Veterans' Educational Benefits

The college is certified for training by the State Approving Agency under the various veterans' training laws. Veterans planning to enroll at OWCC should consult with the Veterans Affairs Office well in advance of registering. The veteran must complete a special form (available in the Veterans Affairs Office) which is required by the Veterans Administration for initial certification and, there upon, assume responsibility for all fees from his/her own resources or out of monies paid to the individual by the Veterans Administration.

Veterans are normally expected to pay all fees at registration. Because the "advanced payment" first check is sometimes delayed, it is advisable that the veteran be prepared to meet all expenses until that check is received. Veterans attending the college under Public Law 894 (disabled veterans) who have approval from the Veterans Administration will have registration fees paid directly to the college by the federal government.

For VA purposes, training time is usually com-puted as follows:

         12 or more semester hours:        Full-time
         9-11 semester hours:              3/4-time
         6-8 semester hours:               1/2-time
         

Any student-veteran who is absent three consecutive class sessions or school days without pre-notifying the Veterans Affairs Office (and confirming that notice in writing) will be interrupted from training for pay purposes, and the Veterans Administration will be notified. The veteran who has been interrupted from training for pay purposes will have to request enrollment recertification through the Veterans Affairs office to request the VA payments be resumed.

A veteran who wishes to receive VA benefits should notify the OWCC Veterans Affairs Office prior to registration to expedite the request for subsistence allowance. Veterans, widows of veterans, and war orphans desiring information about benefits, requirements, and registration procedures should contact OWCC's Veteran's Office at 729-5375 or the VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000.

Veterans' Fee Deferment Policy

Any eligible veteran or other person who wishes to pursue an approved program of education or training at Okaloosa-Walton Community College (within the meaning of Chapter 32, 34, or 35, Title 38, United States Code) and who meets the conditions stated in 240.345(2)(b)1 shall, in the first term of enrollment in any fiscal year, be granted upon request a sixty (60) day deferment for full payment of fees from the last date to pay fees, provided the period of deferment shall not extend beyond 10 days before the end of the term.

VA Deferments are available on a limited basis for half-semester courses offered during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Deferment of fee payment for eligible persons after the first enrollment period in any fiscal year is not authorized. An eligible person who can document a substantial, unique financial hardship may petition the Financial Aid Office to seek special consideration for a 60-day deferment. This must have the approval of the Director of Financial Aid.

Under no circumstances shall any person be allowed to enroll or re-enroll at OWCC who has unpaid fee deferment. A student who does not comply with the terms of the deferment policy will lose the right to receive future deferments.