Northland Pioneer College provides assistance to eligible students applying for educational benefits under the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Veterans, survivors and dependents may utilize educational benefits under Title 38 of the U.S. Code and selected reservist under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. The Veterans Certifying Official is responsible for certifying the enrollment status and reporting changes in enrollment to VA.
All VA students receiving educational benefits are required to complete a VA Orientation. VA students that fail to complete this orientation will have their account placed on hold until they have completed the orientation. VA students will receive an email with instructions for completing the VA Orientation after they have registered for classes.
For questions about NPC Veterans Services, visit our website, www.npc.edu/veterans-services, or contact the Veterans Certifying Official, (800) 266-7845, ext. 7469, or ext. 7365, or email veterans@npc.edu.
Educational Benefit Eligibility
NPC’s VA Certifying Official doesn’t determine student eligibility for VA Educational Benefits. Only the VA is authorized to determine a student’s eligibility and will ultimately make the final decision.
VA Eligibility is based on a student’s application with the VA and what the VA approves them for. Students that have not applied for VA Educational Benefits will need to apply with the VA at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/apply.asp.
The VA will determine a student’s payment rate based on the type of benefit for which they are eligible and the number of hours in which they are enrolled. Students can check the VA website to find out the basic payment rates: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.
Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, students may receive: tuition & fees (paid directly to the school) not to exceed the tuition & fees at the most expensive state Institution of Higher Learning (IHL). For a listing of the maximum tuition & fees for each state visit: https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/post-9-11-gi-bill-rates/#how-much-of-the-full-benefit-r.
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.
A monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. This amount is based on the ZIP code of the location of the campus/center the student is attending. To determine the BAH for your ZIP code visit: https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/. An annual book stipend of $1,000 is paid proportionately based on enrollment.
For more information on benefit comparisons go to https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.
A member of the Arizona National Guard who received a Purple Heart citation on or after September 11, 2001 or a former member of the Arizona National Guard who was medically discharged from the Arizona National Guard due to an injury or disability suffered under conditions listed in A.R.S. §15-1808 may have tuition and media fee waived for courses taken at Northland Pioneer College.
A member or former member of the United States armed forces who received a purple heart citation, who was a resident of the state of Arizona or was stationed in Arizona at the time of the injury and whose disability rating is fifty per cent or more as described in A.R.S. §15-1808 may have tuition and the media fee waived for courses taken at Northland Pioneer College.
A surviving spouse or child of a peace officer, correctional officer, fire fighter, emergency paramedic, National Guard member, or member of the United States Armed Forces who was a resident of the state of Arizona or stationed in Arizona and who was killed in the line of duty or who died from injuries suffered in the line of duty while traveling to or from duty may have tuition and the media fee waived for courses taken at Northland Pioneer College.
VA Educational Programs
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
The MGIB-AD program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Students must verify their enrollment monthly using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by calling the toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone. To be eligible, students must have:
- Entered active duty on or after July 1, 1985.
- Contributed $100.00 a month and have an honorable discharge.
Chapter 31: VA Vocational Rehabilitation
Students must have a service connected disability and applied for vocational rehabilitation services through the Department of Veterans Affairs at https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/eligibility/
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. Students must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009.
Tuition and Fees: If you qualify for the maximum benefit, the VA will cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. Rates are updated annually. To view current rates, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/resources/benefits_resources/rate_tables.asp.
Money for Housing: If you are enrolled more than half-time, the VA bases your monthly housing allowance on the cost of living where your school is located.
Money for Books and Supplies: You can receive up to $1000 per academic year.
How VA Calculates Your Benefits: The specific amount will depend on how much active service you’ve had since September 10, 2001. VA calculates this amount based on a percentage of the maximum benefit.
If you had 90 days of active service, you would qualify for 40% of the maximum amount. If you served for 3 years, you would receive 100% of the maximum benefit. Note: this will change August 1, 2020 to 90 days of service will receive 50% of the maximum benefit.
Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
Dependents’ Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Eligibility: You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:
- A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
- A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
- A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
- A service member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change was effective December 23, 2006.
Chapter 1606: Montgomery G.I. Bill® - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Students must verify their enrollment monthly using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by calling the toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone. To be eligible, a selected reservist must:
- Be enlisted, reenlisted or extend an enlistment obligation in the selected reserve so that the reservist has/had an enlistment obligation to serve for a period of not less than 6 years, following the date of such action and this must be completed on or after July 1, 1985.
- Have completed secondary school diploma requirements.
- Have completed IDAT.
The WAVE and IVR System
Chapter 30, and 1606 students must verify their enrollment monthly by Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by Interactive Voice Response (IVR) (877) 823-2378. Your enrollment can be verified on the last calendar day of the month using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling the toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at (877) 823-2378.
Assessment of Military Training
The Records and Registration Office evaluates all military training and/or coursework and transcripts from JST - Joint Service Transcripts and/or Community College of the Air Force. Official transcripts from JST or Community College of the Air Force must be submitted to the Records and Registration Office for assessment. Please see an academic adviser or the Veterans Certifying Official for assistance.
Prior Credit Evaluation
The VA administration requires NPC to evaluate prior credit. This includes military transcripts and official transcripts from any other College/University attended. VA students have until the end of their second semester to submit them.
Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corp, and Navy transcripts can be ordered from the Joint Service Transcripts website: https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do.
Air Force transcripts, can be ordered from the Air University website: www.airuniversity.af.mil/Barnes/CCAF/.
Roles & Responsibilities of VA Students
- Check in with the Veterans Certifying Official at least once every semester
- Meet with an Academic Adviser to declare a Program of Study (major), file a Degree Intent and complete additional paperwork
- Complete the VA Orientation module in Moodle by the end of the first semester
- Follow Title IV policies as outlined in the Financial Aid section of this catalog
- Attend classes pursuant to the college attendance policy
- Inform the Veterans Certifying Official of changes in enrollment, Program of Study, changes of address, phone number, email, or other changes which may affect VA Educational Benefits.
- Formally withdraw from classes when necessary, providing any documentation (i.e. a statement of “mitigating circumstances”) to the Veterans Certifying Official within one week of withdrawal
Enrollment Status & Payment
NPC allows enrolled members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components and National Guard to be readmitted if such members are temporarily unavailable or must suspend enrollment by reason of serving in the Armed Forces.NPC accommodate short absences for such services in the Armed Forces. Chapter 30, 35, and 1606 VA Educational Benefits are paid based on training time. The number of credits enrolled in determines the amount of benefits the VA student will receive. Classification of enrollment includes: full time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time and less than 1/2 time, corresponding to Title IV definitions. Students enrolled in less than 1/2 time will be reimbursed for tuition and fees only. Summer sessions are calculated on an accelerated basis and training time will depend on the number of credit hours taken and the number of weeks of the class.
Chapter 31 and 33 VA Educational Benefits are paid directly to the school.
Chapter 30, 35 and 1606 VA Educational Benefits are paid directly to the student and the student is responsible for paying any outstanding balances to the school. It is the student’s responsibility to contact NPC’s Business Office to make payment arrangements and to continue to make satisfactory payments.
The processing of benefits for first-time VA students can take 8 to 10 weeks in some cases. VA students may utilize a VA Promissory Note during registration to defer tuition and fees until benefits come in. The student will clear those charges when they receive their first monthly benefit check.
If the VA recipient withdraws from their class(es), the student will receive a “W” on their transcript and may have to repay any monies they have received.
If the student is dropped from the 45th day attendance FTSE roster, the student will receive a “W” on their transcript and may owe back any monies they received. A student receiving VA benefits may not receive a “W” grade from their instructor; they will receive an “F” grade at the end of the term.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
All students, including those who receive federal financial aid, are required to maintain certain standards of academic performance called Satisfactory Academic Progress. A student must make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward the completion of his or her degree or certificate program. VA students are required to:
- Maintain a semester and cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher. “
- Complete at least 67 percent of the courses for which they are enrolled. D” grades are not considered passing for VA students when calculating the quantitative requirement. (See Satisfactory Academic Progress, Financial Aid, Scholarships , Grades, Satisfactory Academic Progress ).
