Receive your benefits
Make sure each of these are done at the start of every term. If you don’t, you could be deleted from your classes. Planning ahead with an advisor and getting help from a Veterans Education Benefits Specialist are the best ways to ensure your funding is ready.
Start of the term to-do
check Declare a major: To use VA benefits, you must have a declared major. We can only certify you for the classes that apply to your major. You can change your major but be careful because changing your major after submitting your class schedule can result in the reduction of your benefit amount. See more about changing majors.
clock Register early: PCC is able to offer veterans and dependents who are using VA education benefits priority registration. Register for the classes you have planned with your advisor. See registration times. Register early to avoid delays in your benefits.
graduation cap Check GRAD plan: Check the 3-term plan that you made with your advisor. Make sure all of your classes apply to your major by checking GRAD Plan. Find GRAD Plan on the My Courses tab of MyPCC. See more about GRAD Plan for veterans.
upload Submit your schedule to the Veterans Education Benefits Office: After registering, submit your class schedule to the Veterans Education Benefits Office as soon as possible. If possible, don’t change your schedule after submitting it. Making changes can result in a reduction of your benefit amount or being required to pay back money to the VA. If you have to change your schedule, notify the Veterans Education Benefits Office as soon as possible.
money bill Make sure your classes are protected with a payment arrangement: PCC requires that payment arrangements for tuition be in place two weeks before the start of each term, or your class schedule will be deleted. Some VA benefits qualify as a payment arrangement and some do not. See more about how to protect your classes.
These will protect your registration
Your class schedule must be submitted at least two weeks before the start of the term for these benefits to count as a payment arrangement. Because your tuition and fees are paid directly to the college, your classes will be protected from deletion once you submit your schedule.
Chapter 31 – VA Vocational Rehabilitation
Chapter 33 – Post 911
(If you’re not 100% eligible for this chapter, you’ll have to pay the remaining balance of your bill after the VA pays the eligible portion.)
These will not protect your registration
Because your monthly VA benefit payment is paid directly to you, you will need to make a payment arrangement with the college. Your payment arrangement must be in place two weeks prior to the start of the term. See payment options that will keep your classes protected from deletion.
Chapter 30 – Montgomery
Chapter 35 – Dependents Educational Assistance
Chapter 1606 – Selected Reserve
How long before I get payment from the VA?
You should receive your housing stipend on the first day of the month after the term starts, but it depends on how early you register for classes and submit your schedule. PCC proudly serves a large veteran population, which is why it’s important to register and submit early. Schedules are certified to the VA in the order they are received. Certification times vary, but PCC generally certifies within 14 days.
