The GI Bill® and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
To qualify for VA Educational Benefits, including the GI Bill® or Dependents’ Educational Assistance, students must be enrolled in an eligible career training program. For 2023-2024, eligible career majors include Practical Nursing, Cosmetology, Culinarian (evening only), Nail Technician, and Esthetician.
VA beneficiaries must turn in a completed Evaluation of Previous Training and Credit Form to the Financial Aid Office before the Veteran Benefits will be certified. Your instructor will help you complete this form.
Students may apply online at the Veterans Affairs website, under “Education,” and click "Apply for education benefits." Students may call the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1.888.442.4551 to receive more information on which chapter of benefits they are eligible to receive and the amount of money they can expect.
When the Department of Veterans Affairs approves the application, they will send the student a Certificate of Eligibility. The student must bring a copy of this letter to the Financial Aid Office.
Any student who has served in the military must bring a copy of his or her military transcript and transcripts from all prior post-secondary institutions to the Financial Aid Office. Military transcripts for Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy: Active Duty, Reserve, and Veterans may be obtained at Joint Services Transcript by clicking on register and print both transcript and summary. Air Force service member transcripts may be requested through Community College of the Air Force.
The student’s instructor must complete the Evaluation of Previous Education and Training. The student, instructor, and Financial Aid Office must all sign this form. This applies to all students, even if they have never attended a post-secondary institution or served in the military.
Once the student has brought the certificate of eligibility, copies of all transcripts, and the Evaluation of Previous Education and Training Form to the Financial Aid Office, the student’s enrollment will be certified.
Enrollment certification will be take place at the beginning of each term if the student remains eligible and the student requests to be certified for the term. If a student falls below the school’s attendance policy within the term, benefits will be terminated for the term. Students must also have at least a C average and a 70 percent progress rate to remain in good standing. Students who do not meet these policies will lose eligibility for VA Benefits at Francis Tuttle until s/he once again meets the standards. Students whose benefits are suspended have the right to appeal by writing a letter to the Financial Aid Office. The appeals committee will respond to the student’s appeal within two weeks.
GI Bill ® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Veteran Readiness and Employment
Students with a service-connected disability that limits their ability to work or prevents them from working may qualify for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR and E).
Military Tuition Waiver for Career Training Programs
Students who have served in the military may qualify for a tuition waiver. To qualify, the student must be an Oklahoma resident enrolled in a long-term Career Training program. The student must complete the Military Tuition Waiver application and submit it to the Financial Aid Office with a copy of Form DD-214 to show the student’s dates of service. Students using the GI Bill® may utilize this tuition waiver if they choose; however, the school will report $0 in tuition to the VA.
Military Tuition Waiver for Lifelong Learning Classes
Qualified, active duty military, reserves, National Guard, and veterans receive free tuition for short-term Lifelong Learning Classes. The individual is responsible for books and any student fees. To be eligible for the discount, an individual must currently be a member of the armed forces or have received an honorable discharge from the armed forces.
One of the following military documents is needed:
- Valid, current military ID
- Department of Defense Form DD-214 indicating an honorable discharge
- Valid, retired Military ID
- A veteran-designated driver’s license
- Veteran Health Insurance card