Using Your Benefits

1. Complete the admission process with OTC.
2. Complete your application to the VA for the appropriate benefit – complete VA form 22-1990.
3. Submit your Certificate or Eligibility (COE) to our office when you receive it.
4. Submit your DD-214 (Member-4 copy) and any other related documents, such as kicker contracts to our office. If you are a Reservist, please submit a copy of your DD-2304 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE).
5. To get credit for military training, work with your College Navigator to decide if and when to submit a copy of your military transcript. Search for American Council on Education in the Transfer Equivalency Guide to determine what may transfer for credit to OTC. If you decide to order your Joint Services Transcript, the site can be found at JST. (not required)

Dependents:

1. Complete the admission process with OTC.
2. Complete your application to the VA for the appropriate benefit:
   • If you are an eligible dependent of a veteran who was permanently and/or totally disabled due to a service-related condition or who died while on active duty, you may apply for benefits HERE OR,
   • If you are an eligible dependent of a veteran who transferred his or her Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) benefit, the veteran must first complete the VA form 22-1990E . The student must then apply for the transferred benefit HERE..

All Students

After you register for classes: 

1. Enroll in My Payment Plan. All students must establish a payment plan the same day they register for classes.
2. Complete the Request for Certification form each semester you wish to use your VA education benefit.
   • Dependent Chapter 35 students MUST include the veteran’s Social Security or VA file number.
   • Dependent Transfer of Chapter 33 students MUST indicate that they are using transfer of benefits.

VA Policies>>>

Academic Probation beyond Two Semesters/Terms (Indefinite Period of Time):

“When a student has failed to maintain prescribed standards of progress, VA must be informed promptly so that benefit payments can be discontinued in accordance with the law. The termination date assigned by the school will be the last day of the term or other evaluation period in which the student’s progress became unsatisfactory. Schools that provide a period of academic probation may not continue to certify a Veteran or eligible person (who remains in a probationary status) for an indefinite period of time. It is reasonable to expect that an institution will report a termination due to unsatisfactory progress if a student remains on academic probation beyond two terms, quarters, or semesters.”

Conditions for Resuming Benefits:

“After VA has discontinued education benefits because of a student’s unsatisfactory attendance, progress, or conduct, education benefits may be resumed when a school, either the same school or a new one, certifies a beneficiary’s enrollment to VA.

VA is reliant upon the enrollment and acceptance processes of approved schools to evaluate and place students in their perspective programs.  The new school’s certification of a student’s enrollment on VA Form 22-1999, will serve as sufficient evidence that the new program is suitable, and VA may resume educational benefits.”

OTC Policy:

Academic Standing and Academic Probation – OTC Registrar