How can I better learn about my VA education benefits?
The VA is the ultimate source for info about your education benefits. Sometimes if you call to ask a question, you can get different answers from different service reps. Therefore, we recommend you log in to Ask VA and ask your questions through the Ask VA portal so you will have documentation of your questions and their responses. Visit the GI Bill® Website for additional information.
It is your responsibility to understand the details of your VA education benefits; our VA School Certifying Official and Veterans Counselors will assist you with any questions you have. It is your responsibility to request certification of your classes every semester. The VA School Certifying Official will submit your enrollments to the VA. Please use Ask VA or contact the VA Education Line at 1-888-442-4551 to learn more about your benefits.
How do I get my benefits paid each semester?
Certification for VA Education benefits is not automatic. Students must stop by the Veterans Services Center [VSC] to see the VA School Certifying Official each semester they wish to utilize benefits and fill out a new Certification Request form. If you are receiving CH 33 or CH 35 and would like to change your major, you must meet with a Veterans Counselor to get an approved academic plan to submit with your Certification Request. If you are not changing your major, you are still encouraged to meet with a Veterans Counselor each semester before submitting your Certification Request to ensure your classes align with your approved academic plan.
I’m a new student, what do I need to provide to the IVC VSC?
Veterans and eligible military-connected students receiving education benefits through the VA or CalVet must provide the VSC with a copy of their VA Certificate of Eligibility [COE] before registering for classes. Apply for your VA education benefits before you apply to Irvine Valley College.
Students who have prior educational training must order official transcripts be sent to Irvine Valley College from all colleges, universities, and/or training institutes (including Official Military transcripts) prior to meeting with a Veterans Counselor. You must bring unofficial copies of your transcripts to your first meeting with the Veterans Counselor and VA School Certifying Official in case your official transcripts have not yet been received.
If I have attended IVC previously, what do I need to do?
All previously enrolled veterans must meet with a Veterans Counselor to update their approved academic plan before they register for classes. You must also meet with the VA School Certifying Official.
If I have already used my benefits at another school, how do I transfer them to IVC?
Students who previously received VA education benefits at another school must complete VA form 22-1995/5495 and submit it to the VSC.
Click here to access the VA form 22-1995/5495
Can I use my benefits at two different schools at the same time?
Yes.
While receiving VA Educational benefits, students may be concurrently enrolled at more than one school during the same semester. Whichever school the student is pursuing a degree from will be the Parent/Primary School. If the student is registered and pursuing courses at a four-year institution, that school will be deemed the Parent/Primary School. Students using VA education benefits must provide an authorization letter from the advisor at the Parent/Primary School (called Parent School Letter or Primary School Letter). This form states that the courses taken at the Secondary/Guest School will be credited toward the current major the student is pursuing. Veteran students are responsible for informing the Secondary/Guest School's Veterans' Office of the request to be certified at the Secondary/Guest School. The Secondary/Guest School will complete the certification for the benefits form (VA form 22-1999) and send this information to the VA.
Students requesting the VSC to generate a Parent Letter for a Secondary/Guest School must show proof of enrollment and officially request for the Parent School Letter to be generated by coming into the VSC and speaking to the VA School Certifying Official. The student is responsible for any debt incurred for courses not applicable to the declared VA program.
If you have any questions, please contact the VA School Certifying Official at 949- 451-5296.
Do I need to verify my continued attendance each month?
The following video will explain your options for verifying enrollment:
Failure to verify your enrollment will cause your benefits to stop. You must do this every month, or you will not get paid!
Can I have my benefits Direct Deposited in my bank account?
Direct deposit of VA educational benefits payment is now available for Chapter 30, 33, 35, 1606 and 1607 recipients. This program speeds up education and work study payments. It also decreases chance of missing, lost, or stolen checks. As easy as 1-2-3, students may request direct deposit through the VA by calling the VA at: 1-888-442-4551.
The VA will require students to provide their VA file number, bank routing number, and checking/savings account number.
What if I need tutoring for a class?
The VSC has an in-house writing tutor that can assist with your college coursework, university applications, cover letters, and additional projects as needed. Hours vary, please contact the VSC to schedule an appointment at 949-451-5296.
Additional tutoring services are also available through the college free of charge. This can be arranged by visiting the Student Success Center located on the first floor of the BSTIC building. You must enroll in the no-cost Supervised Tutoring class (TU 301).
If eligible for tutoring benefits under a GI Bill® students may receive up to $100 per month for tutoring, up to a maximum of $1200. For further information and to apply for VA tutorial assistance, contact the VSC at (949) 451-5296.
IMPORTANT: GI Bill® students who wish to utilize VA tutoring assistance must first have approval by the VA School Certifying Official. Failure to do so could result in your tutoring not being covered by the VA tutoring program. Please contact the VSC for the "Tutorial Assistance Approval Form".
VR&E (CH31) students must have their tutoring request approved by their Case Manager.
