Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the GI Bill program at Sessions:
Q: Can I use GI Bill funds for courses and programs?
A: Just programs—not individual courses. Education benefit payments are only available for programs that are vocational and at least six months in length. Funding is available for any graphic design, Web design, multimedia arts, digital arts, marketing design, and game art certificate program.
Q: What % of my tuition is covered by GI Bill funding?
A: Because Sessions is approved as a "correspondence school" the maximum amount Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) will reimburse is 55% of tuition, paid on a quarterly basis. However, because Sessions honors the service of veterans and armed service members, Sessions also offers 20% tuition discount to eligible students. In effect, students who complete the program will receive a 75% discount on the tuition for the program.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the program?
A: The guidelines provided by the VA are that "eligible veterans, eligible spouses, and surviving spouses" are eligible to receive education benefit payments. Children or dependent children are not eligible.
Q: How do I find out if I’m eligible?
A: To establish your eligibility for education benefit payments, you must first complete VA form 22-1990 and send it to the New York State VA office. Eligible spouses must complete VA form 22-5490
Veterans: Click here to download VA form 22-1990. Spouses: Click here to download VA form 22-5490.
Forms should be competed and sent to:
VA Regional Office,
P. O. Box 4616,
Buffalo,
NY 14240-4616
Before proceeding further, you should wait for the VA to process your application and notify you if you are eligible for education assistance.
Q: What enrollment options are available?
A: You can enroll by paying full tuition or by a payment plan.
Q: Once enrolled, can I start right away?
A: After enrollment, you have a 10-day waiting period before submitting a signed affirmation. You can begin student orientation during this period, but the VA will not reimburse you for any school work submitted during this period. If you decide to cancel your enrollment, you will receive a refund of the total amount paid. After 10 days, cancelling students are liable for a $50.00 registration fee plus a pro rata fee for any lessons completed.
Q: What do I have to do to confirm my enrollment after the waiting period?
A: Twelve (12) calendar days after your enrollment, Sessions Student Services will email you the VA form 22-1999c form to the email address listed in your student account. You'll need to complete and sign VA form 22-1999c which affirms the Enrollment Agreement and mail it to Sessions. Sessions Student Services will email you this form to the email address listed in your student account. Once the form is received, Sessions will confirm your enrollment with the VA. Again, please note that completing this step is essential to obtaining education benefit payments from the VA.
Q: When and how do I get education benefit payments from the VA?
A: At the end of each quarter, the VA will send you VA form 22-6553d-1, asking you to list your courses/lessons completed. You will need to complete this and mail it to Sessions, who will certify your courses as taken-and-completed and forward this information to the VA. The VA will reimburse you for 55% of the tuition of all lessons completed during the quarter.
Q: What if I require a leave of absence or decide to withdraw?
A: For any change of status, you should notify Sessions as soon as possible within 30 days. Regarding a leave of absence, all Sessions certificate students have the option of extending their program by up to six months beyond their program end date for no additional tuition charge. For program withdrawals, please refer to the Sessions pro rata refund policy.
Q: If I am eligible and I am already enrolled in a certificate program at Sessions, can I receive education benefit payments from the VA?
A: Yes, if you enrolled after August 1, 2007. You will need to first confirm your eligibility with the VA (Veterans: Click here to download VA form 22-1990. Spouses: Click here to download VA form 22-5490) then contact Sessions to facilitate your claim.
Q: Who are the Veteran Certifying Officials (VCOs) at Sessions?
A:
Bob Timm, Scott Chappell, April Cejrowski, and Nomi Altabef.
Any questions relating to this program should be directed to: gibill@sessions.edu or 212 239 3080 ext. 121.
Any mailed correspondence should be sent to:
Veteran’s Certifying Official
GI Bill Program
Sessions Online
350 7th Avenue, Suite 1203
New York, NY 10001
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