BCTC is approved for the enrollment of veterans and other eligible persons to receive Veterans Educational Assistance Allowances. BCTC does not have a Veteran Representative or Veteran Office on site. The student should direct all questions concerning VA benefits to the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) at 1-888-442-4551. VA regulations may change from time to time, so it is important that the student maintain regular contact with the DVA. Failure to report changes in student status may result in the individual's being held liable by the VA for any overpayment. BCTC requires that any student applying for or using VA benefits complete a "Schedule Information Card" at the beginning of every semester that the student is enrolled at BCTC. It is imperative that the student read and closely follow the following guidelines adapted from VA regulations:
- Title 38, United States Code, sections 1674 and 1724 require that educational assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward his or her training objective.
- Standards of progress with respect to probation, suspension, graduation, etc. are published in the Catalog.
- The VA must be notified within 30 days of the last date of attendance in any course from which a veteran or other eligible person withdraws. Students who withdraw from a course must report this fact immediately to the "Certifying Official," 206 Oswald Building.
- Any veteran who is reported as "not in class" at the end on any semester and who has not been previously reported to the VA as a termination will be reported as being terminated. The college will report the last day of attendance or the last date that there is any evidence of attendance. If the student is given a failing grade (E), this provision for reporting termination does not apply.
- Veterans or other eligible persons may not remain on probation beyond two semesters without an improvement in academic standing.
- No payment of educational benefits will be made to a veteran or other eligible person for audited courses or courses for which the grade assigned is not used when computing graduation requirements including courses from which the veteran or other eligible person withdraws.
- An incomplete grade (I) must be converted to a credit grade counting toward graduation or a failing grade within one calendar year after the date on which the (I) was assigned.
- Students receiving VA benefits may not receive their benefits for repeating a course in which a satisfactory grade has been given.
- Only one change of major is allowed without counseling.
- A veteran or eligible person may only receive VA benefits for taking subjects that will count toward his or her educational objectives (associate degree or transfer program as listed with the VA). It is the student's responsibility to become familiar with his/her chosen program plan as only required courses can be certified by BCTC and then paid for by the VA.
Students who believe they may be entitled to benefits under legislation designed to assist war orphans or children of totally disabled veterans should consult the Financial Aid Office for information before enrolling.
In addition, inquiries regarding VA educational benefits may be directed to the Veterans Administration, 545 South Third Street, Louisville, KY 40202, or telephone toll-free 1-800- 827-1000. Information on the Kentucky War Orphan Tuition Waiver Program is available from the Kentucky Center for Veteran Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, Commonwealth of Kentucky, 545 South Third Street, Louisville, KY 40202, or telephone toll-free 1-800-752-6094.
