Mar 18, 2024  
Catalog/Handbook 2019-2020 
    
Catalog/Handbook 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Veterans


Information and advising are available for those eligible for educational benefits under the various laws aiding veterans and their dependents. Veterans eligible under Chapters 30, 31, 33,1606 and 1607 of Title 38, U.S. Code, and the Post 9/11 GI Bill are required to be degree seeking, but they may attend college part time. It is important for veterans to meet with a student success advisor prior to registration each term.

The Veteran Services Office completes the Veteran’s Certification for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Benefits are paid on a sliding scale:

  • Full-time Benefits: 12 or more credit hours
  • 3/4 Benefits: 9 to 11 credit hours
  • 1/2 Benefits: 6 to 8 credit hours
  • Tuition only: 1 to 5 credit hours

All veterans and dependents (except those on vocational rehabilitation) are responsible for paying all College fees within the appropriate deadlines. Registration fees may be deferred, when necessary, up to sixty days. If the term is less than sixty days long, the deferment is ten days less than the length of the term, whichever is earlier. Fees may be deferred only once per academic year.

Veterans and their spouses and dependents qualify for a waiver of the out-of-state portion of tuition at Polk State College. Students must submit the appropriate DD214 Form showing honorable discharge to the Admission and Registrar’s Office prior to the Drop deadline for classes. More information regarding submission of this form can be found in the Catalog section on Defining a Florida Resident for Residency Fee Purposes.

VA regulations require veterans to progress at a regular rate toward graduation. Veterans are expected to maintain the same academic standards of progress as students who receive federal financial aid. Details regarding the current Polk State College policy for meeting these requirements are available in the Financial Aid Office on the Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses. Veterans should contact the Veteran Services Office for assistance with completing the appropriate paperwork.

Note: Students who do not successfully pass the first two attempts of a course are charged the full cost of instruction at the third attempt.

VA Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11

Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

  • Prevent the student’s enrollment;
  • Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
  • Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
  • Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

  • Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
  • Provide a written request to be certified;
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies