Veterans Services

Yes. Veterans Affairs offers a portal that provides resources and self-service capabilities to Veterans, Service members and their families to research, access and manage their VA and military benefits and personal information.

eBenefits uses secure credentials to allow access to personal information and gives users the ability to perform numerous self-service functions. It also provides a list of links to other sites that provide information about military and Veterans benefits.

It is an essential way for Veterans, Service members and their families to receive access to and service from VA and DoD.

Who is eligible for an account?

Individuals can register for an eBenefits account if they are active duty military, retired, National Guard or Reserve, Veteran (non-retiree) or family members that are dependents (over age 18) of current or former military personnel.

Accessing eBenefits

eBenefits is located at www.ebenefits.va.gov. Before users can access the system's self-service features, they must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and obtain a DoD Self Service (DS) Logon.

• How to upgrade to premium account 
• How to check Post 9/11 enrollment status 
• How to check payment history 
• How to request DD-214 

Butte College Student Veterans currently receiving GI Bill benefits under any of the following chapters do not need to self-report and will automatically receive priority registration:

• Chapter 30
• Chapter 31
• Chapter 33
• Chapter 1606
• Chapter 1607
• VRAP

Butte College Students not receiving GI Bill benefits must self-report to be considered for priority registration.

Requirements

• Have a current Application for Admission on file at Butte College.
• Completed Assessment Test.
• Attended Butte College Orientation.
• Veterans: must submit a copy of their DD Form 214 (Member-4 copy, with an honorable, a general, or other than honorable discharge) to the Office of Veterans Services and request priority registration.
• Active duty or state reservist: must show their military ID to the Office of Veterans Services.

You must request priority registration at the Office of Veterans Services at least one month prior to registration for the next academic term. This policy pertains to all veterans, active duty service members, reservists, and the National Guard who meet the above conditions.

Students receiving Chapter 30, 1606, and 1607 must verify their enrollment monthly by Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by Interactive Voice Response (IVR). The earliest students can verify their enrollment is the last calendar day of each month.

Students must be currently enrolled in an approved educational program and must have a current benefit award to use WAVE. The WAVE system permits students to perform a multitude of functions. For instance, students may:

• Verify that enrollment has not changed
• Report a change in enrollment
• Change mailing address
• Initiate or change direct deposit information
• View the enrollment period and monthly benefit amount
• View the remaining entitlement
• Sign up for a monthly e-mail reminder

IVR allows students to "phone in" (1-877-823-2378) their monthly verification if there are no changes to the enrollment during the previous month. If there were changes in the enrollment, the student must contact the VA Certifying Official to submit a change in status and the payment may be delayed until the reduction is processed.

The V. A. Work-Study program is an opportunity to "earn while you learn". Students employed in the work-study program fill a number of positions at various V. A. facilities throughout Butte County.

Eligible students include:

Students who receive GI Bill Benefits or Dependent educational benefits AND Must be enrolled at least 3/4 time (9 units).

Students with V. A. disability ratings will have priority over non disabled students.

Benefits of V. A. work-study employment:

• Flexible schedule
• Tax free income (Federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher).
• Positions on or near campus (when available).

Approved local work-study locations:

• Butte Community College
• Butte County Veterans Office
• Chico Vets Center
• California State University, Chico

How to apply:

• Choose an approved work-study location and contact them for employment opportunities
• Complete VA Form 22-8691 Application for VA Work-Study Allowance
• Bring completed application to your prospective employer. For more information

An advance payment provides a student with benefit payments at the beginning of a school term to help the student meet expenses concentrated at the beginning of the term. An advance payment pays the student's monthly benefit for the first and second month of the semester in advance.

Advance payment is available under Chapters 30, 35, and 1606. Advance payment is not available under Chapters 33, 1607. An advance will pay the first and second month.

• Advance payment must be requested more than 30 and less than 120 days before the enrollment period.
• You must be enrolled at least half time.
• There must be more than 30 days between terms.
• You will not receive another payment until after you complete the third month of your certification.

The first month may be a partial month, with payment prorated for the number of days attended that month. Advance pay for a student certified August 26, 2014 through December 30, 2014 would pay August 26, 2014 through September 30, 2014. Since VA normally pays after a month is completed, the student wouldn't receive another check until November 1st when payment for October is made.

 Advance Payment Form

VA Pay Rates Chart

Yes; review the information below to ensure you aren't at risk of losing your VA benefits.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The law requires that educational assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her training objective.

Policy

The policy of the Office of Veterans Services is to provide guidance and to ensure students maintain consistent progress towards an approved educational goal. Schools are required by law to have and enforce standards of progress and conduct in order for their school to be approved for VA benefits. It is the responsibility of all VA educational aid recipients to understand the terms and conditions of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy in order to maintain eligibility for aid.

Standards

There are three standards used for the assessment of SAP:

1. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
2. Completion of at least 50% of units attempted each semester.
3. ???

Student progress is reviewed at the end of each semester. Under this policy it is possible that a veteran or dependent's VA educational benefits could be suspended due to unsatisfactory progress while they are still technically in a probationary status with the College and allowed to continue in attendance.

Non-Satisfactory Statuses

Warning Status

Is the status assigned to a student who fails to make SAP. A student on WARNING status will receive email notification that they may continue to receive aid. WARNING status does not require an appeal or other student action.

Probation Status

At the end of the WARNING semester, a student is expected to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Students who fail to make SAP by the end of the WARNING semester will be notified by email about their probation status for VA benefits. At the discretion of the Butte College VA Certifying Official, a student may be placed on PROBATION and continue to receive benefits. If approved on a probationary status, the student will be required to sign a Probation Agreement which outlines the terms and conditions that must be met for the student to maintain eligibility. The Probation Agreement must be in place before certification of benefits will be filed with the Veterans Administration for subsequent terms.

Academic Suspension

Is only assigned to a student who has failed to meet SAP standards after a probationary term. Students will be placed on "Academic Suspension" and educational benefits will be discontinued.

Reinstatment

Students may regain eligibility for education benefits, after being placed on Academic Suspension, under the following circumstances: Student must complete at least one term unaided in which the following conditions are met:

• Completing a minimum of six units with a 2.0 GPA during the unaided semester;
• Completing at least 50% of units attempted during the unaided semester.