VA Educational Benefits

As of January 24, 2007 Louisville Bible College is approved for Veteran Educational Benefits for service men and women of the U.S. Armed Services and their dependant and approved family members. The information listed below is to provide an overview of the “basics” in extending information for VA Educational benefits.

Basic Information on VA Educational Benefits

• It takes 10-12 weeks on average for VA benefits to begin coming to the student. Applications for benefits can be submitted up to 120 days in advance of the term. Spouses / dependents can apply up to 60 days prior to the term. (At the time of our training, there were 24,000 applications in the system. It ranges from 20,000-35,000 apps at any one time)

• A veteran MUST have elected to contribute $1200 / $1800 to the GI Bill by payroll deductions while on active duty.

• They MUST have received an HONORABLE DISCHARGE from the military. (No general discharge or dishonorable discharge accepted) They need a DD-214 Copy 4 form to submit with their application to the VA for benefits.

• They are eligible for VA educational assistance for a TOTAL of 36 months, within a time frame of 120 months (10 years) of their honorable discharge. Even if a student applies at the 9 th year, he is only eligible for the remaining 12 months of the 10-year window. Dependents are eligible for a total of 42 months ending with the child’s 26 th birthday. (Spouses—36 months)

• The certifying official CANNOT “certify enrollment” until the student has completed the application process and is officially accepted and is enrolled in qualifying courses.

• All LBC courses qualify for VA educational benefits EXCEPT “distance learning courses” which include Home Studies, Outreach and Online Courses. These are NOT approved for VA benefits.

• EXCEL students are only eligible for ¾ benefits, since in any given 16 week term, they can only be enrolled in 9 hours of course work, UNLESS they also take another regular or bridge class during that same term. A student MUST take a minimum of 12 hours of class during any 16 week term.

• VA Educational Benefits are paid DIRECTLY to the student, not to the institution, so the student will need to pay his / her 20% down and still sign a promissory note, if they don’t have the money to pay the College at the time of enrollment.

• If the student is still on ACTIVE duty (for at least 2 years), they will need form 22-1990 signed by the Educational Officer of his / her unit.

If the student is in the Active Reserves or National Guard, they will need the NOBE form, filled out by their unit officer + form 22-1990. (These veterans have 36 maximum months of benefits within a time frame of 14 years)

If you would like more information regarding these benefits and enrollment at LBC
please contact Deborah Fenner, Registrar, at 502.231.5221!