VA FAQs

Hello VA students, 

Below you will find the process we follow every semester with our VA certifications.

*New students (first semester with our institution)-The certification process starts on the second Monday after their first week of school.

For Example, school started September 11th and those students get certified between the 18 - 22 of September.

*Existing students (anyone that has attended a prior semester) - Certification starts after the add/drop deadline, for the Fall 2023 semester is September 22nd at 6PM.

For example:

Fall 2023 semester certification for all students receiving VA benefits: 

• Once a student has been certified, it normally takes about 2 days for the VA to see the certification in their system.

• If you feel that you have a hardship while you are waiting for payment, feel free to contact the VA line and ask for one.  Unfortunately, they are getting so many hardships lately that it is taking longer than normal. 

Students, please keep in mind that school policies have to be followed and there is no variation to the policy.  Once a student is certified, it is out of our hands on how long it takes for the payments or any issues that the VA may encounter.

I am always available to clarify any issues or concerns.  My email is: vets@sanfranciscofilmschool.edu

Have a great semester!

Tammy Henriks

VA Manager

Every academic year (August 1 to July 31st), the Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) allows VA

to pay the actual net cost of tuition and fees not to exceed $27,120.05 an increase of about 5% from last year.  

What does that mean to you?  

Students under this benefit will most likely exceed that cap after the Spring semester.

So please keep up with the balance remaining in our account by contacting the VA or the school VA department .  Complete  this prior to enrolling in classes for following semesters to see what you have left to use for the next semester.  Any outstanding balances are the student's responsibilities.

In standard quarters or semesters, the VA measures training as follows:

12 credits of more is full time

9 -11 credits is 3/4 time

6 - 8 credits is 1/2 time

It will take a full pay period, if you are a first-time recipient of education benefits. If you have received benefits before, disbursement will occur on the first cycle.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program

This program provides comprehensive support, including computer equipment and training to help disabled vetereans reintegrate into the workforce.  San Francisco Film School cannot approve any equipment, this is something that has to be handled directly between the VA student and their VRE counselor.  The school does not have access to the VA files or counselor approvals and/or denials. 

The IRS does not list GI Bill benefits as income.  If you receive VA education benefits, the IRS says "There is no required action" for you to receive the federal tax exclusion.  Furthermore, IRS.gov advised "payments you receive for education, training, or subsistence under any law administered by the VA are tax free.  The school recommends that you check with a tax advisor.  SFFS is no responsible nor can it be held liable for any changes to this rule. 

Enrollment verification is a requirement for Post 9/11 Chapter 33 students.  You have to verify every month that you are still enrolled in the same courses or training at the same school that the VA received certification for. 

New enrollees will be able to opt into monthly enrollment verification by responding "YES" to the initial opt in messsage they receive from 44354.  If you do not respond within 14 days or reply "NO", the student will be automatically enrolled in email verification.  If a student wants to enroll in text verification after the opt in period, they will need to call the Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 to change their opt in method. 

Email Tammy Henriks, VA Manager, at vets@sanfranciscofilmschool.edu, as soon as you have any changes to report.

• Reporting credits/classes/tuition & fees

• Collecting all required documents (COE,DD214, correspondence from VA school records.

• Maintaining records of VA students and making them available for inspection by DVA or the SAA

• Keep up to date on state and federal regulations and benefits.

• Assist students with common and general VA questions.

• Monitor attendance, violations, unsatisfactory conduct.

• Refer students to VA websites for forms needed.

• Assist with questions on BAH payments.

• Questions specifically related or attached to your social security number (personal information will not be given to the school).

• Initial paperwork leading to the approval of benefits.

• Disputes, disagreements, change of banks for BAH payments,

• Applications and approval of VRE benefits.

• Assignment of VRE Counselors.

• Process payments. Schools have no control in respect to the timeline when your Bah payments are delivered or processed.

• VA students have to attend LRP week every semester at our campus in order to receive the "in residency" housing allowance BAH for the school zip code.  There are No Exceptions.  That includes health issues, Covid, not having funds to travel to the LRP, life circumstances, etc.  

• Once the school reports to the VA of the students absence from the mandatory "in residency" requirement, the student can reach out to the VA directly and discuss any medical issues or life events. It is up to the VA to grant waivers or anything needed and not the school. They are the only ones that can determine the course of action needed on your BAH funds and if they will allow any excuses.   

• If you are not receiving BAH (VRRAP students, if a student already used their allowable 12 months of housing) then reach out to the Registrar Department (dcunturso@sanfranciscofilmschool.edu) for any deduction in grades and how it will affect your academic record for LRP non-attendance.

• Extremely important: You will have to pay back to the VA any funds received for not fulfilling the mandatory requirements from the beginning of the semester until the end of the semester (it is not partial).

If a VA student is enrolled in at least one resident (in person) course during the term (LRP), then they are entitled to higher resident (in person) monthly housing rate (MHA).  Even if all other courses are taken online.  In addition to that, hybrid courses are certified as resident courses as long as the course meets at least one time in person on campuse during the term (LRP/5 days/ 100% attendance).  No exceptions. 

If the student doesn't fulfill the in residency requirement, SFFS will amend the student's certification and the VA will adjust the student's housing allowance accordingly.  This will create a debt for the student.  If this happens, the student will need to contact the VA directly once SFFS has reported the student's LRP attendance.  SFFS does not have access to the VA's hardships, waivers, etc..