I have heard about Work Study, what is it?
The VA Work Study Program is tax-free additional education benefit through the VA. The rate is minimum wage, state or federal – whichever one is higher ($15.50 per hour in CA as of 2023). Students using VA education benefits must be enrolled at the 3/4 time rate or more. For more information contact the VSC at (949) 451-5296 or refer to the VA website at: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/work-study/
How much will my benefit be each month?
Rates depend upon amount contributed and/or length of time in service (Number of months of contribution), as well as enrollment status.
- Students can check current payment rates at https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/
- Please note VRAP benefits are paid at the same rate as CH 30.
- For CH 33 current payment rates go to https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm
- "Duty Zip Code" will be 92618 for IVC.
- "Pay Grade" is always "E-5 with dependents”. Increase in payment rates will take effect August 1 of the respective calendar year.
- Students may also inquire at the VSC for current payment rates for VA Education Benefits.
Do I have to be a full-time student to receive benefits?
- For CH 30, CH 31, CH 33, and CH 1606 students, to receive the full Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) you must be a full-time student enrolled in at least 1 in person class.
- For CH 35 students you must be a full-time student to receive the full monthly stipend (CH 35 students may be enrolled fully online, it will not affect their monthly stipend amount).
2023-2024 Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 Monthly Housing Allowance
| Semester length | 16 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 6 Weeks | 4 Weeks | MHA Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units | 12 | 6 | 4 | 3 | Full Time |
| 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3/4 Time | |
| 7 | 3 | 2.5 | 1.5 | More than 1/2 Time | |
| No MHA | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Less than 1/2 Time |
Note:
- Post 9/11 Education Benefit® pays to the nearest 10% of the student status.
- For example, if you are considered 3/4 time (75%) the VA will pay 80% of the full-time BAH rate.
- Full Time is approximately $3,531
2023-2024 Chapter 35 Benefits Monthly Stipend Rates
- Full-time enrollment: $1,401 for each full month
- 3/4-time enrollment: $1,107 for each full month
- 1/2-time enrollment: $812 for each full month
- If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time, VA pays you up to the amount listed here for every month you’re enrolled—but no more than the cost of your tuition and fees:
- Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment: $812 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less).
- 1/4-time enrollment or less: $350.25 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less).
Do I get school credit for my military training?
Credit is given for formal service school training as recommended by The American Council on Education through its Commission on Accreditation of Service School Experiences, and the IVC evaluation process. For complete information please contact a Veterans Counselor.
How do I change my Major?
Majors can only be changed by meeting with a Veterans Counselor to receive a new approved education plan. The paperwork must then be submitted to the VA School Certifying Official for certification prior to the semester at which you are taking classes under the new major.
What happens if my schedule changes because I add, drop or withdrawal from a class?
FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES YOU TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE VA SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL ANY CHANGES IN YOUR STUDENT STATUS (i.e. Adds, Drops, Withdrawals, Incompletes, last day of attendance, or contact info). Schedule changes MUST be done by a written request in person with the VA School Certifying Official and a Veterans Counselor.
You must report any grades of “W” (Withdrawal) or “FW” (Failure to Withdrawal) to the VA School Certifying Official. VA payment to you is based on “pursuit” of your program so you must be enrolled, attending, and successfully completing your courses to be eligible for VA education benefits. All grades of “W” or “FW” will require repayment of all Fees, Tuition, and MHA (monthly housing allowance) to the VA related to the course(s).
What happens if I am placed on Academic or Progress Probation?
In compliance with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Circular 22-80-38, the college has developed standards of progress. Each student using VA education benefits must conform to these standards to be eligible for VA education benefit certification. Students using VA education benefits must maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Failure to do so may result in an interruption of your certification with the VA until academic progress has been reestablished. Summer session is included in standards of progress for ALL students using VA education benefits.
What happens if I am dismissed from school?
For a student using VA education benefits who falls into academic probation (term and cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, regardless of units attempted) or progress probation for any semester or session (including summer), the VA School Certifying Official is required to notify the VA. If the cause for probation has not been removed at the end of two consecutive semesters or sessions (including summer session), the student would be ineligible for benefits for one semester at schools within the South Orange County Community College District and must follow the reinstatement policy. Students placed on academic or progress probation for a second consecutive term will result in the loss of priority registration until the student is no longer on warning or probation status.
Can I come back to school after being dismissed?
Yes.
Please meet with a Veterans Counselor and the VA School Certifying Official to discuss reinstatement.
What happens if I fail a class?
Courses that are failed, or for which the grade does not meet minimum requirements for graduation, may be certified for VA purposes if they are repeated.
Can I take any class I want to?
No.
The VA only pays for required classes pertaining to your approved academic goal. Your educational goal establishes your required major and general course work. The VA will also pay for required prerequisites and co-requisites. For additional information, please make an appointment with a Veterans Counselor.
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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.