FAQs

Full-time students enrolled in Fall and Spring will receive their maximum entitlement for the benefits for the length of instruction. Students who are enrolled part-time will receive a prorated amount of benefits based on their total enrolled units.

• 12 or more units: full-time
• 9- 11.5 units: three-quarter time
• 6-8 units: half-time
• 1-5 units: no benefits

Summer benefits are prorated based on the length of the course.

YES!

In order to be certified for classes and receive your educational benefits payment, you must register for classes on your education plan.

• Only classes on your academic counselor approved comprehensive education plan will be certified to VA.

• Basic Housing Allowance and/stipends will be direct deposited into your account.
• Covered tuition will be paid directly to Ventura College.

• Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) amount will vary during the first and last month of the semester. The amount is based on registered units and length of the class.
  • If a student's class begins on the 15th on the month, payment prorated based on the days of instruction in the month. If class occurs from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month, payment will be made in full.
• You can check the BAH housing rates by using the GI Bill^® Comparison Tool

• If you have requested certification at least 4 weeks prior to the start of the semester, you may receive your Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) on the first of the month, after the start of school, provided the VA is not experiencing unusually long processing times.
  • For example, if school begins in late August, you may receive your first BAH payment on September 1^st.

• The student never attended classes for which they were certified.
• The student completely withdraws on or before the first day of the term.
• The school received payment for the wrong student.
• The school received duplicate payment.
• The school submitted an amended enrollment certification and reported reduced tuition and fee charges.
• The student died during the term, or before the start of the term.
• VA issued payment above the amount certified on the enrollment certification.

• The student withdrew after the first day of the term.
• The student reduced hours before or during the term.
• The student attended more than one day of any certified classes and a payment has been issued.
• The school submitted a change in enrollment and reported a reduction in tuition/fees due to student action reducing or terminating training.
• The student drops a course and adds a course. Any change to tuition/fees is a student debt.

• VA automatically grants a one-time exemption for up to 6 credits the first time a student reduces or terminates after the drop-add period.
  • If student completes the term and receives non-punitive grades, the exclusion will not be granted.
• The student may wish to offer mitigating circumstances for any remaining excess credits after 6.
  • Examples of mitigating circumstances may include:
    • An illness or death in the immediate family
    • An illness or injury during the enrollment period
    • An unavoidable change in employment
    • Discontinuance of the course by the school
    • Unexpected active service, including active duty for training
    • Unanticipated difficulties with childcare