Thomas Jefferson University is an approved institution of higher learning in conjunction with Title 38 Veterans’ Administration Education Benefits. Thomas Jefferson University ensures that it receives benefits to our Veterans Administration (VA)-eligible students by maintaining strict adherence to federal guidelines and regulations outlined by the VA. Biennially, with approval from the State Approving Agency (SAA), Thomas Jefferson University reviews its catalog and procedures to assure compliance with all associated entities of the VA and SAA. Below are the defined processes, and state and federally-mandated regulations that are required.
Per the 3679(e) compliance regulations from SAA and statutes lawfully outlined by the VA, the Thomas Jefferson University Course Catalog commits to the following: “As part of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of title 38, United States Code was amended, and educational institution will be required to confirm their compliance with the requirements as outlined.”
Per the Veteran Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, the University has developed a policy that defines the following regarding benefit recipients (please note: a Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation (Veteran Readiness), or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits):
- Chapter 31 individuals with an approved Tungsten invoice and educational plan provided by their Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) counselor
- Chapter 33 individuals whose benefits cover their tuition and fees with 100% benefit eligibility in accordance with the Post-9/11 Bill’s private institution’s annual tuition and fees cap
- Chapter 33 individuals whose benefits cover their tuition and fees with 100% benefit eligibility, under provision and certainty that their tuition and fees will be covered by Yellow Ribbon benefits, including but not limited to any additional and verifiable financial aid source, in accordance with the Post-9/11 Bill’s private institution’s annual tuition and fees cap
- Chapter 33 individuals whose benefits cover their tuition and fees with partial (50% or greater, but less than 100%) benefit eligibility, including but not limited to any additional and verifiable financial aid source, in accordance with the Post-9/11 Bill’s private institution’s annual allotted tuition and fees cap
The University Policy also states that:
- The Chapter 31 student(s) utilizing the benefits must have proper authorization from their VRE counselor within 30 days before the start of the term, not to exceed the first day of the term
- The Chapter 33 student(s) utilizing the benefits must submit their Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits within 30 days before the start of the term, not to exceed the first day of the term
- Students of each covered benefit must submit a VA Enrollment Confirmation Form (VA-1999 Form equivalent) each semester that they intend to use their benefits within 30 days before the start of the term. This is to inform the School Certifying Official (SCO) of their written request to be certified.
- Students provide additional information necessary to the proper certification of enrollment by the educational institution (e.g., submitting mitigating circumstances for prior reasons the student was not able to maintain University academic policies in accordance with the Standards of Progress set by VA, a conscious change of enrollment by the student, or any life event that may impact a student’s ability to attend classes)
- The school’s ability to impose a fee if:
- the student’s entitlement has reached its end and/or applicable delimiting date, and there are no longer sufficient funds to cover tuition and fees; and/or
- if the student does not have any other additional and verifiable financial aid source, and was delinquent in applying for such and doing so, with documented evidence they were advised to as per the Principles of Excellence; and/or
- the student did not, in a timely fashion, submit the required documentation to be certified for the term as per the policy’s required process.
- This is not to supersede the VA’s federal law in Stat. 5370, subsection B, of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, that late fees and denial of accesses of classes not be imposed due to delinquency of the school’s inaction to certify benefits in a timely manner per the policy’s required process.
- Thomas Jefferson University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual's inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.
Department of Veteran Affairs: Principles of Excellence Statement
In accordance with Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, Section 1018 requirement per the Department of Veteran Affairs, we duly uphold the Principles of Excellence set forth by the Department of Veteran Affairs with all statutes recognized:
- Providing students with a timely personalized Financial Aid Shopping Sheet covering the total cost of an education program
- Inform students who are eligible to receive Veterans education benefits of the availability and potential eligibility of Federal financial aid before packaging or arranging private student loans or alternative financing programs
- Avoid fraudulent and unduly aggressive recruiting or automatic renewal techniques (covered individuals must approve their enrollment in individual courses)
- Avoid misrepresentations or payment of incentive compensation
- Must fully disclose conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or examinations, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation
- Provide to a covered individual enrolled in a course of education at the educational institution with information regarding the requirements to graduate from such course, including information regarding when required classes will be offered and a timeline to graduate
- Obtain the approval of the institution’s accrediting agency for new courses or program offerings prior to enrolling students
- Maintain a policy to accommodate Service members and reservists readmitted to a program if they are temporarily unable to attend class or suspend their studies due to service requirements
- Designate a point of contact to provide academic and financial advising
Thomas Jefferson University will conduct an annual internal review to ensure that it complies with the policies and procedures, and that they are adequately and affirmatively published in the University Course Catalog.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill