Academic Advising. Freshman and sophomore advising is provided by the University Advising Center located in Building 18, room 131. All other students are advised by their major department. Appointments should be made in advance.
Academic Progress. The UWF Veterans Services Office monitors student academic progress. Students receiving veterans benefits are held to the requirements set forth below:
Academic Requirements. Only courses that apply to the student's degree program can be included in certification. Students may take other courses not required by the University. However, they will not receive DVA benefits for those courses.
Advance Payment. DVA advance payment benefits may be available to new students and students who were not certified to the DVA for the previous term. Applications should be made through the UWF Veterans Services Office no later than 45 days before the start of classes. Advance payment is not available for Chapter 31 beneficiaries.
Admission Requirements. Students must apply for admission to the University before they can be certified for DVA benefits. It is recommended that students apply for admission well in advance to avoid delays in certification. The Office of Admissions is located in Building 18.
Applicability. The information in this web site applies to all students at the University of West Florida who are currently receiving educational benefits from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. Students receiving benefits under Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) will have additional requirements established by their DVA Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist.
Attendance. Students are responsible for informing instructors of absences from class prior to, or as soon as possible, after an absence. Students should check with each instructor regarding the attendance policy. If a student receiving DVA benefits is found in violation of the policy, the DVA will be notified and benefits will be reduced or terminated.
Audit. Under no circumstances will the DVA pay for a course taken as an audit.
Break/Interval Pay. This benefit is paid to DVA students for periods between two consecutive semesters. The pay rate is the same rate paid on the last day of the semester preceding the break. This benefit counts toward the total DVA benefit eligibility period. Therefore, it must be denied or requested when a student completes enrollment certification. Break pay cannot be paid in the following conditions:
Career Counseling. Counseling may be obtained from the DVA by requesting it on the VA Form 22-1990 or 1995. Counseling will be scheduled by the DVA at a location convenient for the student. There is normally a four to six week waiting period for this benefit. If a student chooses this option, benefit checks will be held until after the student meets with their counselor. The University of West Florida will provide academic, career, and personal counseling for currently enrolled students.
Certification. Certification is the process when the University verifies a student's dates of attendance, program, transfer credits, and hours enrolled to the DVA. Students must notify the UWF Veterans Services Office within seven days after registering each semester to verify enrollment and complete necessary paperwork.
Change of Dependent Status. A change must be reported by students receiving benefits under chapter 31 or 34/30 to the DVA with supporting documentation. A dependent of a chapter 31 or 34/30 student who reaches 18 can no longer be claimed as a dependent for DVA educational benefit unless the dependent is a full time student. If the dependent is enrolled full time, VA Form 21-674 must be completed.
CO-OP Education. Students may choose to be paid monthly benefits during the semester they are on the job. However, the DVA pays only 80% of the full time benefits rate during both the "at school" and "at work" semesters which must be sequential. There are many other restrictions on co-op programs, students should check with the UWF Veterans Services Office or the DVA before making a decision about using benefits.
Course Changes. If a student withdraws or makes changes to his/her course registration, this change must be reported to the UWF Veterans Services Office within seven days.
Courses for which the DVA will not pay. Only courses meeting a student's degree plan can be certified to the DVA for benefits payment. The following reflects some types of courses that will not be certified to the DVA:
Credit for military experience or courses. Requests for credit should be made at the time of admission and will need to be substantiated on the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation and may be granted by the University.
Cross-Enrollment. Cross-enrollment is certification done by two institutions. The student must complete a "Transient Student Form" and submit it to the Office of the Registrar. Since cross-enrollment requires that two institutions certify the student, a delay will occur before all paperwork is processed and benefits are paid.
Dual Major. Students requesting dual majors requires approval by the State Approving Agency before earning 90 hours toward a baccalaureate program. For graduate students, the request must be made during the student’s second semester of enrollment. Visit the UWF Veterans Services Office for additional information.
Electives. "Free electives" may be filled by any course offered at the University. "Required electives" must be from a particular list of courses or courses in certain areas. All elective hours must be listed on the Program Description Sheet if they are to be included in certifying benefits. There are no exceptions in exceeding the limit of electives.
Extension of Educational Benefits. The DVA will extend entitlements to the end of the semester in which the benefits expire for students receiving benefits under chapter 30, 34/30, or 1606. This entitlement extension does not apply to chapter 35 recipients who receive 45 months of benefits or chapter 32 students who receive benefits based upon the amount of in-service contributions.
