Veterans' Program

A student must be admitted and registered for courses in a degree-seeking program at Lubbock Christian University in order to be certified for veteran educational benefits. For more information about becoming an LCU student and selecting an academic program, please visit LCU Admissions.

To begin using benefits:

• Service Members:
  • Complete the online application at: www.va.gov/
  • Submit the following to the VA Representative:
    • Certificate of Eligibility
    • DD214
    • Military Transcript
      • Air Force: http://www.au.af.mil/au/barnes/ccaf/transcripts.asp
      • All other branches: http://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do
• Dependents:
  • Must have educational benefits transferred from service member and dependent must apply to use the benefits. Information and instruction for transferability of educational benefits to dependents can found at the following:
    • https:milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/
    • (Ch. 33) https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/
    • (Ch. 33 and 35)https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
• Transfer Students that have used benefits at another institution:
  • If student has previously used VA Benefits at another school, a Change of Place or Program Form must be completed online (www.va.gov)
    • Form 22-1995 for Veterans
    • Form 22-5495 for dependents

*All students using VA Educational Benefits are highly encouraged to visit with the Financial Aid Counselors and complete a FAFSA for additional financial assistance.

To use VA Educational Benefits at LCU:

• Veteran admission files must be complete and academic plans approved before the VA Certification Officer certifies enrollment for benefits.
• Only classes meeting degree requirements are eligible for certification of benefits.
• Changes in major, class schedule and substitutions must be reported to the VA within a limited time frame, so each change must be discussed with the registrar/certification officer at the time of the change.
• Students must be and remain in good academic standing to be eligible for benefits.

Lubbock Christian University is committed to providing support to assist veterans and their dependents in obtaining a college degree. Lubbock Christian University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Please read the eligibility requirements below and complete the application if eligible. Return completed application to the VA Certification Officer.

Yellow Ribbon Eligibility Requirements:

• The student must be approved by the VA to receive Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits at the 100% level. If your eligibility percentage is below 100%, you are not eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
• LCU Yellow Ribbon Scholarships are offered in lieu of all other LCU funded aid, including previously offered academic scholarships. If veteran benefits expire prior to graduation, academic scholarships may be reinstated as long as academic renewal requirements have been met.
• Renewal of LCU funded Yellow Ribbon contributions requires that you maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress towards your degree.
• Eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program is determined by the Veterans Affairs Administration and not LCU.
• The student must have entitlement left. (You will continue to use entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® while participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.)
• The student must provide the LCU VA Coordinator with the proper documentation needed to receive VA benefits under Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® while at Lubbock Christian University.
• The student must not be active duty or an active duty spouse.

Lubbock Christian University will require the student to be and remain in good academic standing. The LCU VA Certification Officer will communicate your eligibility for Yellow Ribbon to the Financial Aid office.

To begin using benefits at LCU we will need:

• Copy of Certificate of Eligibility
• Copy of DD214 (service member only)
• Official military transcript (service member only)

Expected Timeline:

• Approximately 2 weeks before the start of the new semester credit hours are certified to VA
  • This starts the direct payments for:
    • BAH – monthly payment for housing while attending classes. Paid the first day of the following month and partial months of attendance are pro-rated.
    • Book Stipend – must take money to LCU Business Office if you charge books to your LCU student account through the LCU bookstore
• After financial aid is disbursed, tuition and fee amounts are certified to VA and paid directly to LCU.
  • Timing depends upon the financial aid you are receiving and could be several weeks into the semester
• Tuition and fee amount certified is calculated as follows:
  • All non-title IV funds are subtracted from the total tuition and fees amount certified
  • Pell Grant and accepted loans usually do not affect the certified amount for tuition and fees
  • NOTE: ONLY tuition and mandatory fees for courses in your degree plan can be certified to the VA

Your responsibilities:

• Any out of pocket expenses for classes (including fees) that are not applicable to your degree plan and cannot be certified to VA. You are responsible for these expenses.
• Submitting payment for housing (if living on campus)
• Submitting payment, or using your book stipend, for book expenses (to LCU ChapStore or Student Business Office if books were charged to your tuition and fee account)
• Informing certifying official of any changes in benefits, schedule, major, minor, etc.
• Ensuring that you remain in good academic standing.

Suggestions:

• Set up an account at www.ebenefits.va.gov. This will allow you to view certifications, payments, forms and more.
• Set up a direct deposit account. This allows for more timely receipt of payments.
• VA Student Hotline: 1-888-442-4551