Where can I find out more information about the
Post 911 GI Bill ®, the Montgomery GI Bill ® or
Veteran Readiness and Employment Program Benefits?
For additional information on VA Education Benefits for all chapters, visit the Veteran Services website. You may also contact your campus liaison.
What VA educational programs are available?
How do I apply for VA Education Benefits?
This link will take you to the VONAPP (Veterans Online Application) where you will apply for the following benefits. Please note the forms vary depending on the benefit you are applying for.
For Veterans wanting to use Chapters 30, 33 or 1606 fill out the VA Form 22-1990
For Survivors and Dependents Chapter 35, fill out the VA Form 22-5490
Transfer of Entitlement (Chapter 33 Post 9-11) fill out VA Form 22-1990e
For Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment fill out VA Form 28-1900
What are the current VA payment rates?
A listing of Education Benefit Payment Rates can be found on the VA website's Rate Tables.
Do I need to fill out the Request for Certification form each semester?
Yes. You must complete a Request for Certification form for each semester you wish to use your VA education benefits. This form lets our Certifying Officials know you want to use your benefits and for which classes. Remember, you cannot be certified for a class if it is not required for your degree.
Can I turn in my request for certification form after the priority due date?
Yes, you can; however, there are some common problems that can occur when you turn in a request form after the deadline. For example:
What classes can I have certified?
You may request to have any class certified that fits your degree plan with Lone Star College. Please consult with your campus liaison/advisor, if you have questions.
Can I take classes that do not fit my degree plan?
There are certain circumstances when electives are not eligible for certification. If you ever have questions about whether a class will fit your degree plan or if it can be certified please contact your campus VA liaison.
Am I required to notify Lone Star College Veteran Services of changes in my schedule?
Absolutely! Failure to notify the Veteran Services may result in either an overpayment or underpayment. Timely reporting of changes is key to avoiding debts to the VA. The sooner we are able to notify the VA of your schedule changes, the sooner they are able to adjust your benefit payments. To report changes, please complete the Change of Enrollment request form, which is located under the Forms section of our website.
Can I attend two schools simultaneously and still use my benefits?
Yes! A student may take courses at more than one school that apply to his or her degree. The school that will grant the degree is the student�s �primary� school. All other schools are �secondary� schools.
What is a Parent Institution Letter?
Parent Institution Letters (PIL) are letters that are sent from a primary school to a secondary school authorizing the secondary school to certify classes the student is taking. Classes at the secondary school must fit the degree plan of the primary school or they cannot be certified. The PIL must be sent directly to the Veteran Services.
Who is responsible for payment of tuition and fees?
Students must pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline each term, unless tuition and fees are being paid for by Chapter 33 Post 9/11, Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment, Tuition Assistance and Financial Aid or Hazlewood exemption.
I have already graduated, but I still have VA education benefits left. Can I pursue a second degree?
Absolutely! For more information on the different programs your VA education benefits will cover, go to the GI Bill Website. You may also email, call, stop by and chat with your VA Campus Liaison.
Can I use the Hazlewood Exemption and VA benefit at the same time?
Yes, with the exception of Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill ®) at the 100% eligibility level or with Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment). If you are eligible for both the Hazlewood exemption and VA education benefits under Chapters 30, 35,1606 you may use both benefits at the same time. If you have Chapter 33 benefits at less than the 100% level, you may also use the Hazlewood exemption. For more information on the Hazlewood Act, visit the Hazlewood Act Website.
How does the exemption work?
The Hazlewood Act is an exemption from the payment of tuition and most fees. There is no money changing hands with this benefit. The institution the student attends absorbs the cost of tuition and some fees for the student.
Which charges are covered?
The Hazlewood Act exempts qualified students taking classes at public institutions of higher education in Texas from tuition and most fee charges.
How do I know if I qualify?
You may qualify if�
How can I check how many Hazlewood Act hours I have previously used?
For your convenience, we have placed a link for the Hazlewood Act Student Hours website on our Forms page. You may also reach the sign-on page via the Hazlewood Student Hours Website .
Can I receive credit for my military training?
In order to receive college credit from military training you must submit a copy of your official military transcript, and request for an official evaluation to your campus VA liaison.
How do I receive credit for my Physical Education requirement?
In order to receive credit for your Physical Education requirement, please see your campus liaison to fill out and submit a Prior Learning Assessment form, along with a copy of your DD-214.
What is Round out?
When a student is completing their degree they can round out up to full time. Courses can be taken that are not required for the degree or courses that have been completed may be retaken to improve grade. Round out can be used one time per degree.
Will the VA cover the cost of repeating a course for the 3rd time?
When a student repeats a course for a 3rd time the student will incur a $60 charge 1 credit hour ($180 for 3 credit hour courses) this charge cannot be billed to the VA and student will be responsible for the charges.
Gives students an opportunity to petition course credit for experiential learning, non-credit course completion, professional development, and licensure/certification and challenge exams.
Student receiving benefits from Veterans Affairs (VA) must comply with VA rules and regulations. To avoid overpayment, all transcripts must be evaluated and credit(s) applied prior to certification of courses for benefits. Students are highly encouraged to have their military transcript evaluated prior to registering for classes.
Students cannot request prior learning assessment for courses attempted or previously taken.
Can I still request PLA if I do not see my area certification/licensure?
Will the credit transfer?
Vickie Johnson
Executive Director
281-290-2790
Vickie.M.Johnson@lonestar.edu