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Military Students

Spartan College – Proud Military Past, Present, and Future

At Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, we are proud of our military heritage. Since 1928, we have been providing training for members of the armed services- active duty, reserves, veterans, and their dependents. We would like to thank you for your service and for choosing Spartan College to fulfill your educational and training goals.

Whether you are interested in pursuing training as a professional pilot, or prefer to keep your boots on the ground, our programs are hands-on and designed to prepare you for a variety of industries. We recognize that the transition to student life can be challenging for some. Our staff provides the services you need to navigate from military to civilian life. To find out more about our programs, select a location from the menu above.
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What are some program options for veterans and current military students?

Whatever your training objective, Spartan College has a variety of options to prepare you for opportunities in aviation and related industries. We offer diploma, associate, and bachelor degree programs of study. To find out more about what each of our locations has to offer, select a location from the menu.

The structure of Spartan College’s programs and student life may appeal to students accustomed to a military life or training style. Spartan College students adhere to a code-of-conduct, dress code, and attendance policy to ensure professional training is experienced. Spartan College instructors, many of whom have practical, real-world experience, work alongside students to hone their skills and abilities.
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What are some program options for veterans and current military students?

Most Spartan College programs are approved for VA education benefits including:

  • Chapter 33 GI Bill® – (Post 911 GI Bill®)
  • Chapter 1606 – (for Reserves/Guard, not Activity Duty)
  • Chapter 1607 – (for Reserves/Active Duty)
  • Chapter 35 – Dependent Educational Assistance
  • Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill®
  • Chapter 31 – Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation

Veterans or currently active military should contact their transition officer to review which program(s) they may or may not qualify for assistance.

 

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

Getting Started
To help you get the most out of your VA Education Benefit program, you will find a summary of information specific to veterans and how their VA Education Benefit plan is used at Spartan College. Based on feedback from veterans attending Spartan College, the information below is to help you better understand how your VA Education Benefit works while attending Spartan College. Please keep in mind this is a summary only, detailed information/policy and procedures can be found at www.gibill.va.gov website.
Eligibility Determination
VA determines eligibility based on your application for benefit(s). Each applicant will receive a COE (Certificate of Eligibility) letter, or Award Letter, from the VA once they have determined your eligibility. The COE/Award Letter will tell you which VA Education Benefit(s) are approved and applicable information regarding your specific eligibility approval. The veteran is responsible for submitting a copy of their COE/Award Letter to the VA Certifying Official at the Spartan College campus they are applying to.
Previous Education
Prior credit must be evaluated, and an official transcript must be on file from any previous institution. Failure to submit a transcript will result in non-certification after 2nd term.
Enrollment (Attendance) Certification
Upon receipt of the COE/Award Letter copy, Spartan College will begin the process of certifying your enrollment/attendance and tuition cost to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by the school VA Certifying Official. This certification process generates applicable VA education benefit payment(s) to the student, as well as applicable tuition payment to the school, based on the information submitted by the VA Certifying Official thru VA-ONCE.
Chapter 33 Benefit Payments
Depending on the student’s situation, Chapter 33 benefits can include payment of tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, a stipend for books and supplies, college fund (“kicker”) payments, a rural benefit payment, and a Yellow Ribbon Program benefit. Chapter 33 differs from other education Chapters in that each type of payment is issued separately, with some payments made directly to the school and others directly to the student.

* Please see your VA Award Letter for the current academic year tuition maximum.
Spartan College Housing Allowance
A monthly housing allowance is paid directly to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month. The housing allowance is prorated by the student’s length of service percentage. Housing allowance may be reduced/eliminated if “Rate of Pursuit” is not met (Rate of Pursuit is determined by credit hours within each enrollment certification). At Spartan College, students are considered to be in full-time status and meeting rate of pursuit if pursuing a minimum of 6 semester credit hours in each 6-week term. If your schedule falls below 6 semester credit hours in a term, you should expect your housing allowance may/will be affected (VA makes the final determination regarding the rate of pursuit and housing allowance rate).

The amount payable for the Monthly Housing Allowance for any academic year (beginning on August 1) will be based upon the BAH rates effective on January 1 of that year. This means that Monthly Housing Allowance rates for Chapter 33 awards will change effective August 1 of each year, and not on January 1.

*Monthly Housing Allowance monthly payment amount is determined by an actual number of scheduled class days, (including weekends between term begin and end dates) within the month at the BAH daily rate. Housing allowance WILL NOT be paid for days between the end of a term and the beginning of a new term.
Distance Learning and the Housing Allowance
Individuals only enrolled in distance (online) learning courses will be eligible for a monthly housing allowance equal to 50% of the national average of all Basic Allowances for Housing. Rates will be multiplied by the rate of pursuit rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.
Books and Supplies Stipend
The books and supplies stipend is a lump sum payment (each quarter, semester or term attended) paid directly to the student when the school’s enrollment certification is processed. The stipend is prorated by the student’s length of service percentage. The books and supplies stipend pays $41.67 per credit certified, up to 24 credits for the academic year (08/01/YY-07/31/YY). The start date of an enrollment period determines the academic year the enrollment period belongs to. The maximum stipend is $1,000 per academic year.
Yellow Ribbon Program
All of the Spartan College Campuses participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program to make additional funds available for your technical education program without an additional charge to your GI Bill® entitlement. The Yellow Ribbon payment is paid directly to the school on behalf of the eligible student when the school’s tuition and fees exceed the VA academic year (August 1 – July 31) National Maximum. Contact the campus VA Certifying Official listed below for more information.

