Financial Aid Office
Student & Administrative Services Center, Rm. 1013 · (570) 327-4766 or (800) 367-9222 · Fax: 570.321.5552
Frequently Asked Questions about Veterans Benefits
- How do I apply for veterans benefits (GI Bill)?
- I am not a veteran but my parent was in the military. Can I receive education benefits based on my parent’s service?
- Do I need to complete an application for veterans benefits (GI Bill) every semester?
- How long will it take to receive my first benefits payment?
- Will my monthly veterans education benefits pay for my tuition?
- What will be the amount of my monthly veterans educational benefits?
- I just changed my Penn College major. Do I need to notify the Penn College Veterans Representative?
- What if I enroll in a course that is not required for my major?
- I am in the Pennsylvania National Guard. What other benefits, besides the GI Bill, can I apply for?
- I am a member of the Army Reserves. What other benefits, besides the GI Bill, can I apply for?
- Am I eligible to receive veterans benefits via direct deposit?
- What is verification of enrollment?
- After I verify my enrollment, how long does it take to receive my benefits payment?
- Can I receive veterans benefits from both active duty and National Guard service at the same time?
- Are there any loan forgiveness programs for veterans?
- I plan to transfer to Penn College from another college. How do I transfer my veterans benefits?
- Does Penn College award any fitness credit for my military service?
- I served in a Combat Zone last year. Do I need to report my earnings on the FAFSA?
Q: How do I apply for veterans benefits (GI Bill)?
A: You need to submit VA Form 22-1990, titled “Application for VA Education Benefits” which you can complete online via the Veterans ON-line Application (VONAPP) site. The Financial Aid Office also has applications.
Q: I am not a veteran but my parent was in the military. Can I receive education benefits based on my parent’s service?
A: You may receive benefits based on your parent’s service if your parent is 100% disabled or deceased as a result of military action. To apply, print and complete an Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (PDF) (Chapter 35) and then submit the application to the Veterans Representative in the Financial Aid Office. The application is also available in the Financial Aid Office.
Q: Do I need to complete an application for veterans benefits every semester?
A: No, you will need to complete just one application for veterans benefits during your Penn College enrollment. You should apply as early as possible before you start your first semester, although you can apply at anytime during your first year of enrollment.
Q: How long will it take to receive my first benefits payment?
A: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will process your application and send you a Certificate of Eligibility. You should receive your first benefits payment 6 to 8 weeks after the start of the semester.
Q: Will my monthly veterans education benefits pay for my tuition?
A: The benefits are paid directly to you at the end of each month in which you are enrolled. The funds will not be available in time to pay your student bill so you will need to make other arrangements.
Q: What will be the amount of my monthly veterans educational benefits?
A: Education benefit payment rates are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Q: I just changed my Penn College major. Do I need to notify the Penn College Veterans Representative?
A: Yes, any student receiving veterans benefits should print and complete a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training form (PDF) and return it to the Veterans Representative in the Financial Aid Office. The form is also available in the Financial Aid Office.
Q: What if I enroll in a course that is not required for my major?
A: The VA will only pay you for those courses that are required for your major in order to earn your degree or certificate.
Q: I am in the Pennsylvania National Guard. What other benefits, besides the GI Bill, can I apply for?
A: You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Penn College’s Financial Aid Application (FAA). You should also apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) from the National Guard’s Virtual Armory site and for the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) through your Unit of Assignment.
Q: I am a member of the Army Reserves. What other benefits, besides the GI Bill, can I apply for?
A: You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Penn College’s Financial Aid Application (FAA). You should also apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) on the U.S. Army Reserves site.
Q: Am I eligible to receive veterans benefits via direct deposit?
A: Direct deposit is available for active duty, National Guard/Reserves, and REAP (Reserve Educational Assistance Program) students. Those students may call the VA at (877) 838-2778 for more information.
Q: What is verification of enrollment?
A: In order to receive benefits for Chapter 30 or 1606, you must verify your enrollment on the last calendar day of each month or later. To do so, use the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or call (877) 823-2378.
Q: After I verify my enrollment, how long does it take to receive my benefits payment?
A: Payment by direct deposit will take 3 to 5 days. Payment by check will take 10 to 14 days.
Q: Can I receive veterans benefits from both active duty and National Guard service at the same time?
A: No. You should choose the benefit which is best for you. Refer to the Education benefit payment rates provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Q: Are there any loan forgiveness programs for veterans?
A: Yes. If you were in an active-duty status between September 11, 2007 and June 30, 2008, you may be eligible to apply for PHEAA's Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program. PHEAA must receive your application by December 31, 2008.
Q: I plan to transfer to Penn College from another college. How do I transfer my veterans benefits?
A: You should print and complete a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training form (PDF) and return it to the Veterans Representative in the Financial Aid Office. The form is also available in the Financial Aid Office.
Q: Does Penn College award any fitness credit for my military service?
A: Yes! Students who have been in the military may receive a fitness elective credit for their basic training, provided the training has taken place within the past 10 years. You need to submit a transcript to the Admissions Office from the American Council on Education (ACE) stating that the training has been evaluated.
Any requests for additional credit will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and should be directed to the department head for fitness and lifetime sports or the dean of the School of Health Sciences.
Q: I served in a Combat Zone last year. Do I need to report my earnings on the FAFSA?
A: Yes, combat pay that is exempt from federal tax is still reported on your FAFSA. You report the untaxed amount of your combat pay as earnings from working in FAFSA Question 38 (#39 for spouse, and #82 & 83 for parents). If you will submit (or have submitted) a federal tax return, you also report the amount of your combat pay as untaxed income in Worksheet B (PDF) of your FAFSA.
You find the amount of your combat pay in Box 12, code Q, of your military W-2 Form. More information is available from FinAid.
For more information on veterans issues, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Questions and Answers site.