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VA Benefits

Veterans Affairs Education Benefits

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits are coordinated with the certifying officials in the Office of the Registrar. Watkins degree and certificate programs are approved for veteran’s education by the Tennessee State Approving Agency for the training of veterans and their eligible dependents.

 

All Degree and Certificate Programs at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film are approved for Veteran’s Education by the Tennessee State Approving Agency (TN-SAA) for the training of veterans and their eligible dependents. VA educational benefits are coordinated by the School Certifying Officials (SCO) in the Office of the Registrar. 

All decision pertaining to benefit eligibility and payments are made by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Watkins certifies enrollment and changes in enrollment of eligible students to the Veterans Affairs (VA).  Please direct all questions to the Department of Veterans Affairs at www. gibill.va.gov

The process begins by completing and submitting an application online. Go to www.GIBILL.va.gov; select “Apply for Benefits” and click on “VETERANS ON LINE APPLICATION (VONAPP). The VA will mail a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) disclosing the Chapter and level of benefits. 

Please provide the following information to the Office of the Registrar in order for enrollment to be provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs:

First Time Students/Beneficiaries

  1. 1. DD-214 – A copy of “Member 4” discharge form.
  2. 2. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) – This letter is provided to all veteran/dependents at the time of benefit approval by the Department of Veterans. For a replacement COE please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at (888) 442-4551.
  3. 3. A Copy of Online VA Form 22-1990 - This form can be completed through VONAPP at www.gibill.va.gov.
  4. 4. A Copy of VA Form 22-1990e – Dependents of Chapter 33 Benefits. This Form can be completed through VONAPP at www.gibill.va.gov.
  5. 5. VA Form 22-1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training) – This form is required when the student transfers into the Watkins College of Art, Design & Film or changes majors.  This form can be completed through VONAPP at www.gibill.va.gov.
  6. 6. Application for VA Benefit – This form is a Watkins College form used to apply for VA benefit.
  7. 7. VA Enrollment Verification Form – This form is a Watkins form to initiate certification and also allowing Watkins to release student records for certification. A new form must be completed for each academic semester.

It is mandatory for veterans to disclose all enrollments in other post-secondary institutions prior to the first semester of enrollment at Watkins. Certification of enrollment is processed after the receipt of completed forms and after the College’s Drop/Add period ends.

The Veterans Administration (VA) request that students do their own inquires. The student is responsible for asking questions and submitting an inquiry to the VA about the status of their application and eligibility of benefits. Watkins does not submit inquires on behalf of the student.

Post 9/11 and Yellow Ribbon Program

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program provides additional tuition waiver to veterans who are eligible to receive 100% benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Watkins offers Yellow Ribbon benefits to fifteen qualified students annually on a first-come, first-served basis, either full-time or part-time. This benefit is renewable each academic year to students who maintain good academic standing and continuous enrollments at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film.