Only Veterans entitled to the maximum benefits rate, as determined by service requirements, or their designated transferees may receive this additional funding. Active duty servicemembers and their spouses are not eligible for this program. Child transferees of active duty Service Members may be eligible if the Servicemember is qualified at the 100 percent rate.
Other VA Chapter Benefits
Chapter 30 Benefit Payments: Chapter 30 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the veteran.*

Chapter 1606 Benefit Payments: Chapter 1606 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the reservist.*

Chapter 1607 (REAP) Benefit Payments: Chapter 1607 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the veteran.*

*Students receiving Chapter 30, 1606 and 1607 MUST verify their enrollment monthly by WAVE or IVR—see your award letter for additional information regarding enrollment verification.

Allowing Veterans to Attend or Participate in Courses Pending VA Payment

Background

Section 103 of Public Law (PL) 115-407, ‘Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018,’ amends Title 38 US Code 3679 by adding a new subsection (e) that requires disapproval of courses of education, beginning August 1, 2019, at any educational institution that does not have a policy in place that will allow an individual to attend or participate in a course of education, pending VA payment, providing the individual submits a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33.

Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology will not:

  • Prevent the student’s enrollment;
  • Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
  • Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
  • Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

  • Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
  • Provide a written request to be certified;
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Military and VA Education Benefits

As a veteran, what education benefits am I eligible for?
Spartan College/VA School Certifying Official has very limited access/knowledge of your individual eligibility benefits, payments, etc. It is the students’ responsibility to notify the VA School Certifying Official if a change occurs in your eligibility status.
How much will I receive from the V.A.?
The amount of benefits from the GI Bill® will vary depending on any “kickers”, college funds, D.O.D. benefits, etc. Your best source is to call the Veterans Administration at 1-888-GIBILL-1 and give them your service number (which is your social security number) to determine the amount. Also, you need to check your enlistment papers to determine if you have the college funds.
How do I apply for these benefits?
Veterans or currently active military should contact their ESO military counselor to review which program(s) they may or may not qualify for and to obtain approval for the program. If the student does not already have a username and password they can visit gibill.va.gov to create an account as a new user.
Can I receive any credit at Spartan College for my military experience/training?
Students with military experience may be able to receive advanced standing credit for their experience. Students requesting to be awarded advanced standing credit for school, military training, or work experience should submit the appropriate documentation verifying experience or training to the Registrar for evaluation. Students will then be referred to the appropriate academic department head(s) for final evaluation and scheduling of bypass exam(s).
What is the Financial Aid Process?
Student Finance Advisor will conduct an Overview with the student explaining the entire process and what documents are needed.

Submit FAFSA through Studentaid.gov (be sure to include School Code 00767800)

Students must supply Certificate of eligibility and DD214 from the department of veteran affairs.

If required, students must submit college transcripts to be evaluated for any prior credit.

If the student chooses to obtain federal student loans they would need to complete the master promissory note and entrance counseling on studentaid.gov.
Will I be reimbursed for licensing and certification tests?
Chapter 33 students may be reimbursed for licensing and/or certification exams if an exam is approved for VA benefits. See www.va.gov for additional information relative to your VA Benefit.
Why is the tuition cost reported to the VA different from what is reported on my account?
The tuition cost reported to the VA may be less than the actual tuition charge on your account ledger. Tuition/fees reported to VA are reduced by the application of any waiver, scholarship, or other applicable aid specific to tuition & fees.
What happens if my benefits do not cover all of my student debt?
You may be responsible for repaying any payments received for a class/course not completed as certified. The debt incurred may be tuition, fee(s), housing or any combination.
What happens to my benefits if I do not attend a course or drop out?
The school will return to the VA any monies paid to the school on your behalf for a course you did not attend.
What happens if I need to repeat a course?
Courses that are failed or for which the grade does not meet minimum requirements for graduation may be certified for VA purposes.
What happens if I take a Leave of Absence?
Enrollment cannot be certified if the return date is after the term start date.
How do I find a unit (Reservists) in the Spartan College area?
Your present unit should be able to assist in transferring you to a unit in the Tulsa, OK or Denver, CO areas. If you are close to your home unit, you may elect to serve there. Our Veterans Certifying Official can also assist with this.
Am I eligible for V.A. Rehab?
If you have a service-related injury or disability, you may apply for V.A. Rehab. The process can sometimes be lengthy; however, the best way to start is to contact the V.A. at 1-800-827-1000 and our Veterans Certifying Official for assistance.
When will my Chapter 33 Tuition Payment Process?
The VA determines the payment process date(s). The school does not have any control or determination as to when the school receives tuition payment on your behalf.
When will my BAH/Housing Allowance payment process?
The VA determines when payment(s) to the student is processed.
Who do I contact?
Veterans or currently active military should contact an Admissions representative and the Director of Admissions to discuss their options for enrolling and attending Spartan College. You can also contact our campus presidents below.

Contact our Campus Presidents

Our veteran and former military students are invited to contact our Campus President below if you have special concerns/issues/questions.
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