Veterans Administration

Bethune-Cookman University is an approved institution of higher learning in conjunction with Title 38 Veterans’ Administration Education Benefits. Bethune-Cookman University ensures that it receives benefits to our Veterans Administration (VA)-eligible students by maintaining strict adherence to federal guidelines and regulations outlined by the VA. Annually, with approval from the State Approving Agency (SAA), Bethune-Cookman University reviews its catalog and procedures to assure compliance with all associated entities of the VA and SAA. Below are the defined processes, and state and federally-mandated regulations that are required.

Per the 3679(e) compliance regulations from SAA and statutes lawfully outlined by the VA, the Bethune-Cookman University Academic Catalog commits to the following: “As part of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of title 38, United States Code was amended, and educational institution will be required to confirm their compliance with the requirements as outlined.”

In accordance with Title 38 US code 3679 subsection (e), Bethune-Cookman University adopts the following provisions for students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch.33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch.31) benefits. To qualify for this provision, students may be required to:

Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the fee payment deadline;
Provide a written request to be certified;
Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional polices.

While payment to the institution is pending from the VA, Bethune-Cookman will not:

Prevent the student’s enrollment;
Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

The University Policy also states that:

The Chapter 31 student(s) utilizing the benefits must have proper authorization from their VRE counselor within 30 days before the start of the term, not to exceed the first day of the term
The Chapter 33 student(s) utilizing the benefits must submit their Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits within 30 days before the start of the term, not to exceed the first day of the term
Students of each covered benefit must submit a VA Enrollment Confirmation Form (VA-1999 Form equivalent) each semester that they intend to use their benefits within 30 days before the start of the term. This is to inform the School Certifying Official (SCO) of their written request to be certified.
Students provide additional information necessary to the proper certification of enrollment by the educational institution (e.g., submitting mitigating circumstances for prior reasons the student was not able to maintain University academic policies in accordance with the Standards of Progress set by the VA, a conscious change of enrollment by the student, or any life event that may impact a student’s ability to attend classes)
The school’s ability to impose a fee if:

the student’s entitlement has reached its end and/or applicable delimiting date, and there are no longer sufficient funds to cover tuition and fees; and/or
if the student does not have any other additional and verifiable financial aid source, and was delinquent in applying for such and doing so, with documented evidence they were advised to as per the Principles of Excellence; and/or
the student did not, in a timely fashion, submit the required documentation to be certified for the term as per the policy’s required process.

This is not to supersede the VA’s federal law in Stat. 5370, subsection B, of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, that late fees and denial of accesses of classes not be imposed due to delinquency of the school’s inaction to certify benefits in a timely manner per the policy’s required process.

Department of Veteran Affairs: Principles of Excellence Statement

In accordance with Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, Section 1018 requirement per the Department of Veteran Affairs, we duly uphold the Principles of Excellence set forth by the Department of Veteran Affairs with all statutes recognized:

Providing students with a timely personalized Financial Aid Shopping Sheet covering the total cost of an education program
Inform students who are eligible to receive Veterans education benefits of the availability and potential eligibility of Federal financial aid before packaging or arranging private student loans or alternative financing programs
Avoid fraudulent and unduly aggressive recruiting or automatic renewal techniques (covered individuals must approve their enrollment in individual courses)
Avoid misrepresentations or payment of incentive compensation
Must fully disclose conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or examinations, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation
Provide to a covered individual enrolled in a course of education at the educational institution with information regarding the requirements to graduate from such course, including information regarding when required classes will be offered and a timeline to graduate
Obtain the approval of the institution’s accrediting agency for new courses or program offerings prior to enrolling students
Maintain a policy to accommodate Service members and reservists readmitted to a program if they are temporarily unable to attend class or suspend their studies due to service requirements
Designate a point of contact to provide academic and financial advising

Bethune-Cookman University will conduct an annual internal review to ensure that it complies with the policies and procedures, and that they are adequately and affirmatively published in the University Academic Catalog.

Activate and Use Your Veterans Benefits or Active Duty Tuition Assistance

Step 1

Apply for admissions at Bethune-Cookman University. Fill out the Veteran Information questions on the application.

Step 2

VA Benefits:

If you have never used veteran educational benefits before, submit the VA Form 22-1990 Application for Education Benefits directly through the VA Education Benefits page. They will process your application with either a denial or a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Bethune-Cookman University requires you to be approved from the VA to use Educational Benefits to certify your semester.

If you have used educational benefits from the VA before, reapplication is not necessary unless you are switching between chapters, then the VA Form 22-1995 Change of School or Program is required, which can also be found on the VA Education Benefits page.

This step should be completed PRIOR to course registration.

Active Duty Tuition Assistance

Each military branch has its own tuition assistance form and procedures. Contact your local education center to discuss eligibility. Tuition Assistance requests should be completed PRIOR to course registration. For grading, email vets@cookman.edu. For billing and invoicing, email studentaccounts@cookman.edu.

Links to TA Branch Websites

Army (uses private military SSL)

Marine Corps

Navy (uses private military SSL)

Air Force (uses private military SSL)

Step 3

VA Benefits

Send a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to vets@cookman.edu. Each semester, send a copy of your schedule and request to be certified to vets@cookman.edu. When the School Certifying Official receives your request, you will be electronically certified with the VA for the semester.

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.