Updates for Veterans about COVID-19

In the interest of the student body and public health, UL Lafayette leaders have made the decision to move to remote learning beginning Wednesday, March 18 (classes canceled 3/16 and 3/17). Some of you have had questions concerning your VA Benefit payments, especially those receiving housing allowances.

Below is the communication you may have already received from the VA. The bolded statement from VA's notice below is our current situation.

What is the impact, if any, to GI Bill recipients when their schools are either closed or has directed their students to take classes online as a result of precautions taken due to COVID-19? The answer will depend on the type of action taken by the school, the timing of the action, and the current program approval.

• If a school temporarily closes due to an established policy based on an Executive order of the President or due to an emergency situation, VA may continue benefit payments (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) for up to 4 weeks during a 12-month period.  This authority, and limitation, are codified in statute (38 U.S.C. § 3680(a)(2)(A).
• If the school remains open (virtually, rather than physically), and students are transitioned to pursuit solely through online classes, then benefit payments will be impacted as follows:
  • If the switch from training in-residence to online classes occurs during the term, and the program has been approved by the State Approving Agency for delivery through an online modality, then benefit payments (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) will remain unchanged for the remainder of that term.
  • However, for any subsequent terms pursued solely online, the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will be reduced to one-half of the national average of DoD’s Basic Allowance for Housing rates for an E-5 with dependents.  The limitations on MHA rates are codified in statute (38 U.S.C. § 3313(c)(1)(B)(iii).
  • Lastly, if the program has not been approved by the State Approving Agency for delivery through an online modality, benefit payments will completely stop (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) when students begin training online.
• If you have questions about your specific circumstance, please contact the Education Call Center at: 1-888-442-4551 between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.

All of the University's degree programs are approved for delivery through an online modality so benefit payments will remain unchanged. The only changes that will be submitted are withdrawals (official and unofficial). Please send an email to veterans@louisiana.edu if you withdraw from a course.

We are currently working our Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 Enrollment Certification Forms and they will be emailed out when registration opens. You will submit the form by email to veterans@louisiana.edu. No advising form or additional documentation will be required. We will collaborate with your advisor, if necessary, to verify courses.

Please adhere to advise, warnings, and guidelines issued. Your safety and health is foremost in our thoughts and concerns. We know that this may be a stressful time. The Veteran and Military Student Services office will be available via email and phone.

Main Office:
veterans@louisiana.edu
337-482-5206

Sammi's Office:
sammi@louisiana.edu
337-482-5814

Ryan's Office:
ryan@louisiana.edu
337-482-5771

Note: The SSS-V Computer Lab in Foster Hall will be closed.