Occasionally, VA students may be overpaid. Overpayments may result from students receiving grades (I, W, X, etc.) that are not used in computing requirements for graduation. Another major cause may be due to the student's failure to report course changes immediately to the Financial Assistance Services (FAS) office or when an instructor reports poor attendance by a VA student.

To avoid overpayment of benefits, students MUST report in writing any changes in credit hours (drop/add, withdrawal or termination) to the FAS office. All overpayments must be repaid to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Interest and administrative fees may be assessed and added to the original amount of the debt until it is cleared. Failure to repay an overpayment will result in an adverse credit rating. Debt collection may be turned over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a collection agency.

BREAK PAY

Break pay is a benefit paid to DVA students for periods between two consecutive terms, provided VA training time is rated half-time or more each term. The pay rate is identical to the rate paid on the last day of the term preceding the break. This benefit counts against total DVA entitlement and is automatically awarded unless specifically denied in writing. Break pay cannot be paid if the following conditions exist:

• The interval exceeds 56 days.
• The interval exceeds 30 days and the student is transferring from one school to another but remains in the same program.
• The student is transferring from one school to another and is also changing programs.
• The student is on active duty.
• The student was attending at less than half-time the previous term.
• The student's entitlement will expire during the break. (It is more advantageous to use it during the subsequent term for Chapters 30, 34/30 and 1606 beneficiaries.)
  
  

VA WORK STUDY

Veterans and dependents that are enrolled at least three-quarter time are eligible to apply for the DVA Work Study Program (9 to 11 credit hours). The DVA will pay a non-taxable allowance equal to the federal minimum wage for up to the total number of hours the contact allows, usually 20-25 hours per week. The hours are to be worked during or between enrollment periods. Possible DVA Work Study employment sites:

• WorkNet Pinellas One-Stop - (727) 524-4344
• Bay Pines Medical Center - (727) 398-6661
• VA Regional Office - (727) 319-5973
  
  

There are a very limited number of St. Petersburg College (SPC) work-study positions available at the FAS office at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs and Clearwater campuses.