VA Academic Warning, Suspension & Restricted Status
The Department of Veterans Affairs requires all persons using VA Educational Benefits follow Title IV policies, including making Satisfactory Academic Progress. A student who does not meet the required minimum standards will receive written notification and will be placed on Academic Warning the first semester and Academic Suspension the second continuous semester. At the end of the second unsuccessful semester, if Satisfactory Academic Progress has not been demonstrated, VA Educational Benefits will be terminated. Benefits may be reinstated once the student begins meeting the required minimum standards.
VA students that fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements will be asked to meet with an academic adviser to develop an academic success plan, which may include seeking tutoring assistance, enrolling in HDE 105 - Success Strategies for College , or adjusting their course load.
VA Academic Warning: VA students are eligible to continue to receive VA Educational Benefits while on warning status if all other eligibility requirements are met.
VA Academic Suspension: VA Educational Benefits will be discontinued for students that fail to meet the required minimum standards for two continuous semesters. A VA student who has been suspended from VA Educational Benefits may continue to enroll in classes at NPC without receiving benefits.
VA Restricted Status: Recipients of VA Educational Benefits will be placed on restricted status if all required documentation has not been submitted to the VA Certifying Official and/or if the VA Orientation module has not been complete through Moodle. VA students placed on VA Restricted Status will be asked to follow an academic success plan toward successful completion of a degree program. The VA student making progress and meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress will be considered an eligible student.
VA Appeal Process and Reinstatement: VA students who are placed on Suspension may appeal their eligibility status to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee by filing a Petition for Reinstatement with the VA Certifying Official. Appeals should be based on extenuating circumstances as documented by the VA student. Petition for Reinstatement forms are available online, by contacting an academic adviser or the VA Certifying Official. The outcome for a petition for reinstatement may include approval, warning status, restricted status or denial.
A VA student may continue to receive VA Educational Benefits only at the result of a successful appeal.
A VA student who attends NPC for one semester, successfully completes six (6) credit hours at their own expense and meets all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, could be considered an eligible student.
Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) - Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018
NPC complies with Title 38 of the United States Code, section 3679 as amended.
NPC permits any covered individual to attend or participate in a course beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website - eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
- The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
- 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
NPC will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.
NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.
- NPC VA Students must submit a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance no later than the first day of a course of education.
- A written request to use such entitlement via NPC’s VA Master Promissory Note.
- Provide additional information necessary to the proper certification of enrollment by the educational institution.
- NPC may also require additional payment or impose a fee for the amount that is the difference between the amount of the student’s financial obligation and the amount of the VA education benefit disbursement.
Veterans Priority Registration Day
Check the Academic Calendar on for dates each semester
In appreciation for your service and sacrifice, veterans (using their educational benefits or not), their spouses and dependents are all granted priority registration, allowing you to register early for classes!
You must make sure these things are done prior to registering at a campus/center or by phone: You must have an NPC ID#.
Any prerequisite overrides must be completed for all classes you want to take.
Placement testing must be complete.
There are no “holds” on your account.
U.S. Residency Form (Prop. 300) must be verified for in-state tuition rates.
To register in person at a campus or center:
- Veterans must show proof of having been in the military (DD214 or Military ID).
- Eligible spouses must have Spouses DD214 or Military ID. If last name is different, a marriage license is also needed.
- Dependents must have DD214 or Military ID from their parent, and a birth certificate showing veteran is parent.
Take your military documents, and your registration form to the campus/center office and you can register early!
Any veteran using VA Educational Benefits must also submit the Continuing Enrollment Status Report form and Promissory Note when they register.
To register, bring copies of your or your spouse’s/dependents’ military documents and registration form to the campus/center office to register early!
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