The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, Chapter 35, provides education and training benefits to eligible spouses
and children of Veterans or servicemembers who are permanently and totally disabled
due to a service-connected disability, died from a service-connected condition or
in the line of duty, or meet certain missing, captured, or detained status requirements.
Eligible students may receive a monthly payment directly from the VA to help cover
education or training expenses, generally for up to 36 months for programs beginning
on or after August 1, 2018. Students must have their enrollment certified by the school
and verify their enrollment with the VA by calling 1-888-442-4551 to continue receiving
payments.
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Documents Needed - New Students
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Students initially apply online on the VA website and submit the VA Form 22-5490. The VA’s process time is 10-20 business days; if eligible the VA mails the Certificate
of Eligibility (COE) letter. A copy of the COE letter is required to be submitted
to the institution’s VA School Certifying Official.
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Documents Needed- Transfer Students
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Student Responsibilities when utilizing VA Benefits
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- For incoming new or transfer students, contact the VA School Certifying Official (SCO)
at va-sco@fgcu.edu to self-identify to discuss your VA Education eligibility and obtain the required
documentation and forms for enrollment certification of VA Education Benefits.
- All students must be degree-seeking and ONLY take the required courses for their major
to receive VA Education Benefits. Note: access your Degree Works for required courses.
- Register and finalize your schedule by the semester’s add/drop period published on
the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- Notify your VA SCO of your intent to use benefits each semester by submitting the
required forms and documents. Note: enrollment is not automatically reported to the VA on the students' behalf.
It is the student's responsibility to notify the VA SCO.
- Submit forms by the published add/drop deadline on the FGCU Academic Calendar. Note: it is the student's responsibility to be aware of deadlines.
- Notify your VA SCO of any changes to your schedule during or after the add/drop period.
This may affect your monthly payment for VA Education Benefits.
- Check your email regularly, as this is how the university officially communicates
with all students.
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Standards of Progress
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The law requires that educational assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible
persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward
completing his or her training objective.
Satisfactory progress is considered to maintain an institutional 2.0 Grade Point Average
(GPA). When a veteran's GPA falls below 2.0, the veteran will be given two probationary
semesters in which to raise his or her GPA to 2.0 or better. If the student fails
to achieve a 2.0 GPA at the end of the probationary period, future VA educational
benefits will be terminated. Benefits may be reinstated after the student achieves
a 2.0 GPA or above. The student will be required to submit VA FORM 22-1995 or VA Form 22-5495 to the Military & Veteran Success (MVS) office for inclusion with the next enrollment
certification to the VA Regional Office.
Changes That Affect Benefits
- A non-punitive grade of "W" or "I" may reduce benefits effective at the beginning
of the semester, depending on the student's course load. If a veteran takes an "I"
grade and then re-registers for the same course, the "I" grade becomes punitive, and
the course must be decertified for the period that it was previously taken. This means
the VA education recipient may then be in an overpayment status.
- Reduction of a course load after the add/drop period may result in a reduction of
your benefits effective at the beginning of the semester. Students must inform the
Military & Veterans Success office of any withdrawal and the reasons such action is
necessary. Mitigating circumstances can be submitted and may be given special consideration.
- Report a change of address immediately to the Veterans Administration at 1-888-442-4551
and complete a change of address form online at the Records & Registration (forms)
- Report changes in marital status, number of dependents, etc., to the IRSC Military
& Veterans Services Department. Proper documents verifying these changes are necessary,
such as a certified marriage certificate, certified birth certificate, certified divorce
decree, etc.
Notification
The VA education recipients are responsible for informing the FGCU Military & Veterans
Success office of any changes to their enrollment, changes to their major.
