Admission Information for Veterans Administration and Social Security Benefits

The University of Florida is approved for the education and training of veterans, spouse or dependents of veterans (100 percent disabled or deceased service connected), by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. Ten federal public laws currently provide education/job-training programs for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) eligible students. The four programs serving most students are Chapter 30 for U.S. Military Veterans, Chapter 31 for Disabled U.S. Military Veterans, Chapter 35 for Spouse and Children of Deceased or 100 percent Disabled Veterans (service connected), and Chapter 1606 for personnel in the National Guard or U.S. Military Reserves. Students may contact the Office of the University Registrar or the DVA counseling center for specific program information such as terms of payment, months of eligibility and an additional allowance under the DVA work-study program.

University of Florida students who may be eligible for a particular DVA educational program must obtain and submit a completed Application for Educational Benefits to the Office of the University Registrar. This office will then certify the student for full-time (undergraduate 12 hours, graduate 9 hours) or part-time educational benefits in accordance with DVA rules and regulations. The Atlanta Regional Processing Office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will make a determination of eligibility based on official service records, evidence submitted by the student, and applicable laws for veterans. Students who have already established their DVA program eligibility at another college or university must submit a completed Change of Program or Place of Training form to the University Registrar, as well as a University of Florida Certification of Enrollment Request. All forms are available at the University of Florida Registrar Information Counter in 222 Criser Hall. This office also can provide confirmation of student status for DVA health care or other benefits.

At the end of the term, if an undergraduate student’s cumulative grade point average falls below a 2.0 (C) average, the student is warned. At the end of the next term of enrollment, if the cumulative grade point average remains below a 2.0 (C) average, the DVA is notified of termination for unsatisfactory progress for DVA pay purposes. Students must meet the conditions of the University of Florida readmission standards to become eligible for DVA educational programs.

Inquiries relating to Social Security benefits should be directed to the student’s local Social Security Office. The Office of the University Registrar will submit enrollment certificates issued by the Social Security Administration for students eligible to receive educational benefits under the Social Security Act, providing the undergraduate student registers for 12 credit hours or more.

A full-time undergraduate load for DVA or Social Security benefits is 12 credit hours per semester.