AY23 Academic Catalog/Handbook

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Veteran’s Education Services

OFTC is approved for the educational training of Veterans and certain eligible spouses and dependents of Veterans. The college serves only as a source of certification and information to the Veterans Administration as all financial transactions and eligibility determinations are handled directly between the student and the VA Office. Veterans and other eligible persons interested in obtaining educational benefits must meet all applicable requirements for admissions.

The Office of the Registrar serves as the Certifying Official to the Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of OFTC. The Veterans Certifying Official will work with Veterans and the dependents of the Veterans who are eligible to receive benefits:

  • Assist Veteran students with the processing of VA forms
  • Advise Veteran students, when appropriate, about certain procedural requirements
  • Certify enrollment of OFTC Veteran students to the Department of Veteran Affairs

After gaining admissions to the college, eligible students should begin the process of applying for VA Educational Benefits. Students may apply for VA Benefits online at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and clicking the Apply for Benefits link to be connected to the Veterans Online Application System (VONAPP). A student may request a paper application by calling 888-442-4551. The application process normally takes 6 – 8 weeks for new education claims.

VA students are also required to approve their schedules prior to their hours being certified by the VA Certifying Official. The form can be accessed at the OFTC website under the Student Resources tab. Click “Forms and Procedures” then “Veteran Educational Benefits Approval Form”.

Veterans Affairs Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 Guidelines

Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® individuals are permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to OFTC a Certificate of Eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or Chapter 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:

  1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
  2. Ninety (90) days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility.

OFTC 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, on any covered individual 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.

Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 individuals should take the following additional actions:

  1. Submit a Certificate of Eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance no later than the first day of a course of education.
  2. Provide additional information necessary to the proper certification of enrollment by the educational institution.
  3. Student is required to pay additional payment or fees 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.