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Using Your Benefits

Below is what you need to know if you’re using your VA Education Benefits at WWCC.

Anyone using VA Education Benefits must provide their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs after the individual has completed the Application for Benefits. Those who have previously used the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® can also obtain a Statement of Benefits.

Contact Walla Walla Community College’s VA Benefits officer for the Guidelines to Receiving VA Benefits and Certification Authorization information.

Enrollment Verification or Change in Student Status

Monthly enrollment verification is required for those using Ch 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill ®), Ch 30 (MGIB-AD), and Ch 1606 (MGIB-SR). Phone/Text/Email verification is the preferred method for Ch 33.

Call 1.888.442.4551 to verify or opt-in to text/email verification.

The WAVE system is the preferred method of verification for Ch 30 and Ch 1606. The WAVE system permits students to perform a multitude of functions. For instance, students may:

Report a change in enrollment
Change mailing address
Initiate or change direct deposit information
View enrollment period and monthly rate
Sign up for monthly email reminders

For web verification using the WAVE system, click here on the last day of each month and login.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

If a student falls below a 2.00 GPA in any quarter of attendance, he/she will be placed on a Level I probation for the next quarter of attendance. If progress is not satisfactory at the end of the subsequent quarter, the student will be placed on Level II probation. If at the end of this quarter, satisfactory progress has not been made, benefits will be terminated as required by law.

Any veteran or dependent receiving benefits who has been terminated will not be re-certified by the school for veterans education benefits until he/she complete a quarter on their own in which the average GPA is 2.00 or above, unless reinstated through a successful appeal through the Academic Standards Review Board.

Contact [email protected] for questions or concerns.

Audits, Withdraws, Non-required Courses, and Repeats

The law prohibits payment for auditing a course or payment for any course for which a grade assigned is not used in computing requirements for graduation.
This includes repeats of grade of “D” or better (unless a higher grade is required), withdraws, and courses not applicable to your declared degree objective. This does not apply to repeats of required courses which you have failed.
If you are not sure, please visit the Financial Aid webpage before repeating a course.

Below College Level Courses

Below college level English or mathematics courses are authorized only when the need for training has been established by accepted testing methods (Directed Self-Placement test scores). These classes must be taken in person, not online, if using benefits.

Chapter 30, 33, 31, and 1606 Participants: The student’s entitlement will be charged for pursuit of these types of training.
Chapter 35: Effective 08/01/1989 any eligible person under Chapter 35 is entitled to benefits for pursuit of remedial and deficiency courses without a charge to entitlement for the first five months of full time pursuit of a program (or the equivalent in part time educational assistance) consisting of such courses.

Payment Rates

VA payment rates are updated periodically. Please visit the Rates Table to see current and past rates.

Credit Load

Full-time: 12 credits or more
3/4 time: 9-11 credits
1/2 time: 6-8 credits
Less than 1/2: Tuition/fees up to benefit maximum

Direct Deposit

If you are receiving benefits under any of the following VA Education Benefit programs, you can sign up fr Direct Deposit and have your monthly education benefit check automatically deposited into your checking or savings account. This can save approximately 5 days mail time!

Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)
Chapter 31: VA Vocational Rehabilitation
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill
Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependent’s Educational Assistance
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve

Call 1.877.838.2778 to start, stop, or change your direct deposit.

VA Work Study Employment

The VA work-study program permits eligible students to perform services for VA in return for a monetary allowance equal to prevailing Federal or State minimum wage, whichever is higher. VA work-study payments are non-taxable. Students pursuing 3/4 or full-time programs of education or training under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, and 1606 are eligible for work study. Applications are available online at the website address below.

Click here for more information.

Tuition Reduction

If you are a VETERAN and meet the following criteria, you may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate. Please see the link below for additional information.

You are a DOMICILIARY of Washington State and
You received an HONORABLE DISCHARGE

In order to receive the reduced tuition rate, you must bring a copy of your DD-214 and provide proof of residency (ex. WA State Driver’s License) to the Office of Admissions & Records or Veterans Services coordinator prior to the start of the quarter you plan to enroll.

If you are a SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT OF A VETERAN you may be eligible for a complete tuition waiver if you meet certain criteria and are a DOMICILIARY of Washington State. Please see the link below for additional information.

If you have any questions about eligibility, contact the Veterans Service office

Click here for more information on Washington State Tuition Waivers.

Return to Veterans Services Home Page

GI Bill ® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.