Pinellas Technical College welcomes veterans and their dependents. Most of the full-time programs offered are approved for veterans (VA) educational benefits. In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill^® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.  This school will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
• Provide a written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies 

Chapter 35 VA students will not be certified for any program taught in whole or in part in an online, distance learning, independent study, hybrid, or blended format.  All other veterans can attend 100% online, but their benefits will reflect this option.

Applicants’ previous training and/or experience will be evaluated by the school to determine placement.  Should hours be accepted, the training time will be reduced accordingly.

When the applicant has completed the enrollment procedures and begins classes, the Veteran Certifying Official will notify the VA by forwarding appropriate forms.

Veteran's Attendance Policy

Time missed due to early departures, class cuts, tardies, etc., for any portion of a class period will proportionately reduce the student’s overall grade in the end of fee period calculation when determining satisfactory academic progress.  Academic progress is calculated by dividing Standard Hours Completed by Enrolled Class Hours. Attendance is calculated by dividing Hours Attended by Enrolled Class Hours.

The Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs will be notified by the school’s Certifying Official if the veteran is placed on academic probation.  If the VA student’s academic progress is unsatisfactory at the end of the probationary period, the student’s educational benefits will be terminated.

Appeal Process

Students may appeal the denial status of their financial aid by submitting a written request to the Financial Aid Office detailing the student’s personal mitigating circumstances.  Some circumstances such as medical problems, illness or death in the family, or divorce shall be considered for an appeal.  Appeals must be accompanied by documentation from a third party such as a family physician or lawyer.  All appeals will be reviewed by the financial aid specialist and an administrator.  The student will receive a response to the appeal within one week from the date the financial aid office receives all documentation.  If the student finds this decision unsatisfactory, the student may appeal to the campus director.  The campus director’s decision on the appeal will be final.