Military Benefits

Veterans Benefits & Transition Act of 2018

In compliance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 103 of Public Law 115-407, amended 3679 subsection (e) of title 38, United States Code, The Taft University System adheres to the following policy:

NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, 33, or 35.

The Taft University System permits 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, 33, or 35 (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.

The Taft University System will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access or participation in 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, 33 or 35.

While Section 103, subsection (a)(4), details additional actions that may be required of a covered individual to stay enrolled in a course pending receipt of tuition and fees, Section 104 of this law requires information be collected as to whether the institution requires additional actions of the covered individual.  All applicable criteria below are currently required to be provided of covered individuals in accordance with your school policy:

• Chapter 31, 33, and 35 student must submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or most recent award letter to ETI no later than the first day of class.

• Student must submit a written request to use such entitlement.

• Student must provide additional information necessary to the proper certification of enrollment by the educational institution.

The evaluation of previous postsecondary education and training is mandatory and required for VA beneficiaries.  For students utilizing Veterans benefits who are approved for transfer credit as a result of this evaluation, the institution will grant appropriate credit, reduce the program length proportionately, notify the student and Veterans Affairs in writing of this decision, and adjust invoicing of the VA accordingly.