reduction in your benefit or you stop attending school during the semester, full recoupment by VA may not be possible and you will have to repay any remaining balance of the advance payment.
At the same time we are issuing advance payment, we are continuing to process education claims and issue regular educational assistance payments. Therefore it is possible that some Veterans may receive a duplicate payment. In accepting this advance payment, you are also agreeing to be responsible for repaying any duplicate payment that may be issued.
Additional Information
This is the latest information concerning the education advance payments. As additional information becomes available, it will be posted on VA website at www.gibill.va.gov
You may also call the VA Education Department at 1-888-442-4551 for more information.
4Priority Registration (Updated 10/1/09)
Priority registration means our veteran students have a registration date and time earlier than general population students. This is to ensure our veteran students get into classes they want and need in order to achieve their academic goals.
Intersession/Spring '10 - November 16, 2009 at 8:00 AM.
*New students: Make sure you have cleared matriculation.
**Returning students: Make sure you have submitted a SEP and cleared any holds.
4DVA Work-Study Program
OCC has a great work-study opportunity for a veteran student. To be eligible, student must be a veteran, service member, or a dependent under Chapter 35; student must be enrolled in school at least ¾ time; and student must be receiving G.I. Bill benefits. The rate of compensation is determined by DVA and is tax exempt. Under the direct supervision of OCC VA Certifying Officials, the VA work-study student will assist in a variety of VA-related duties. For a limited list of responsibilities, please stop by Veteran Services. If interested, please pick up an application at Veteran Services.