Veteran Students

LIU recruits international students across all majors, both undergraduate and graduate students. Each campus has a Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and Designated School Officials (DSO). These staff members are housed in Enrollment Services.

PDSO and DSO staff members are responsible for being familiar and enforcing immigration regulations relating to the requirements for admission and maintenance of status of nonimmigrant students.

PDSO and DSO staff members are responsible for maintaining accurate records in SEVIS, releasing a transferring student, terminating a student for failure to maintain status, and approving the following benefits for students: • Employment • Reduced course load • Reinstatement of F or M nonimmigrant status • Post Completion Optical Practicum Training (OPT)

If a coach makes a change to an international student’s program or alters the amount of credits that they are taking, it is imperative that the coach contact the campus PDSO/DSO to inform them of the change.

Any inquires related to international students should be sent via email to: Post-ISS@liu.edu or Bkln-ISS@liu.edu.

Veteran Students

Overview

The students who are receiving educational benefits are either veterans themselves or they are veteran dependents (child or spouse). Because of all of the branches, timelines, leadership opportunities, and ever-changing areas to serve, they are separated in “chapters”.

Chapters

• Chapter 30- Montgomery G.I Bill This is not as common, but we still have a few students who are part of this chapter. This applies to Veterans who began active duty service for the first time after June 30, 1985. They MUST possess an Honorable discharge. • Chapter 31- VOAC Rehab The VOAC REHAB is a Vocational rehabilitation and employment benefit. They have been discharged and apply to this program. They receive a specific counselor through the program that advises them and pays for all tuition, fees, books, and basically Cohort Facilitation Guide

anything that they need to be a successful student. You certify them normally, but then connect with Katelyn (see contacts section for more information). • Chapter 33- Post 9/11 G.I Bill

Chapter 33 is most common but you must focus on their PERCENTAGE. Not all students are 100% Yellow Ribbon. If they are yellow ribbon, this means that we have an agreement with the VA that we will match whatever the balance is left over after their

G.I bill is processed. • Chapter 35- Sgt. Fry Memorial

Chapter 35 students are dependents of Veterans who have served and are either totally disabled or have died as a result of service. You still certify them normally, but the money is given directly to the student and they must pay the school with those monies.

We do not receive direct checks from the VA for Chapter 35 students. • Chapter 1606- Sel. Res. G.I. Bill • Chapter 1607- Sel. Res. G.I. Bill

This is a tuition assistance program.

Certification

To certify a student, they must first show their COE (Certification of Eligibility). This document is administered by Veteran Affairs (VA) and informs LIU how much in educational benefits a student has remaining. If a student has benefits, they complete a Pedigree Form and request for certification. A request for certification must be completed each semester after a student registers for classes, while the Pedigree must only be completed once on entry to LIU.

For certification purposes, students must be full-time and their registered credits must count towards their degree progress. The student will receive notification from the VA ONCE website and will begin receiving their monthly housing allowance after a few weeks. Funds will be disbursed directly from the VA to LIU after the Add/Drop deadline.

The VA will not pay directly for any funds except tuition and fees. All other charges, including mandatory dining dollars, are the responsibility of the student to pay using their VA BAH allowance.

It is the responsibility of the student to submit a certification request if anything changes.

Financial Aid

As mentioned in previous sections, financial aid and enrollment services plays a big part in this process. After all, educational benefits are about the money that these students are entitled to. Depending on your role in the institution, you might not see everything on their People Soft account. It is in your best interest to contact someone in Financial Aid/Enrollment Services to

be sure of what their bill is. Below are some quick ways you can check to see some general information.

How to See if a FAFSA is on File:

• Financial Aid • Federal Application Data o Correct 2020-2021 ISIR Records

How to Check a Student’s Checklist:

• Financial Aid • View Financial Aid Status o Scroll to view checklist  Initiated: Document is Outstanding  Received: Document is received / Still needs to be reviewed  Waived: Document was determined it is no longer required  Completed: Document has been reviewed and approved / accepted

How to View Awarded Aid:

• Financial Aid • Awards • View Term Award Summary

How to See Account Charges:

• Student Financials • Customer Accounts • Enter ID o Use Account Details to drill down for specific charges; or o Click Items by Term

How to View Anticipated Aid:

• Student Financials • Customer Accounts • Enter ID • Click on Anticipated Aid o Date: Date the aid went up as anticipated aid o Apply Date: First possible date the funding can disburse Expire Date: Date disbursement will no longer be anticipated (will remove)