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Loyola University Maryland is recognized by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to offer education for Veterans and eligible dependents. Eligibility for all benefits is determined by the Veterans Administration (VA). For more information visit http://www.gibill.va.gov, or contact the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551.
Veterans and eligible dependents will not be certified for courses taken on an audit basis or those that do not fulfill degree requirements in the program the student is enrolled in. In some cases, actions permitted by Loyola University Maryland may result in a reduction or termination of the student's education benefits by the Veterans Administration under their regulations. This, in turn, may result in a student debt. The student is advised to consult Loyola University Maryland's School Certifying Official (SCO) when registering, withdrawing, adding, or discontinuing attendance. Students can contact the University SCO at vabenefits@loyola.edu or 410-617-2347.
Using Veterans Education Benefits While at Loyola University Maryland
An enrollment certification for Veteran education benefits contains the number of credits a student is taking as well as tuition costs, location and method of course delivery (resident or distance) Any changes to a student schedule must be reported to the VA and may result in the creation of a debt. Before making any changes in enrollment, students should contact Loyola University Maryland's SCO to discuss the potential financial impact of a change in schedule for the semester.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
All students receiving VA education benefits are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress according to published standards established and enforced by the University. Loyola University Maryland's Standards of Progress have been approved by the State Approving Agency (SAA) and accepted by the VA.
U.S. Code, Title 38, Sections 1674 and 1724, require that education assistance benefits to Veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of their training objective. Accordingly, Loyola University Maryland will discontinue certification of enrollment and will inform the VA of a termination of benefit usage at the University due to unsatisfactory academic progress. Students have a right to appeal terminations with the VA.
Graduate SAP guidelines
Repeating Classes
Benefits will not be paid for repeating courses in which a passing grade is received. For graduate students, a passing grade is C (2.000) or better. The only exception (at this time) is when University policy requires that the student earn a higher grade in a specific course. There is, otherwise, no limit on the number of times an eligible person may repeat a course for which a failing (or otherwise unacceptable) grade is received, provided the University's overall Satisfactory Progress Standards are met.
Study Abroad
Loyola University Maryland students who receive Veteran education benefits are only allowed to apply them to Loyola faculty-led programs (if all courses are taught by Loyola faculty) OR to direct enroll at certain pre-approved overseas institutions. Students are encouraged to contact the School Certifying Official at vabenefits@loyola.edu or by phone 410-617-2347 and the Office of International Programs to discuss their options.
Tutorial Assistance
Tutorial assistance may be paid to eligible Veterans enrolled at least half-time and receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, and 1606. (Note: Loyola does not participate in VEAP, Chapter 32.) Tutorial assistance aids the student in defraying tutorial expenses and will be paid to reimburse reasonable charges by a tutor. To qualify, students must have a weakness in a subject for which the professor deems tutoring necessary. The annual maximum benefit is $1,200. A charge to entitlement will be made for assistance received in excess of $600 by Chapters 30 and 1606. There is no entitlement charge under Chapters 33 or 35.
Information on using tutorial assistance may be found on the VA website: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/tutor-assistance/.
Types of Veteran Education Benefits Accepted at Loyola University Maryland
Benefit rates can be found in the VA's Education and Training page Rate Tables.
Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30)
Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (GI Bill®, Chapter 33)
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35)
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606)
Yellow Ribbon Program
Loyola University Maryland is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Any graduate or undergraduate student studying in the Loyola College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, or Sellinger School of Business and Management who has been deemed eligible for participation by the Veterans Administration may use Yellow Ribbon funds to assist in payment of tuition.
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed either the annual maximum cap for private institutions or the resident tuition and fees for a public institution. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. 1
Veterans and dependents entitled to the maximum benefit rate, (including recipients of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship) may receive this funding. Effective August 1, 2022, active-duty service members may participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. 1
1. VA.gov: Veterans Affairs
223D - https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon/yellow_ribbon_info_schools.asp
Principles of Excellence Program
Loyola University Maryland participates in the Principles of Excellence program, which requires adherence to the following guidelines:
- Provide students with a personalized form covering the total cost of an education program.
- Provide educational plans for all military and Veteran education beneficiaries.
- End fraudulent and aggressive recruiting techniques and misrepresentations.
- Accommodate Servicemembers and Reservists absent due to service requirements.
- Designate a point of contact to provide academic and financial advice.
- Ensure accreditation of all new programs prior to enrolling students.
- Align institutional refund policies with those under Title IV, which governs the administration of federal student financial aid programs. 2
2. VA.gov: Veterans Affairs
223D - https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/principles_of_excellence.asp
Title 38 Policy Regarding Covered Students
Loyola University Maryland complies with section 3679 (e) of title 38, United States Code, regarding students using Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) or Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) education benefits. These students are referred to in Loyola University Maryland policy as covered students.
Covered students are permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the student provides a Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or VAF 28-1905, and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
- The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
- 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility.
Loyola University Maryland does not impose any penalty upon covered students because of the individual's inability to meet financial obligations to the institution due to delayed disbursement of funding from VA under Chapter 31 or 33. Specifically, there will be no assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds for covered students during the period detailed above.
United States Code Section 3679 (e) is located on the U.S. House of Representatives' Office of Law Revision Counsel United States Code website at: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:38%20section:3679%20edition:prelim)
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the US. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official US. government Website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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