Policies & Guidelines

Previous education/training evaluation

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires that all previous education and training be evaluated for possible credit. Students are responsible for furnishing the ACC Veterans Affairs Office with official transcripts from all schools previously attended. (This includes civilian colleges and universities, CLEP exams, and military transcripts)

Enrollment certification

Enrollment will not be certified to the VA until all necessary documentation has been received at the ACC Veterans Affairs Office.

Declaring a major

All veterans receiving VA benefits are required to declare an ACC major.

• Veterans are allowed to take only courses required under the selected ACC degree plan, approved electives, and prerequisite courses. Courses used as approved electives or as substitutes for required courses must be approved (in writing) by the department of your major and documentation furnished to the ACC Veterans Affairs Office.
• The VA will not pay veterans for repeating coursework previously passed at ACC or other institutions. (Grades of "D" may transfer and be applied to your ACC degree program.)

Payment of Benefits

The VA pays on a post-payment system, which means the veteran will be paid for the month after it has past. Payment is made by the VA Regional Office. The first payment takes six to eight weeks after the term begins. Checks are mailed directly to the veteran's address. Please notify the ACC Veterans Affairs Office of any change of address.

Advance payment

Advance payment is authorized when veterans start a program or for any semester in which they have been out of school for at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester. Application for advance pay should be forwarded 60-120 days prior to the beginning of the semester. The advance paycheck will not be released until the veteran has paid his tuition and fees and presented a paid fee receipt to the VA Office. In order to receive the advance payment, students must be enrolled for at least half-time.

Withdrawing from courses

Withdrawal from courses may result in overpayments and repayment of any money received for the courses from which you withdraw. Consult with the ACC Veterans Affairs Office before withdrawing from courses. You must notify the Veterans Affairs Office after any course changes.

Work-Study

The VA Work-Study Program permits veterans who are enrolled at 3/4 time (nine semester hours) or more to work at selected locations in the Austin area for wages equal to the state or federal minimum wage. Veterans are generally allowed to work a maximum of 25 hours per week during the semester.

Developmental education

The VA will pay for developmental education courses only if the veteran has taken a Texas Success Initiative assessment and the resulting scores indicate a need for developmental education.

Veterans who are required to take developmental education courses will be withdrawn from all courses if they do not enroll in required course(s).

Developmental labs are not certifiable and will not be paid for.

Semester certification requirement

Veterans must complete and sign a VA checklist (PDF) for each semester they receive benefits.

Financial responsibility

Students are responsible for the cost of all tuition, fees, and books.