Veterans Information

The Veterans Coordinator assists veterans, spouses, and dependents in utilizing their educational benefits. The Veterans Coordinator, located in the Financial Aid Office, is responsible for processing completed paperwork and answering questions concerning applying for benefits. Veterans should report any changes of address to the Veterans Coordinator. Questions regarding eligibility need to be directed to the Veterans Administration at 1-888-GI-BILL or 1-888-442-4551.

Southwestern's Veterans Coordinator will maintain all files for veterans enrolled at the college. To remain eligible for benefits, it is required that veterans and reservists at Southwestern keep their grade point average in satisfactory standing according to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements of the Financial Aid Office.

• Change in Schedule: The College is required to notify the Veterans Administration if students adjust their schedules that change their enrollment status.
• Classes Not Completed. The Veterans Administration may require students to repay benefits received for classes dropped.
• Classes Already Completed. The Veterans Administration will not pay you to retake a course for which you have received a passing grade, nor will they pay for any advance credit you have received from prior education.
• Delayed/Incomplete Grades. Delayed/incomplete grades must be removed by the end of the next semester or they will be changed to grades of "F".
• Degree-Seeking. You must be pursuing a degree to receive benefits.

Although veterans will not generally receive any VA benefits for at least six weeks after the Veterans Coordiantor sends the enrollment certification to the VA, you are still expected to pay your semester costs by the first day of class or make other arrangements with the Business Office. It is Southwestern's responsibility to notify the VA of your status; however, if you should change your original schedule, it is your responsibility to contact the Veterans Coordiantor.

Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov or check updates to pay increases at the VA Office's Education Benefit Payment Rates Page.

Kysa Gordon, Veterans Advisor
Email: gordon@swcciowa.edu