Mar 28, 2024  
Catalog/Handbook 2021-2022 
    
Catalog/Handbook 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Veterans


Information and advising are available for those eligible for educational benefits under the various laws aiding veterans and their dependents. Under Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607 of, Title 38, U.S. Code, and the Post 9/11 GI Bill, a veteran is required to be degree seeking to be eligible for benefits, and he or she may attend college full time or part time. It is important for the veteran 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. The student 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 a veteran to progress at a regular rate toward graduation. The veteran is expected to maintain the same academic standards of progress as a student who receives 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. The veteran should contact the Veteran Services Office for assistance with completing the appropriate paperwork.

Note: Any student who does not successfully pass the first two attempts of a course is charged the full cost of instruction on the third attempt.

VA Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 of US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 Bill (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits. While payment to the institution is pending from the VA, this school does 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 (i.e., access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

To qualify for this provision, the student 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.