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Certification and Benefits

Veteran Certification:
  • Required for veterans or dependents using VA educational benefits at Baton Rouge Community College.
  • Certification involves submitting the Enrollment Certification Request for Veterans Benefits Form and supporting documentation as applicable to the school's certifying official.
  • Must be completed each semester to receive benefits.
Monthly Verification:
  • Veterans using certain VA educational benefits (e.g., Montgomery GI Bill) must verify enrollment status monthly via the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by phone at 1-877-823-2378.
  • Failure to verify can result in delayed or suspended payments.
Benefit Restrictions:

Fall, Spring & Summer Semesters

Full-time: 12 or more hours 

Three-quarter time: 9 to 11 hours 

Half-time: 6 to 8 hours           

Less than half time: 5 or less hours

  • Certain benefits may have time limits, such as eligibility periods or maximum months of coverage.
  • Not all courses are covered; only those required for the approved degree or certificate program are eligible for benefits.
Best Practices to ensure benefits are received in a timely manner are:
  • to submit Enrollment Certification Request for Veterans Benefits Form for each enrollment period,
  • academic planning for future enrollment periods,
  • remain enrolled in required courses for which you register, and
  • earn grades in each course that demonstrate to Baton Rouge Community College and the VA that you are making satisfactory progress toward your degree.
Overpayments:

Overpayments to the VA occur when the Department of Veterans Affairs pays more benefits to a veteran or dependent than they are entitled to receive. Here's how overpayments work:

Causes of Overpayment:

  • Changes in Enrollment: Dropping a class, withdrawing from school, or reducing credit hours can lead to overpayment if the VA is not promptly notified, as benefits are often based on full-time enrollment.
  • Ineligibility: Continuing to receive benefits after becoming ineligible, such as failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • Incorrect Certification: Errors in the certification of enrollment, such as reporting the wrong number of credits or enrolling in non-eligible courses.
  • Notification: The VA will notify the veteran or dependent by letter, detailing the overpayment amount, the reason for the overpayment, and the repayment options.

Repayment:

  • Immediate Payment: The recipient can choose to repay the full amount immediately to the college to avoid additional interest or fees.
  • Payment Plans: If immediate repayment isn't feasible, the college may offer a payment plan to spread out the cost over time.
  • Withholding Future Benefits: The VA may deduct the overpayment amount from future benefit payments until the debt is fully recovered.
BRCC Certifying Official Obligations:

Certification of Enrollment:

  • Submit accurate enrollment certifications to the VA each semester. Certifications a re completed based upon the following: 
    • current enrollment status,
    • number of courses that apply toward your degree,
    • number courses that apply toward your degree as a result changing majors at BRCC,
    • number of transferable courses that apply toward a degree because of transferring to BRCC from an accredited college or university.
  • Ensure certifications are completed promptly to prevent delays in benefit disbursement. 

Monitoring Enrollment Status:

  • Track and report any changes in enrollment status, such as add/drop, withdrawal, or changes in credit hours, to the VA. 
    • The School Certifying Official (SCO) places advisor holds on accounts certified for Veteran Education Benefits to ensure schedule changes are reported to the VA.
    • Students receiving VA education benefits must contact the SCO to have the hold lifted prior to schedule adjustments.
  • Notify the VA of any unsatisfactory academic progress or disciplinary actions affecting benefit eligibility.

Advising Veterans:

  • Provide guidance to veterans and their dependents on the use of educational benefits, including eligibility, application procedures, and required documentation.
  • Assist veterans in understanding the impact of their course selection on benefit eligibility and financial aid.

Liaison with VA:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact between the school and the VA, facilitating communication and resolving any issues related to benefit processing.
  • Respond promptly to VA inquiries and requests for additional information or documentation.