Filling out a full time schedule. If a student does not need classes that equal a full time load in his/her final semester to graduate, the DVA may permit the student to register for classes not required in order to receive full time benefits. Contact the UWF Veterans Services Office for further information.
Financial Aid Programs. The UWF Office of Student Financial Aid is located in Building 18. DVA educational benefits are included in financial aid calculations for determining financial aid eligibility.
Florida National Guard. Eligible members may be exempt from one-half of the cost of tuition and fees. If eligible, students should contact their Guard unit and the UWF Financial Services Office in Building 20E. The UWF Veterans Services Office does not process paperwork for this program.
Grade Forgiveness. See the University Catalog for specific information concerning grade forgiveness. The DVA will not pay educational benefits for a course already successfully completed. A grade above an "F" constitutes a satisfactory grade in most courses. If a "C" or higher is required by the program/major for a particular course, then a "C" or higher is considered a satisfactory grade.
Graduate Students Taking Undergraduate Courses. Graduate students registered in a combination of graduate and undergraduate courses will have their course load evaluated for pay purposes using graduate standards. Graduate students taking only undergraduate courses will have their hours evaluated at the undergraduate rate.
Incompletes. Courses with incompletes must be converted to letter grades of "A" through "F" within one year of the completion of that semester. If not completed, the university will notify the DVA and overpayment action will result.
Mitigating circumstances. Students may submit a VA Form 21-4138 explaining circumstances if a student withdraws or otherwise incurs an overpayment. Mitigating circumstances are unanticipated and unavoidable documented events that interfere with the completion of a course. Dislike of an instructor, avoidance of a failing grade, change of jobs, etc., are not considered mitigating circumstances.
Non-Applicable Courses. Courses that are not on a student's Program Description Sheet are not considered when calculating the student's eligibility for benefits. See also "electives," "filling out a full time schedule," and "thesis/dissertation hours."
Non-Degree Students are generally not approved for DVA benefits. Exceptions are made for students seeking approved certificate programs. Please contact the VSO for information.
Non-Matriculated Students. Individuals who have applied, but have not been admitted to the University. The DVA will pay students for a maximum of two semesters while in this status. Students are not eligible for DVA benefits if they have been denied admission by the University.
Non-Punitive Grades. DVA students are not entitled to benefits for courses in which a non-punitive grade is assigned. A non-punitive grade is one that does not affect hours earned or GPA. Examples include: "G," "I," "I*," "TR," "V," "W," "WP," "ZZ," etc. See the University Catalog for a further explanation of these grades.
Overpayments. Occurs when a student receives more benefits than are entitled.
Partial Term Courses. Courses beginning or ending on dates other than the regular semester dates, these are currently referred to as B, C, or E term courses. DVA determines benefits on a term basis, not by adding the total credit hours for the semester, therefore taking B, C, or E term courses may affect a student's training rate for benefits and eligibility for break pay.
Residency. Tuition purposes is established in accordance with Florida statutes. Students should inquire in the Admissions (new students) or Registrar's Office (current students) when they begin the application process.
Teacher Certification. Courses may be approved if the student is not already certified to teach. Further information may be obtained from the UWF Veterans Services Office.
Thesis/Dissertation Hours. Only the minimum number of thesis/dissertation hours required by the specific program will be included in computation of benefit eligibility.
Tutorial Assistance. Tutoring is available from a variety of sources on campus. The DVA also will pay reasonable tutoring charges for students receiving educational benefits. Further information is available in the UWF Veterans Services Office.
Withdrawal from Class(es). If a student withdraws or otherwise changes his/her course registration, it must be reported to the UWF Veterans Services Office within seven days. This may incur an overpayment.
VA Work Study Programs. The DVA offers a Work Study Program for VA students who are currently enrolled at three-quarter time and receiving DVA educational benefits. Work study students may work up to 25 hours per week and are paid the federal minimum wage. There are employment opportunities at the local DVA Outpatient Clinic, Job Services Offices in Pensacola and Milton, DVA Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Family Services Center, Barrancas National Cemetery, and the UWF Veterans Services Office.
The information provided on these pages was accurate at the time of publication. Benefits, regulations, eligibility requirements, etc., are subject to change.
