Veteran Benefit News & Announcements

Veteran Benefit News & Announcements


Effective August 1, 2019: Section 103, PL 115-407
Attendance and Participation While Awaiting VA Tuition and Fee Payments

Effective August 1, 2019, any student using Ch. 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits) or Ch. 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) is protected from any penalties imposed by the College while waiting for the VA to make tuition and fee payments.
Under this policy, the College:

  • Cannot deny a student access to classrooms, libraries, or other institutional facilities
  • Cannot make a student borrow money to cover costs while waiting for payment
  • Cannot charge a student a late fee or penalty

Protection begins when the student provides the school with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or a Statement of Benefits.The College can require the student to submit:

The COE or Statement of Benefits no later than the first day of the program written request to use the benefits or other necessary certifications. The coverage period ends when the VA makes payment or 90 days after the date the College certifies tuition and fees.

For more information regarding this policy, contact your School Certifying Official (SCO) Jennifer Lenahan at jlenahan@peralta.edu.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Berkeley City College complies with S.2248-Veterans unfits and Transition Act of 2018 section 103. Berkeley City College will not assess or implement any late fees for at least 90 days from the date of certification, for any covered individuals which are using Chapter 33 or Chapter 31 VA Educational Benefits.

Covered individuals must provide Berkeley City College with the following: A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter A print out of the student’s summary of benefits page from eBenefits.va.gov is enough to let this requirement as well.