Veteran Services

Veteran Services

Bellevue University welcomes graduate and undergraduate veteran, active-duty, and reservist students. VA educational benefits may only be used to accomplish educational objectives defined as the completion of a VA approved degree program at your parent institution.

The nature of the VA educational assistance programs places certain restrictions upon the VA student and the certifying institution (Bellevue University).

To help facilitate your understanding and compliance, Bellevue University has prepared this on-line information page. We offer some very special services to our VA students.

Services

Questions?
Our Veteran Services staff is always willing to meet with you personally to help you achieve your educational objectives. Working with you and the VA Office, we will do our best to answer your questions and to assist you in meeting the requirements of the VA Educational Assistance Program.

Eligibility
Eligibility for the various VA Educational Benefits programs is determined by your date of enlistment. In all cases the final determination of eligibility is made by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Application forms for your VA benefits are available in the University's Veteran Services Office. The amount of money you will receive for education benefits differs for each program, so it is best to call our Veteran Services Office (402-293-3764) or the VA Regional Office (888-442-4551) with a specific question about pay.

Montgomery GI Bill
On October 30, 2000, the President signed into law an amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). This amendment is called Top Up. It allows an active duty student to use both their TA benefits and VA benefits for the same courses.

The amount of the VA funds used in the Top Up program will be deducted from the student's total MGIB eligibility.

Top Up is handled directly with the VA regional office and NOT through Bellevue University. Please contact your Base Education for more details. To contact the VA directly, call the VA Regional Office for Nebraska (888) 442-4551. Information is also available on their website www.gibill.va.gov.

General Information
To be eligible for VA educational benefits you must be a degree seeking student with a declared major. Your major may be Undecided until you have accumulated a maximum of 60 credit hours. VA does not recognize minors or dual majors. Academic advising is an important process for any Bellevue University student.

It is crucial for all VA students to realize that there is a distinct difference between academic advising and VA certification. It is quite possible that a course you may be advised to take will not meet VA certification requirements. For example, while it may be academically sound to repeat a class or to take elective classes, the VA may not certify such classes for payment and you would be personally responsible for the resulting cost.

It is your responsibility to make certain that your classes meet VA certification requirements should you desire VA payment for these classes. Our Veteran Services Office can assist you with questions or concerns you may have.

Credit for Military Experience

Bellevue University awards credit for military training deemed equal to specific courses in a program of study. This may include hours awarded for the completion of basic training. In order to obtain this credit, veterans must submit a copy of their DD Form 214, an in-service student must submit a statement of service or an acceptable substitute to the Registrar's Office for evaluation in order to receive this credit.

Transfer of Credit
Veterans and service members are required to request transcripts of all previous post-secondary education including results of CLEP and DANTES tests.

You should request that an official academic transcript(s) be sent to the Registrars Office. Documents hand-carried or submitted by students are not acceptable. Bellevue University will accept transfer credit for completed education taken at an accredited college or university if those courses apply toward a specific Bellevue University program.

Enrollment Certification

The Veteran Services Office at Bellevue University is responsible for certifying veteran enrollment to the Regional Veteran Administration Office each semester.

You will receive your first VA Educational Benefit check approximately six to eight weeks after submission of the VA certification.

If a veteran fails to notify the Veteran Services Office of his or her attendance, no VA checks will be awarded. Therefore, you must ensure your registration form is marked to indicate you are a VA student. To speed up the process, a veteran may request an advance payment (see Advance Pay section).

Dropping Classes

If a VA student drops a course or withdraws from all classes, it is the student's responsibility to notify the Veterans Services Office. Courses dropped any time during the semester, trimester, or term, could result in an overpayment dating back to the first day of the semester, trimester, or term. Mitigating circumstances may be considered for payment purposes.

Advance Pay

A veteran who is enrolling for the first time or who has not been enrolled for at least 30 days at any educational institution may be eligible for advance pay.

This payment, sent to the University, is generally received by the school no later than 10 days after classes begin. The first check will cover the first partial month plus the first full month of school attendance. This check may be picked up at the Business Office upon payment of any balance owed the University. The next check will be received by the veteran at the end of the second full month of classes.

If you are interested and eligible for advance pay, please contact the Veteran Services Office at least 45 days before the first day of the class you plan to attend.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office may assist veterans in seeking other sources of financial aid in addition to their VA Educational Assistance benefits.

Other Programs

Work-study positions and tutorial assistance are available to eligible veterans in need of such services.

The work-study program pays minimum wage for a maximum of 25 hours per week. Positions are limited. Contact Veteran Services Office for more details.

Types of Benefits

The following VA educational assistance benefits are available at Bellevue University.

Note: Call or visit the Bellevue University Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office for more information and to begin the application process.

Further Information

Telephone Numbers:
Veteran Services/Financial Aid: (402) 557-7326 or 800-756-7920
Graduate Programs: (402) 557-7245
Undergraduate Programs: (402) 557-7251
VA Regional Office for Nebraska: 888-442-4551
Veteran Services Office Location:

Durham Administration Building
1000 Galvin Road South
Bellevue, NE 68005

Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m Monday to Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday