BAH & Online Classes (due to COVID-19):
The VA will pay BAH based off how a course was initially setup to be conducted, prior to COVID-19 -- either in-person or online. If your course was originally scheduled to be in-person, they will pay you as such. This authority is in place through December 21, 2020.
The Online Class Schedule does not accurately reflect if a course will be considered online, hybrid, or in-person for benefits.
***For a list of Fall 2020 classes that will be counted as in-person, please
click here.***
Veteran Students/Dependents should check their student email regularly for updates from our office regarding remote procedures and benefits updates from VA.
Benefits Information:
As more information is released, students will be updated via email by our office. For general information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on VA benefits and services, students may also access the
FAQ provided by VA.
"EW"
An "EW" that is due to COVID-19 will prompt VA to automatically apply "mitigating circumstances". You should not owe back any BAH/Monthly stipend already received. Your BAH/monthly stipend rate will be adjusted based off the number of units you remain enrolled in going forward, effective the date you withdrawal. Entitlement will be charged for the days you were enrolled. If you have questions, please contact
Veterans Services.
BAH & Online Classes
Legislation passed, which protects BAH rates due to COVID-19 in instances where classes were transitioned to online learning. The shift from in-person to online will
not impact your BAH, so long as the courses were originally structured to be in-person. This authority is in place through December 21, 2020. Note: if you are registered in
all online courses that were
all originally set up to be online (prior to COVID-19), your BAH will be calculated at ½ the national average, per normal benefits administration. Due to COVID-19 changes to the Online Class Schedule, information regarding "Online" vs. "Hybrid" courses may not be processed the same as it would during a normal term.
Please check with Veterans Services to determine how your classes will be paid out.
Cancelled Classes
Cancelled classes may be dropped from a student's schedule with either "Cancelled" or "Excused Withdrawl"; both are considered non-punitive, since you will not be receiving a grade/mark that impacts progress or GPA. COVID-19 impact will be reported and it should not impact benefits.
You should not owe back money received.
Entitlement Charges
At this time, VA has indicated Entitlement (months of benefits) will not be replenished; months used for classes during COVID-19, regardless of dropping or not, will deduct months from your benefits as usual.
*Students are advised to contact our office with any questions regarding the impact of dropping courses prior to dropping via MyCoast *
Resources:
Please contact
Jonathan Jimenez, Veteran Student Equity Specialist, if you are in need of other resources or assistance during this time (jjimenez83@occ.cccd.edu | 714-432-5063)
Orange Coast College is approved by the Bureau of School Approvals, the California State Department of Education, the Veterans Administration, and the California Department of Veterans Affairs to offer programs and services to veterans and eligible persons seeking benefits under all Federal and State laws. Orange Coast College follows the guidelines issued by the Council for Private and Post Secondary and the Vocational Education which apply to all institutions enrolling veterans and other eligible persons for veteran benefits.