If I receive a failing or non-passing grade, do I have to pay back the VA?
Chapters 30, 33, 35, and 1606 recipients: An “F” grade is considered a failing or non-passing, or punitive grade. Students receiving these benefits do not have to pay back the VA.
Chapter 31 recipients: An “F” grade is considered a failing or non-passing (punitive) grade. We will report “F” grades to the VA, but only if the student did not attend class until the last day of the term. The VA will determine if the Last Day of Attendance reported created an overpayment of allowance benefits. The VA will mail out a debt letter to the student if this occurs.
I was placed on academic probation. Do I have to pay back the VA?
No, students placed on academic probation do not have to pay back the VA and they are not prevented from future certifications. Students placed on academic probation should reach out to tutoring services on campus and tutorial assistance benefits available through VA.
I was placed on academic suspension. Do I have to pay back the VA?
Yes, students placed on academic suspension are required to pay back the VA. Unsatisfactory Progress (academic suspension) must be reported to VA as a termination. We will terminate the semester you are suspended and include “Unsatisfactory Attendance, Conduct, or Progress” as the reason.
The VA will mail out a debt letter to you if you are placed on suspension or termination for unsatisfactory progress. You will be required to pay back benefits received during the semester, which includes allowance benefits and book stipends.
I received a grade of "Incomplete." Do I have to pay back the VA?
Possibly. An "Incomplete" grade is given for passable work that could not be completed during the term. The instructor assigning an Incomplete Grade must indicate the steps necessary to complete the remaining coursework and receive an earned grade. The VA will allow you to complete the remaining coursework within one year. If the "Incomplete" grade is not replaced by an earned grade within one year, we will report your "Incomplete" grade as non-punitive to the VA. The VA will then mail out a debt letter to you.
Chapters 31 and 33 recipients: All incomplete grades will be reported.
Chapters 30, 35, and 1606 recipients: An "Incomplete" grade doesn’t need to be reported if training time isn’t affected. Example: You are taking 15 credit hours, you complete 12 credit hours, and you receive 3 credit hours as "Incomplete." Training time isn’t affected because the incomplete doesn’t change the student’s full-time training time. If training time is affected, then incomplete grades will be reported.
What are punitive and non-punitive grades? How do they impact VA benefits?
A punitive grade is earned credit that counts toward degree requirements and is calculated into your grade point average (i.e. “B” grade). An “F” grade is also considered a punitive grade. We will report “F” grades to the VA for Chapter 31 students, but only if the student did not attend class until the last day of the term. The VA will determine if the Last Day of Attendance reported (for Chapter 31 students) created an overpayment of allowance benefits. The VA will mail out a debt letter to you if this occurs.
A non-punitive grade does not count as earned credit and is not calculated into the grade point average (i.e. “W” grade). Non-punitive grades get reported to the VA. The Last Day of Attendance or Withdrawal Date is also reported. The VA will determine if this action created an overpayment of benefits. The VA will mail out a debt letter to you if this occurs.