Veterans' Affairs

Welcome to Chipola College. As a veteran, you are entitled to certain benefits, and are eligible to participate in certain programs. The following information should serve as a brief overview of these programs and your benefits, however, for additional information, please contact the Office of Veterans' Affairs in Building A, Room 159. The Office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the summer sessions.

The staff includes: Sybil Cloud, Director of Financial Aid and Veterans' Certifying Official; Melinda Sherrill, Department Associate and Veterans' Certifying Official; Annie O'Pry, Senior Office Assistant; and Laurie Berry, Senior Office Assistant.

APPROVED PROGRAMS:

    An excellent way for veterans to use their education benefits is pursuing an approved course of study at an institute of higher learning. All programs of study must be approved by the State Approving Agency in order to be certified by DVA for payment of benefits. All degrees and most certificate programs at Chipola College are currently approved by the State Approving Agency.

HOW TO APPLY:

    All prospective students must complete the appropriate application for admission to Chipola College. Transfer students must provide official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. High school graduates must provide an official transcript of their high school credits. Once acceptance to the College is granted, contact the Office of Veterans' Affairs to apply for benefits. The chapter under which you are filing will determine the documentation required by the DVA to certify your benefits (Form DD214, Chapter 1606 requires a 2384). All students must submit a curriculum guide which is obtained from a counselor in Student Services.

CHANGE OF PROGRAM:

    A change of program is change of objective which presumably requires a change in the courses required to attain the new objective. The revision of a program without a change of objective, but resulting in a loss of credit or in an extension of the time required to attain the objective, is also considered by the DVA to be a change of program. Benefit recipients are urged to plan their academic careers carefully.
    Students who have been out of school for 12 months or more, must complete a Change of Program or Place of Training form, even if the program of study remains the same.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS:

    Veterans must attend classes regularly and continue to show satisfactory progress, according to the standards of measurable progress as stated in the Chipola College Catalog. Benefit payments may not be made for courses from which you withdraw unless mitigating circumstances exist.

COUNSELING AND ADVISING:

    Counseling in career planning and advisement in course curriculum requirements is available from a counselor in the Student Services Building.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY:

    As a student receiving Veterans' Educational Assistance, you are responsible for immediately notifying the Office of Veterans' Affairs of any changes in your degree or certificate program, or reduction in your credit or clock hours for any semester.

OTHER FINANCIAL AID:

    Receiving veterans benefits does not necessarily prevent a student from receiving other forms of financial aid. Applications and assistance are available in the Financial Aid Office, which is located in the same office as Veterans' Affairs. In addition to the usual sources of financial aid, some children of deceased or disabled veterans who are residents of the State of Florida may qualify for various scholarships offered by the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance.
    We request that you carefully read all the information contained in this brochure, because we want you to be aware that there are specific guidelines that you will be required to follow as you apply for, and receive, your educational assistance checks.
    We wish you success as you pursue your educational goals at Chipola College.

PHONE NUMBERS:

For more information about the Veterans Program visit the
US Department of Veterans Affairs Web site

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