Veteran Educational Services

Effective August 1, 2019, Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) states that under the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of title 38, any approved educational institution will be required to sign an agreement stating the following:

Bossier Parish Community College must permit any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Bossier Parish Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

All Chapter 33 students are to provide Bossier Parish Community College with a certificate of eligibility or statement of entitlement from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing their name, percentage of eligibility and months remaining on their benefit.

All Chapter 31 students are to have benefit approval in the form of an electronic authorization through the Tungsten Network from their VR & E counselor stating the approved dates and approval of supply stipend, tuition, fees, and books.

REGISTRATION CHECKLIST

1. Apply for GI Bill benefits
2. Apply for State Education Benefits (Title 29): VSO Bossier City (318) 741-8392; VSO Shreveport (318) 676-7540
3. Activate your National Guard Waiver: Leonard C. Acker, 504-278-8273 or leonard.c.acker.civ@army.mil
4. Order Official Transcripts:
   Military Transcripts (see links below)
   College Transcripts escribe or mail to:
   BPCC Admissions 
   6220 East Texas Street 
   Bossier City, LA 71111 

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Under the direction of the Chancellor, Bossier Parish Community College will waive all out of state tuition for the following:

• Any Government Military ID Holder
• Any prior service member with a DD214
• Any Military Dependent with a Government ID Card

Please ensure that you provide the above documents that pertain to your situation to the admissions office in order to avoid out of state charges to your BPCC account. The GI Bill® does not pay out of state tuition and debt may be incurred if the admissions office is not made aware of your status upon admissions to the college.

Non-Residency Waiver

MILITARY TRANSCRIPTS

Military transcripts are required by the Department of Veteran Affairs for any student who has served and is using GI Bill® benefits. Please follow the links below and have your official transcript sent electronically or by mail to:

Bossier Parish Community College
Attn: Admissions/Transcripts
6220 East Texas Street
Bossier City, LA 71111

All branches of service can order an official transcript online except USAF transcripts.

Air Force Transcripts can be ordered officially from the Community College of the Air Force.

E-BENEFITS

The E-benefits website is a great resource to follow your GI Bill® application, print your Letter of Eligibility, track your payments, and obtain all your military information from disability claims to VA documents.

Login can be accomplished with a CAC Card and without one. Just a few simple questions and you will be on your way to a large source of information pertaining to your personal military information.

GI BENEFIT® DETAILS

Department of Veteran Affairs

Knowing your benefits and how they work is an important part of your academic success. On the provided link, you can look up individual benefits, compare them, look at current GI Bill pay rates and read descriptions of each one. Once you have decided on your benefits, you can apply. If you have questions, please contact Veteran Educational Services at (318) 678-6472.

For further questions regarding your benefits, contact the Regional Office at 888-442-4551 or talk to Veteran Education Services.

REMEMBER

• Post 9/11 Students: At least one course for the full term of a full time schedule has to be either on campus, hybrid, or virtual in order to receive full percentage of eligible monthly stipend.
• Exemptions/Waivers: If the cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 GPA, an appeal through the financial aid office may be necessary and must be approved before the benefit is applied to a student account.
• All Chapter 31 Students need an electronic authorization from their VR & E counselor sent to BPCC through Tungsten network to receive their benefits. No emailed approval codes will be accepted. Please note the financial limits of purchases from the bookstore for supplies. Technology will have to be approved by your counselor. All bookstore receipts must be signed by the student and submitted to the business office for invoicing to the VA.
• Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill: Set up a verification of enrollment with the VA by calling 888-442-4551. The verification will come the last day of the month either by text or email once student sets up their choice. Note: If verification is not acknowledged in two consecutive months, the VA will suspend the BAH stipend and the student will have to contact the VA for reinstatement. (See STUDENT RESOURCES on this webpage for details)
• LA National Guard: Please contact Mr. Leonard Acker at 504-278-8304 to ensure you are on the State Tuition Waiver list.
• Private Scholarships (Academics, TOPS, BPCC) Please let the school certifying official know in H-411.
• Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607 , and Chapter 35 (under ½ time): Verify your enrollment on the last day of every month enrolled online or by calling 877-823-2378 in order to receive funds from the VA for the prior month.

WHAT BENEFITS ARE ACCEPTED?

• Chapter 30-Montgomery GI Bill®
• Chapter 31-Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
• Chapter 33- Post 9/11 GI Bill® (certificate of Eligibility required)
• Chapter 35-DEA- Dependent Education Assistance
• 1606-Montgomery GI Bill®-Selective Reserve
• 1607-Reserve Education Assistance Program

