Aid for Veterans

Financial Aid — Veterans' Benefits

Application for Benefits

A veteran must first complete the Admissions process and be accepted into a program of study before applying for benefits. Once admitted, the veteran must take a certified copy of his/her DD-214 to the Veterans Affairs/ Records Office. The veteran must furnish the A&R Office with an official transcript from the high school of graduation and official transcripts from all colleges attended for evaluation. The veteran must have an evaluation of his/her military and college transcripts completed by the end of the first semester of a new program of study. Information related to transcript evaluation is obtained from the A&R Office. Benefits cannot be extended beyond the first semester unless the evaluation process is completed. It is the responsibility of the veteran to make sure the evaluation has been completed.

Change of Programs

In order to change programs, a veteran must complete a Change of Program Form in both the A&R Office and in the VA/Records Office. The Veterans Administration authorizes two program changes.

Grading Procedures for Veterans

In 1976, Congress amended the "G.I. Bill" to encourage veterans to move toward the attainment of their educational career goals. The law provides that no payment will be made to an eligible veteran for auditing a course, withdrawing from a course or taking a course in which the grade assigned is not used in computing graduation requirements.

The following rules apply to those who receive veterans' benefits:

The "I" grade is a non-punitive grade as defined by the Veterans Administration. The grade is not permanent and carries only a message of a temporary condition that will change to a letter grade of A, B, C, D or F.
In the event that the veteran receives an "I" at the end of a semester, he/she must accomplish further work in the course at his/her own expense without government reimbursement.
A veteran cannot be paid for an "AU," "E" or "NC" grade.
A veteran cannot be paid for any course not listed in his/her curriculum. If electives are listed as part of the curriculum, the veteran must not exceed the total number of elective hours designated by the program. A veteran must take only electives that are listed as approved electives or electives that have been approved in writing by the department head.
A veteran cannot be paid for developmental or prerequisite courses that do not count toward graduation without written verification of test results indicating a need for such courses.

Conditions for Interruption of Veterans' Benefits

A veteran must meet the student Standards of Progress described on page 31 of the ATC Catalog.

A student whose benefits have been reinstated after suspension but who fails to obtain at least a 2.0 the next semester of enrollment is suspended from further benefits until he/she completes a semester with a GPA of 2.0 or better. The student then applies for and receives benefits for the successful semester retroactively. Unsatisfactory grade reports (below 2.0 GPA) in any subsequent semester will again result in the suspension of benefits until he/she attains a satisfactory GPA.

Veterans Change of Status

A recipient of veterans' benefits must notify the VA/Records Office immediately of any changes that may affect his/her pay status. Such changes include a change of program, change of hours, change of dependency and change of address. A veteran can obtain the necessary forms and instructions in the VA/Records Office. Interested parties may obtain additional information on veterans' benefits by calling the VA/Records Office at 803-593-9231, ext. 1244.

South Carolina National Guard Members

Members of the South Carolina National Guard may be entitled to a 50 percent tuition waiver. Members should contact their commanding officer(s) for details.