1. How do I apply for veteran's benefits? All veteran students beginning or transferring to an OCTC program who wish to receive VA educational benefits must complete the required VA forms. These forms can be obtained from the VA education home page at: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm
2. How do I know what benefits I am entitled to, what forms are needed, and where I can get them?
All forms necessary for applying for VA educational benefits are available from the VA education home page at: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm
Application requirements for educational benefits vary from program to program. Your application package must be complete. Partial application packages will not be accepted.
To determine the correct forms and documents to use for you DVA educational benefits, please visit the DVA website under the appropriate chapter.
For more information about VA education benefit chapter
3. Where do I mail the VA forms? After acceptance to a program please fill out the required VA Educational benefits forms. If your application is submitted using VONAPP, please send the original signature page and any supporting documentation required to the VA office in St. Louis, MO using the following address: DVA St. Louis Regional Processing Office, P.O. Box 66830, St. Louis, MO 63166-6830. 4. After mailing my VA forms, what do I need to do next? The next step is to register for classes. Registration is accomplished through the Start Center and/or the counseling center. OCTC does not offer deferred payment based on receipt of veteran benefits. OCTC has developed a universal registration process for all students. The student must be prepared to pay tuition at the beginning of the term with one of the approved payment methods set up by the business office.
5. After registration has been completed, what does the school send to the DVA? Once the registration form is processed, and you have furnished a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the OCTC VA Rep, a Certification of Enrollment (22-1999) will be sent to the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). The certification of enrollment will report the term of enrollment, attempted credit hours and tuition and fees for those students still on active duty. Please note that the DVA office determines the training time for undergraduate students by viewing undergraduate students schedules on a day-to-day basis.
6. How long can it take to find out eligibility for veterans benefits or to begin receiving money? The DVA requires about two to three months (sometimes more), after receiving the certification of enrollment and application, to process an award and begin payment. All semesters will be electronically certified and sent to the DVA. To sign up for direct deposit, just call 1-877-838-2778 or download form 24-0296 at http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/24-0296.pdf and mail to the appropriate location indicated on the form. Payment for veteran’s benefits is made at the end of each month by the VA. For example, you will be paid in February for attendance during January, in March for attendance in February, and so on (considering your registration and certification for class registration has been processed by the VA).
7. How can I contact the DVA? Inquiries regarding certification and payment can be made directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or by email in the ask a questions section listed on their website at: https://www.gibill2.va.gov/vba/vba.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_alp.php. Please feel free to contact the OCTC VA Rep with any questions or concerns at (270) 686-4631.
8. What kind of Information/forms will I receive from the DVA or OCTC? Utilization of VA Educational Benefits will generate a continuing stream of school and VA correspondence. All correspondence is important and should be read carefully upon receipt. Any misunderstandings or discrepancies should be brought to the attention of the OCTC VA Rep immediately for clarification or correction when appropriate. We urge you to create and maintain a file for all VA and school correspondence. It is also recommended you keep a photocopy of each check received.
The documents you will receive include award letters / Certificates of Eligibility from the DVA Regional Office. You will need to ensure a copy of this correspondence is sent to the OCTC VA Rep for your file.
Notices of Change in Student Status (22-1999b) are usually sent to the DVA after an initial enrollment certification has been sent. These forms reflect a change in hours either as a result of dropping / adding a class or being cancelled for nonpayment.
An award letter will be sent directly to your mailing address by the DVA. It verifies your enrollment as previously reported. Check the letter carefully, paying close attention to the dates and hours reflected. If you are receiving MGIB benefits (Chapter 30), the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) or MGIB-SR benefits (Chapter 1606), you must verify your enrollment on a monthly basis for VA to continue benefits. If your enrollment does not change, you can submit your enrollment by using one of the methods below. If your enrollment has changed during the month, you must verify your enrollment through the WAVE program and call the VA Rep to make the correction with the VA. Verifications are processed starting the last day of the month. If a change is necessary, your payment may be delayed. Please remember that only students who are receiving MGIB, Post 9/11 GI Bill and MGIB-SR benefits are now REQUIRED to certify their monthly enrollment over the phone by using the Telephone Voice Response (IVR) or the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE).
Also, these students will have:
How the system works? Just dial 1-877-823-2378 and follow the instructions provided, or go to https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/default.cfm to signup and log onto the WAVE system.
Failure to complete these monthly verification procedures in a timely fashion may result in delayed checks and possible termination of educational benefits.
9. What if I make changes in my enrollment?
All changes made after your initial application and/or certification are forwarded to the DVA Regional Office and should be brought to the attention of the OCTC VA Rep so the change can be reported.
10. What are the most common changes? The most common changes include:1. Change in status of dependents2. Change in address3. Change in major4. Changes in credit hours5. Withdrawal from school6. Anticipated change in place of training
11. What if I have a change of status of dependents? This applies to those students utilizing Vietnam Era GI Bill benefits and Vocational Rehabilitation. Those groups of veterans receive an additional allowance for each dependent.
Changes can occur when:
12. What if I change my address?If you should move during your enrollment at OCTC, you would need to change your address with the Student Records Office and the DVA Regional Office. Changing your address with only one of these offices will not automatically change your address with the other. This change for OCTC can be done at Student Records, DVA changes of address can be done by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or download a form 20-572 at www.GIBILL.va.gov and mailing to the DVA Regional Office in St. Louis.
13. What if I change my major? Should you decide to change your major you should be aware there are school and VA forms to complete. The school form is available through Start Center office. The form required by the VA is form 22-1995 or 22-5495, depending on the VA Education Benefit you are in receipt of, and are available online at: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm
14. What if I change my credit hours? This occurs when you drop a class(es), withdraw from a class(es) or are dropped from a class(es) by the school for nonpayment. It is your responsibility to inform the OCTC VA Rep of the change, as well as, the DVA Regional Office.
15. What if I withdraw from school? Should it become necessary for you to withdrawal from all classes, you should contact the OCTC VA Rep before doing so. There are many concerns you should be aware of before withdrawing completely (i.e. repayment).
If you are transferring from OCTC, you should notify the OCTC VA Rep as soon as possible, so that the proper form can be submitted to the DVA. The form required by the DVA is form 22-1995 or 22-5495, depending on the VA Education Benefit you are in receipt of, and are available online at: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm
Note: Failure to report changes constitutes fraud and is the primary cause for delays in the delivery of your educational checks and occurrences of overpayment. Changes may be reported to the OCTC VA Rep in person, by telephone, or email (listed on the first page).