**Learn and apply for the above benefits at www.va.gov under the education option.

ACTIVE DUTY TUITION ASSISTANCE

• Active duty military using tuition assistance are required to have a current TA briefing through the base education office before enrolling in education programs. Please contact the base education office to find out when briefings are offered and schedule an appointment. 2FSS.FSDE@US.AF.MIL Or call (318) 456-2616 or (318) 456-2615
• DOD requires that all active duty military must take a departmental placement test if they are not receiving transfer credit from another accredited institution for Math and English. 
  • Student must provide a program “Curriculum Outcome” page from the BPCC catalog along with the “Degree Works” sheet listing ALL transfer credits.
  • All CCAF transcripts must be received by the admissions office and a “proof of receipt” signature must be provided by the admissions office on the curriculum outcomes sheet. (DOD requirement)
• All education goals must be approved by the base education office.
• BPCC degree programs, courses, session dates, and credit hour rates are preloaded in the AI Portal for your convenience.
• Upon completion of loading your course information on the portal, please bring your approved TA form to the business office on campus in Building F for payment processing.
• Grades are reported within 30 days of completion of the course.
• BPCC will waive certain course fees that Tuition Assistance does not pay.
• All active duty military do not pay out of state tuition at BPCC. If you are charged out of state tuition on your account, please contact the business office. Please fill out an Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Request form.

CCAF Course Transfer Listing

MYCAA-MILITARY SPOUSE CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACCOUNT:

https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa

**Contact BPCC academic advising for assistance with the MyCAA packet

LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD TUITION WAIVER

• If you are a member of the Louisiana National Guard, you may be eligible for a tuition waiver through the state of Louisiana. The waiver only applies to the tuition you are charged at BPCC. The fees and books are the responsibility of the student.
• The tuition waiver requires the student to maintain a 2.0 GPA and declare a degree program. Certificates of Technical Studies, Technical Diplomas, non-credit coursework, or Technical Competency Areas are not covered by the tuition waiver.
• Please contact the LA National Guard Education Office to ensure eligibility of the tuition waiver.
• LA State Tuition Exemption Manager/State GI Bill® Manager
  • 504-278-8273
  • leonard.c.acker.civ@army.mil
• For more detailed inquiries, please contact ARNG GI Bill® Support Team at 866-628-5999
• For more information, please visit the following website: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/

LOUISIANA TITLE 29 TUITION EXEMPTION FOR DEPENDENTS

www.militarybenefits.info/louisiana-veterans-benefits

**Please apply for this state benefit at your local Veteran Services Office.

• TRANSFERRED POST 9/11 GI BILL
  • Military members can transfer their Post 9/11 GI Bill™ to their dependents under certain criteria set forth by the department of defense. 
• CHAPTER 35 DEPENDENT EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (DEA)
  • The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
  • Visit your local Parish Veteran Service Office to apply for the benefit.
• GUNNERY SERGEANT JOHN DAVID FRYE SCHOLARSHIP
  • The Fry Scholarship pays education benefits to the surviving spouses and children of service members who die in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
  • Fry Scholarship Information
• LOUISIANA STATE EDUCATION BENEFITS – TITLE 29 EXEMPTION
  • Louisiana offers education assistance to surviving spouses of deceased Veterans as well as children of Veterans rated with 90% or more service-connected disability and children of Veterans rated with 100% service-connected disability due to unemployability. Student must turn in the original certificate from the state to the Veteran Educational Services Office. Student must maintain a full-time schedule and a minimum 2.0 GPA to utilize the benefit. Visit your Parish Veteran Service Office to apply for the benefit.
• MYCAA SPOUSE GRANT
  • MyCAA pays for tuition costs for education and training courses and examinations leading to a recognized license, certificate, certification or Associate degree with a specified concentration or major. Certificates may contain post-graduate courses. The concentration or major for the Associate degree cannot be in General Studies, Liberal Arts or Interdisciplinary Studies unless there is a specific concentration such as General Studies – Nursing, or General Studies – Teaching. The license, certificate/certification and Associate degree must be obtained from a MyCAA approved accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States or approved testing organization that expands employment or portable career opportunities for military spouses.
  • Please contact Academic Advising at (318) 678-6489 to schedule an appointment with a MyCAA advisor to complete a MyCAA packet.

VERIFY YOUR ENROLLMENT

Students using the following chapters of the GI Bill® are required to verify their enrollment on the last day of each month they are enrolled in order to receive payment from the VA:

• Chapter 30
• Chapter 1606
• Chapter 1607
• Chapter 35 (if enrolled less than half time)

HERE ARE THE OPTIONS TO VERIFY ENROLLMENT

• Call 877-823-2378
• Log into WAVES (Web Automative Verification of Enrollment)
  Remember: Your VA File number is your Social Security Number

VA processing takes time so please continue to call every day if the system states that it does not recognize your VA File number.

If you do not verify with the VA that you are enrolled for the previous month, they will not generate funds from your GI Bill®.

ALL POST 9/11 STUDENTS:

Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, all Post-9/11 GI Bill® students who receive Monthly Housing Allowance (BAH) and/or kicker payments are required to verify their enrollment each month they are enrolled to continue receiving their payments.

HOW DO I VERIFY ENROLLMENT?

