Policy AP 734: Military Connected Student Benefits
This policy has been established to outline the federal and state benefits available for Military Connected Students and to ensure they are administered in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations such as Title 38 (38 CFR) and Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 45.
Veterans and certain eligible dependents may be entitled to educational benefits under various programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs. Moraine Park Technical College has been approved by the Wisconsin State Approving Agency for training of qualified individuals under approved programs and is subject to all public laws pertaining to Veterans educational benefits. Moraine Park assists with the certifying process and serves as a liaison between various Federal and State agencies, the College, and students. Service members should speak with their Educational Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within their military service regarding their plans prior to enrolling at Moraine Park Technical College. Once approval has been given from their service for tuition assistance, the student can enroll in classes.
Standards of Progress
Federal Benefits
All students must continue to make satisfactory academic progress. Students using Federal VA Benefits at Moraine Park Technical College will be reported for unsatisfactory progress in accordance with the information found in the Academic Standards Policy, as required by the VA.
State Benefits
Wisconsin GI Bill
In accordance with Wisconsin State Statute 36.27(3p), any student using the Wisconsin G.I. Bill, whether it be the Veteran, the spouse or the child of a Veteran, must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher to remain eligible for the Wisconsin G.I. Bill benefits. Students who fall below the 2.0 GPA requirement will be ineligible to receive the benefit. Students who later improve the cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0, will be able to use the WI GI Bill during the next semester in which they enroll for classes.
Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant
In accordance with Wisconsin State Statute 321.40, any student using the Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant is required to meet satisfactory academic progress at the time of application and as of the end of the academic term. Moraine Park Technical College reviews students’ satisfactory academic progress as found in the Academic Standards Policy.
College Financing Plan
The College Financing Plan is developed by the U.S. Department of Education for prospective students to compare the estimated costs of colleges and the types and amounts of aid available. The costs listed are subject to change, and aid is contingent upon the student meeting all eligibility requirements. Moraine Park Technical College will provide a covered individual (a student using benefits under Chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of Title 38, U.S.C., or Chapter 1606 of Title 10, U.S.C.) with a personalized shopping sheet that contains: estimated total cost of the course that includes tuition, fees, books, supplies and any other additional costs. (H.R.7105 Isakson and Roe, Section 1018 Requirement)
Credit for Military Training
All students identifying as a veteran or actively serving in the military who are using educational benefits must provide a copy of their Joint Service Transcript in accordance with the college’s Credit for Prior Learning Procedure. All military connected students (including spouses and dependents) who have attended prior colleges should provide college transcripts to be reviewed for potential credit. Credit will only be awarded upon receipt of official military or college transcripts as addressed in the Credit for Prior Learning Procedure.
Educational Benefits
Federal Benefits
Federal Tuition Assistance
Service members should speak with their Educational Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within their military service regarding their plans prior to enrolling at Moraine Park Technical College. Once approval has been given from their service for tuition assistance, the student can enroll in classes. Requests and approvals must first be submitted through the applicable military branch. Once approved, students will need to send payment authorizations to the School Certifying Official before the tuition due date for the applicable semester. Moraine Park Technical College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis according to the college’s Tuition Refund Procedure.
Federal GI Bill Benefits
Under Title 38 US Code, the Department of Veterans Affairs administers the education benefit programs in conjunction with Moraine Park. Students apply at the Veteran Affairs Website. To utilize the Federal GI Bill benefits at Moraine Park, a certification request must be submitted to the Veterans Certifying Official each semester. Certifications will not be automatically processed.
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e}, Moraine Park adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33} or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.
This school will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee to;
- Require student secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities} available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
To qualify for this provision, students are required to:
- Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent} or for Chapter 31, VA VR&E’s contract with the school on VA Form 28-1905 by the first day of class.
State Benefits
Wisconsin GI Bill
The Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs (WDVA) application process should be made prior to the term start and must fall within the fiscal year or WI budget biennium. The application is a two-part process. WDVA certified the veteran is eligible per WI statute and Moraine Park determines the eligibility of the student (veteran, spouse, or child) based on age, relationship, tuition, and residency.
The WDVA 2031 Certification of WI GI Bill Benefits form, WDVA 2029 Educational Institution Application, and supporting documentation is required within 14 days of the start of the term in order to apply funding. Supporting documentation depends on the student’s relationship with the veteran and examples of acceptable documentation can be found on the WDVA 2029 Educational Institution Application.
Applications (WDVA 2029) submitted within the term but after the 14th day will not be approved for that semester but may be used at Moraine Park Technical College in the following term. If there are extenuating circumstances that caused a student to not apply within the 14-day deadline, an appeal may be filed with Moraine Park’s School Certifying Official.
Wisconsin GI Bill – Appeal of Benefit Filing Deadline
A student appealing the late filing deadline will be required to complete the appeal form, write a statement, and if requested, provide third party documentation. Approval of the WI GI Bill is granted by the School Certifying Official (SCO) and it is at the SCO discretion to grant remission for prior terms retroactively within the fiscal year. There will be no remission for terms prior to the current fiscal year. Payment of tuition and fees due to the college will come out of whatever form of payment is available while the student is in a pending status. If tuition and fees are paid by another source, if approved the college will refund the student the amount of tuition and fees remittable under the law minus any outstanding charges according to the college's Tuition Refund Procedure.
Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant
In accordance with Wisconsin State Statute 321.40, any student using the Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant must submit the electronic application no earlier than 90 days before an academic term begins, and no later than 90 days after an academic term ends. It is recommended that students submit the application at least 45 days prior to the tuition due date for the applicable academic term in order for tuition to be paid up front. If tuition is not received by the tuition due date, students will be required to make payment while funding is being sent to the college. Once received, the tuition will be refunded to the student according to the college’s Tuition Refund Procedure.