Veteran’s Affairs
Thank you for considering WPCC as you begin or continue your educational career. Our office provides assistance to veterans, service members, and eligible family members who wish to receive VA Education Benefits while enrolled in curriculum programs at WPCC. To get started, please refer to the links to the left or contact our office for additional information.
Allowing Veterans to Attend or Participate in Courses Pending VA Payment
Section 103 of Public Law (PL) 115-407, ‘Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018,’ amends Title 38 US Code 3679 by adding a new subsection (e) that requires disapproval of courses of education, beginning August 1, 2019, at any educational institution that does not have a policy in place that will allow an individual to attend or participate in a course of education, pending VA payment, providing the individual submits a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33.
Pending Payment Compliance
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Western Piedmont Community College 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 Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Western Piedmont Community College 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 are required to:
- Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.
In-State Tuition Policy
Pursuant to the Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, effective August 1, 2021: Western Piedmont Community College will NOT charge a tuition rate higher than the rate charged for residents of North Carolina to any covered individual receiving educational assistance under Chapters 30, 31, or 33, as long as the covered individual is currently living in North Carolina (regardless of the covered individual’s State of legal residence). In addition, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021 now includes CH35 beneficiaries as covered individuals for the purpose of receiving in-state tuition rates.
Per Department of Defense guidelines the following resources are available to assist veterans in making a college selection:
- College Scorecard
A planning tool and resource to assist students and their families as they evaluate options in selecting a school. - College Navigator
The College Navigator tool allows students to search a national database for admissions statistics, retention and graduation rates, financial aid, program/majors, etc., to assist in evaluating and comparing different colleges. - Financial Aid Shopping Sheet
The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet is a consumer tool designed to help students understand costs and financial aid associated with the school they are attending and is made available to WPCC students through their Pioneer Pass account. Simply login to Pioneer Pass and select the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet link to the left side of the page. - Paying for College: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Paying for College web site allows students to view and compare detailed financial information from up to three schools at a time.
Resources for Veterans
- Transitioning from Service: Advice and Resources for Veterans
- Succeeding in School: Advice and Resources for Transitioning to Higher Education
- Social Isolation: Signs and Resources to Address Social Withdrawal
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Contact WPCC’s VA School Certifying Official (SCO)
For more information, please contact
Cody Helms
VA School Certifying Official
(828) 448-3151
You can also submit your request below.