You can verify enrollment using the following methods:

• Via Text Message
  • You can use text messages as a simple, quick option for verifying monthly enrollment. To opt into text message verification, please contact the Education Call Center (ECC) at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to ensure VA has your mobile phone number.
  • After opting-in, you can verify your enrollment simply by responding to a text message from VA.
  • Please be assured that enrollment verification via text message is safe and secure. VA will never ask for your personal information, such as social security number or bank account information, via text.
  • VA strongly recommends this method for verifying enrollment. It will be easier and faster than calling the ECC.
• Via Education Call Center
  • Contact the ECC at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) and ask a representative to verify enrollment on your behalf. NOTE: ECC wait times may be high due to the number of students verifying enrollment each month.
  • If you opt out of text verification and later change your mind, or need to update your mobile number on file, you can opt in by calling the ECC at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).

Failure to verify your enrollment after two consecutive months will suspend your housing stipend. If you have questions about the monthly verification requirement or if/when it applies to you, contact a VA education representative at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) domestically or 001-918-781-5678 overseas. 

MOBILIZATION POLICY

Mobilization Policy

VA WORK STUDY

If you are using a GI Bill® benefit and are attending school as a full-time or 3/4 time student in a college degree, vocational, or professional program, you can “earn while you learn” with a VA work-study allowance. Contact workstudy.vbamus@va.gov for more information.

TRANSFERRING STUDENTS

Are you coming to BPCC from another school? Did you use your GI Bill® benefits at that school? If you have attended another school using your GI Bill® and then transferred your degree program to BPCC, please notify the VA by completing a “Request for Change of Program or Place of Training”. You can complete this form electronically by logging into your e-benefits account under forms or you can complete the PDF form below and fax it to the VA at 918-781-7863.

• If you are the veteran or military member complete the following: VA Form 22-1995
• If you are a dependent using a veteran’s benefits, complete the following: VA Form 22-5495

VISITING STUDENTS

If you are a visiting student at BPCC taking classes to transfer back to your parent college, there are certain steps to take while using the GI Bill®. Please contact the Veteran Educational Services office for the details to ensure your benefits are processed correctly.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION REIMBURSEMENT

In today’s business and federal workforce, having a license or certification can open doors for you. A license is required for most professions, and for jobs that are subject to state or other government regulations.

Reimbursement for certain licensing and certification tests have been specifically approved for the GI Bill® by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA will pay only for the cost of the tests, not any other fees connected with obtaining a license or certification.

Please read about reimbursements of licensing and certifications and what is allowable.

Application for Reimbursement

BPCC Foundation Scholarships

BPCC Foundation Scholarships

Please indicate in your essay for the scholarship packet that you are military affiliated so the foundation staff can take that into consideration for military affiliated scholarships.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

BPCC’s Cavalier Care Center, located in building F, assists students by removing barriers to success. Some of the services students may receive assistance with include S.N.A.P., WIC, Medicaid, EITC, and food pantry.  Please contact them at CavalierCareCenter@BPCC.edu or 318-678-6148.

There are also a number of local area resources to support military-affiliated students. Listed below are a few examples of the organizations that may be able to help.

BPCC has entered into a Crosstown Agreement with Louisiana Tech University- Detachment 305.

This relationship allows eligible fulltime BPCC students to enroll simultaneously in LA Tech’s Air Force ROTC program.

Beginning your Air Force ROTC journey at BPCC has several advantages. The LA Tech admission fees, parking fees, and tuition for the LA Tech Air Force ROTC classes are waived for BPCC crosstown cadets. You avoid the expenses associated with living in a dorm by continuing to live at home. The one day a week lab and leadership class on LA Tech’s campus allows you to slowly become acclimated to university life before you transfer but also allows you to develop the comradery with your fellow cadets.

Becoming a BPCC crosstown cadet does not require you to transfer to LA Tech once you complete your degree at BPCC. The Air Force ROTC courses you take while enrolled as a BPCC crosstown cadet may be transferred seamlessly to any of Detachment 305 partner schools.

BPCC has transfer agreements in various programs with the partner schools in the crosstown agreement.  Partner schools include LA Tech, Grambling, Northwestern, and UL Monroe.

If you completed four years of Junior Air Force ROTC while you were in high school, you may be eligible for advanced placement in this program.

For more information about becoming a BPCC crosstown cadet, please contact:

Susan Stakes
sstakes@bpcc.edu

Capt. Bryce Mande
bmande@latech.edu
uao@latech.edu

• How do I use my benefits started at BPCC?
  • Schedule classes with academic advising after they have reviewed your transfer transcripts (if any) then contact Veteran Educational Services at (318) 678-6472 for processing steps.
• Can I take any classes I want while using the GI Bill®?
  • No. The GI Bill® only allows courses to be taken that fit within the designated program of study. (Exceptions may apply to this rule)
• What do I do if I drop or add a class or get withdrawn from a class?
  • Notify the School Certifying Official in Veteran Educational Services so an adjustment to your certification can be made to the VA. (dropping classes throughout the term can cause debt to the student from the VA and/or the school)
• Do I have to declare a major to use my GI Bill®?
  • Yes. The VA requires that students using a GI Bill® have to declare an approved program of study.
• What do I do if I get military orders?
  • Please contact Student Services - Denise Morgan (dmorgan@bpcc.edu) or Susan Stakes (sstakes@bpcc.edu)