VETERAN STUDENT GUIDE
Applying For BenefitsThe online application is highly encouraged as it is processed quickly by Veterans Affairs. The result of a successful application is the receipt of a Certificate of Eligibility, which outlines your benefits. Veterans Affairs will typically take 8-10 weeks to process a new application. However classes can be submitted for benefits during this processing period.   Prior to using your GI Bill benefits, Veterans Affairs requires the completion of their application for education benefits. This application is referred to as VA FORM 22-1990. The paper-based application form is available on the
How to Use Your Benefits at Sheridan CollegeFill out a Request for Veteran Certification form.
Transferring Schools or Changing Your Degree/Program
If you have previously used your GI Bill benefits at another school, a notice must be sent to Veterans Affairs to report the “Change of Program” and to establish NWCCD as your parent school by completing VA FORM 22-1995 online at www.gibill.va.gov
Direct Deposit
Students receiving benefits have the option to have VA payments deposited directly into a checking/savings account of their choice. Call 1-877-838-2778 to set up an account or to update current direct deposit account information.
Pay Status
VA monthly benefits are paid to the student based on both credit enrollment and the length of the semester course. Enrollment categories are as follows: 

Full-time Three-Fourth Time Half-Time Less Than Half-Time*
12 or more 9-11 6-8 1-5

*Less than half-time enrollment is not recommended. Students enrolled less than half-time will receive benefits for Tuition and Fees only and use up a full semester of GI Bill entitlement.
Processing Time
The NWCCD financial aid office usually processes and submits certifications to the VA, on-line, within one week; during peak periods the process may take up to two weeks. Initial VA processing takes appropriately 8 to 12weeks, so be sure to plan ahead. Continuing student processing may be shorter.
Monthly Verification
Veteran students who will receive benefits under the Montgomery G. I. Bill (CH. 30, 1606, and 1607 only) must verify monthly enrollment. You have the option of calling in your monthly verification or using the internet to verify. 
Student Attendance and Avoiding Overpayment
  • If you do not attend class….you are not entitled to benefits.
  • If you stop attending a class, you must drop officially through the Records Office and report the drop to the NWCCD Veteran Certifying Official. Federal law requires that students report any change in enrollment status, which might affect VA educational benefits.
  • Any withdrawals or class changes may result in an overpayment. In order to prevent the possibility of an overpayment, promptly notify us of any changes in your enrollment. If you are overpaid, you will be required to pay back the overpayment immediately. The Regional Office in Muskogee will contact you by mail on what type of payment options are available.
  • When there is an overpayment, the VA will generally withhold future payments or ask for repayment of the overpaid benefits. Depending on the situation, they can take you to court, charge interest, as well as withhold future tax refunds, attach wages, put a lien on property or deny home loans.

Although the NWCCD Veteran Certifying Official monitors student attendance, it is imperative that you report any enrollment change immediately.
Concurrent Enrollment
  • When receiving VA Educational Benefits, you may be concurrently enrolled at more than one school during the same semester. The school where you are receiving a degree will be your “Primary school.” The other is the “Secondary” school.” The courses you enroll in at the secondary school must be approved by your primary school in order for you to receive benefits.
  • If this is the case, you must contact the Primary school and request a “Primary School letter” be sent to the secondary school. The form indicates that the parent school will grant credit toward the current major for the course(s) taken at the secondary school. You are responsible for informing the secondary school’s VA Certifying Official where your parent school is located and in requesting certification for the classes you are enrolled in at their institution.
“F,” “W,” “U,” or “NC” Grades
  • NWCCD is required to check on student attendance for all classes in which a student received “F,” “W,” “U,” or “NC” grades. If you receive such a grade, we will contact your instructor to get your last date of attendance/participation.
  • If the “F,” “W,” “U,” or “NC” grade is a result of non-attendance, the VA will be notified of the last date of attendance reported by your instructor, and the VA will reduce your units and pay rate effective to the last attendance date indicated. This may also cause an overpayment.
Standards of Academic Progress
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), require schools to monitor student progress.  To demonstrate compliance, each student using VA benefits must comply with all institutional policies, including the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.All recipients of VA benefits and federal financial aid (includes grants, loans and work-study) must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Students who are not in satisfactory standing are not eligible to receive any type of VA benefits or federal aid, including parent and student loans. In order to remain in satisfactory standing federal aid recipients must meet all of the following four standards of progress:

1. You must successfully complete a cumulative 67% of the credits that you attempt. Successful completion is defined as earning a grade of A, B, C, D or S.

2. You must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00. Your cumulative GPA is based upon all of the credits that you have attempted at NWCCD.

3. You become ineligible for financial aid when you have attempted more than 150% of the credits normally required to earn a certificate or a degree. At NWCCD 150% is defined as 96 credits for those students who are seeking the associate’s degree.

If you are not in satisfactory standing and experienced extraordinary circumstances that contributed to your academic difficulties you may appeal your loss of financial aid by completing the Satisfactory Academic Appeal Process Application .
Non-Payable Classes / Repeated Courses
  • No payment will be made for classes that are not REQUIRED for a student’s degree objective or are not part of the degree objective’s general education coursework.
  • Courses for which the student has received transfer are not payable.
  • The VA WILL NOT pay for repeat courses that were successfully completed. Letter grades of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “S” are considered to be successfully completed for VA purposes.

Exception: Some courses require a specific minimum grade for successful completion or transfer. In this case, you will have to fill out the “Request to Repeat a Course” form to petition retaking the course.
Retroactive Benefits
VA Benefits can be paid retroactively for up to one year for a prior enrollment. However, we do not recommend late applications and strongly encourage you to submit your application the semester you first enroll at NWCCD.
Prior Credit
NWCCD requires all veterans requesting benefits to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended prior to attending NWCCD by the end of their second semester. This prevents a student from being paid for classes that he/she has already completed at other institutions.
Dual Major/Goal
Dual majors or a major and minor are not allowed by the VA in any degree AA/AS, BA/BS transfer, or certificate programs. The VA will only pay for one major and for one degree at a time.However, a student may declare a double major through the NWCCD Records Office and fill out a VA form 22-1995 to change to a different program through the VA.  
Contact Us
Veteran Certifying Official
Brett Burtis
Sheridan College
PO Box 1500
Sheridan WY 82801
Phone: 1-800-913-9139 ext 2720
Fax: 1-307-674-3371
bburtis@sheridan.edu

Visit the G.I. Bill Web site at www.gibill.va.gov or

call the toll-free number at 1-888-442-4551.

For questions regarding payments use the “Ask a Question” site at www.gibill.va.gov