ADMISSIONS
Military: Military Education Benefits
Services for Military & Veteran Students
The Los Angeles Film School Military Services Department
The Los Angeles Film School is approved to train veterans by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE). CSAAVE operates under contract with the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the authority of federal law, Title 38 U.S.C. CSAAVE operates as part of the government of the State of California.
The Los Angeles Film School is approved for Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and U.S government tuition assistance through the DODMOU.
The Los Angeles Film School is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity College Consortium.
About Education Benefit Programs
In some cases military educational benefits will not cover the entire cost of tuition. All military students with a gap in tuition will need to secure their enrollment in congruence with school policies prior to starting class. Veteran students applying for military benefits are encouraged to speak with a military admission representative or military transition manager at The Los Angeles Film School prior to enrolling for any benefit; please call the main line or email: military@lafilm.com.
The Los Angeles Film School administers the following benefits:
Military Tuition Assistance
Eligibility and amount of active duty or reserve tuition assistance is determined by the branch of service. Students must independently apply for tuition assistance through their command/on base. Tuition assistance is paid directly to the institution.
Chapter 30, The Montgomery G.I. Bill-Active Duty
For veterans who entered active duty beginning July 1, 1985 and who participated in the 12-month pay reduction program while on active duty. Also includes Chapter 32 active duty persons with eligibility as of October 1, 1996 who elected to participate in the Montgomery G.I. Bill. Eligibility is decided by the VA. Benefits are paid directly to the student.
Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
For veterans with a service-connected disability, or who are rated 10 percent of more disabled according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility is decided by a VA caseworker. Tuition is paid directly to the school; other benefits may be paid to the student.
Chapter 32, Veterans Educational Assistance Program
For veterans who entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and who contributed to the program while on active duty.
Chapter 33, The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill
Veterans who have accumulated at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001 with an honorable discharge, or those who received a service-connected disability after 30 days of service, may be eligible for Chapter 33, as determined by the VA. Tuition and fees are paid directly to the school, with BAH and book stipends paid directly to the student. All payments are proportionate to Chapter 33 eligibility rating, with BAH payments based on DoD calculator (use school zip code for an E-5 with dependents). This benefit is frequently revised. Please refer to the VA for comprehensive changes to this benefit.
Chapter 33/TEB, The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Transfer
This option is for Chapter 33-eligible service members to transfer unused benefits wholly or in increments to spouses and/or children.
The Yellow Ribbon Program, A Component of Chapter 33, the Post-9/11 GI Bill
Our institution is a proud participant in this joint tuition grant-matching program with VA for students who are entitled to the 100% eligibility rate. Yellow Ribbon amounts are applied solely and directly to tuition. Any overages in payment received by The Los Angeles Film School will be refunded directly to VA.
Chapter 35, Survivors and Dependents Assistance Program
For spouses or children of veterans who died on active duty, whose death was caused by a service-connected disability, or who are rated by the VA as 100 percent permanently disabled.
Chapter 1606, The Montgomery G.I. Bill-Selected Reserve
Benefits are paid directly to eligible individuals who have committed to the required length of enlistment in the Selected Reserve.
Chapter 1607, Reserve Educational Assistance Program
Chapter 1607 is potentially payable for individuals in the reserves who were recalled for active duty for at least 90 days beginning September 11, 2001 or later. Eligibility is determined by either DoD or DHS.
MyCAA, Military Spouse Career Advancement Account
MyCAA is available to spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2, including the spouses of activated Guard and Reserve members within those ranks. Spouses of Guard and Reserve members must be able to start and complete their courses while their sponsor is on Title 10 orders.
VRAP, Veterans Retraining and Assistance Program
The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who: Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old, are unemployed on the date of application, received an other than dishonorable discharge, are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program, are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability and are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program.
Benefit Recipient Responsibilities
Veterans receiving Veteran Administration funding for any portion of their program are responsible to directly notify the campus certifying official or military benefits officer of any change of status in their program to include:
1. Transferring credits to program from another institution
2. Testing out of a class
3. Receipt of a failing grade for an entire class
4. Modifications to the original program sequence as outlined in the catalog
5. Change of program
6. Switching from an accelerated program track to an extended track or vice versa
7. Exiting the program
Students are expected to contact the military benefits officer by visiting in person, speaking with them over the telephone, or emailing: military@lafilm.com.
Failure to communicate program changes may cause overpayment or underpayment of tuition and/or fees, which may result in debt collection practices from the VA’s Debt Management agency or BAH withholding. VA instructs institutions to cut refund checks to students who are issued overpayments for these reasons only, in accordance with The Los Angeles Film School refund policy. All other monies will be sent back to the issuing agency.
VA Refund Policy
The Los Angeles Film School complies with The Department of Veteran Affairs standards, which defers to institutional refund policy (outlined in the Refund Policies section). Military education benefits received for students who cancel their enrollment prior to matriculation will be sent directly back to the issuing agency.
Military Leave Policy
The School may grant more than one leave of absence in the event that unforeseen circumstances arise, such as military service requirements, provided that any combined leaves of absence do not exceed 180 days within the 12-month period. However, students who are issued military orders should communicate their obligation and activation dates as soon as possible to both the Student Services and Military Services Departments. The period of the leave of absence may not begin until the student has acknowledged the following:
1. A traditional leave of absence period may not exceed 180 days within any 12-month period and the school has approved a written and signed request for an approved leave of absence.
2. A military-service related leave of absence request that extends beyond 180 days must be accompanied with orders and the re-instatement to active student status
3. All school equipment loaned out to the student taking leave will need to be returned to the Equipment Room (ER) before the leave of absence is granted.
4. Re-entry into the program of study requires that students check back into school through the Student Services Departments to co-ordinate scheduling and be directed to the appropriate departments to include the military services department to re-instate program funding.
Upon submitting travel vouchers within the 180 day time frame and one month within the date on the approved travel voucher, military students will not be required to pay re-take fees for classes dropped due to the call to service using grants, VA monies, or cash. Further, military students will not be charged tuition for classes not yet taken. Official orders are required for consideration for an extended leave of absence beyond 180 days. Failure to return to school within the 180-day timeframe that are a result of extended military service leave will require approved military travel orders with no longer than one month between the military approval date and the re-instatement date. Every consideration to use existing credits will be exercised, however, extended absences may result in retakes or new classes that are part of a revised curriculum and will subject students to review by the Program Director.
