Veteran’s Benefits

For information regarding veteran’s benefits, contact the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office certifies student enrollment with the Veteran’s Administration for the students enrolled in the East Texas area taking on-ground courses at the Longview campus and online students.

The University does not determine eligibility for payment nor the amount of veteran’s benefits. Eligibility and amount of benefits are determined by the Veteran’s Administration.

Students are responsible for notifying the University of any enrollment status or class status change.

As part of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679(e) of Title 38, United States Code was amended:

NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill ® benefits.

 
® - GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
 

• Our policy permits any covered individual to attend the course of education beginning on the date the individual provides a Certificate of Eligibility letter to the Registrar’s Office for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapters 31, 35, 1606, or 33 (a Certificate of Eligibility may also include a Statement of Benefits obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website (eBenefits) or a VAF 28-1905 form for Chapter 31 authorization) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
   

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

• Our policy ensures your educational institution will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Public Law 117-328, which was signed on December 29, 2022, adds to Title 38 of the U.S. Code a new section, section 3691A “Withdrawal or leave of absence from certain education.” Section 3691A creates new obligations for colleges and universities when an enrolled student who is a member of the Armed Forces (including reserve components) receives orders “to perform a period of service” (i.e., active duty, inactive duty training, or state service).

Specifically, 38 U.S.C. §3691A(a)(2)(B) provides that an educational institution may not take the following actions when a member receives orders for a period of service:

• Assigning the member a failing grade,
• Reducing the member’s grade point average,
• Characterizing any member’s absence(s) as unexcused, or
• Assessing a financial penalty on a member because of a withdraw or leave of absence due to receiving orders for service.

Additionally, 38 U.S.C. §3691A(b) provides that an educational institution must take the following actions when a member withdraws due to receiving orders for a period of service:

• Refunding all tuition and fees paid for the academic term to the appropriate party. Please note that VA’s interpretation of academic term is the term as reported to your State Approving Agency and VA.
• Refunding payments made by the student (or behalf of the student) to the institution for housing. Please note that in this instance the reference to housing is not the monthly housing allowance provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill but rather housing costs such as dorm fees.

Finally, 38 U.S.C. §3691A(c) provides that an educational institution must take the following actions when a member takes a leave of absence from a course(s) due to receiving orders for a period of service:

• Assigning a grade of incomplete (or equivalent) for the course(s) during the term, and
• Providing the opportunity to complete the term after the period of service.

Special Note:  Students who must take a break from their education due to obligations of military service will be readmitted to LeTourneau University in accordance with policies outlined by the U.S. Department of Education. For details, please consult Frequently Asked Questions: Institutional Readmission Requirements for Servicemembers  (https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/readmission.html).