Failing a class can be discouraging and stressful for any student. But for veterans using the GI Bill there’s often an extra layer of worry – will I have to pay back my GI Bill benefits if I fail a class?
The good news is, in most cases, you will not have to repay your GI Bill benefits for a failed class. As long as you attended the full semester and received a punitive failing grade, the VA considers that progress towards your degree, even if you don’t get credit for the class.
When You Don’t Have To Repay GI Bill Benefits
There are a few key situations where you can fail a class without having to repay any GI Bill funds
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You attended the full semester and received a failing grade As long as you participated in the full term and received a “punitive failing grade” you won’t owe any money back to the VA. The VA views a failing grade as progress towards graduation, even if you don’t earn any credits for the class.
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You retake a failed class: Veterans can retake failed classes using GI Bill benefits until they pass. The VA will continue paying for you to retake a failed class as many times as needed to pass and get credit towards graduation.
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You drop a class but remain enrolled: If you drop a class during the drop/add period but remain enrolled in other classes, you won’t owe anything back. The VA looks at your total credit load to determine your payment, not individual classes.
The key is that you must receive some sort of “punitive grade” that counts towards your degree progress. As long as the failed or dropped class affects your GPA or degree progress in some way, you won’t have to repay benefits.
When You Will Owe GI Bill Funds Back
There are a few scenarios where failing or dropping a course will trigger repayment of GI Bill benefits:
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You drop all courses and receive non-punitive grades: If you drop all of your classes and receive non-punitive grades (no credit or effect on GPA), you will need to repay benefits. This is because non-punitive grades don’t count as progress towards a degree.
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You stop attending classes: If you stop participating in a course but don’t officially withdraw, you’ll likely owe money back. The VA pays benefits based on attendance. If you stop attending, the VA will retroactively terminate benefits back to the start of term.
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You take a non-credit course: GI Bill can only be used for courses that count towards an approved degree or certificate program. If you fail or drop a non-credit course, you’ll have to repay benefits.
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You were overpaid: If you received a larger payment than you were supposed to get based on your enrollment, the VA will come after you to recoup that overpayment. Always double check your payment amounts.
The bottom line is that any “non-punitive” grade that doesn’t count towards graduation requirements will likely trigger repayment of some benefits.
Strategies To Avoid Repaying GI Bill Funds
Here are some tips to avoid failing courses and putting your GI Bill benefits at risk:
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Attend every class: Participation and attendance is key. The VA monitors attendance to ensure you complete the entire semester.
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Check in with your professor: If you’re struggling, talk to your professor early. They may be able to give you an incomplete instead of an F if you communicate in advance.
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Use free tutoring resources: Most schools offer free tutoring and extra help for struggling students. Take advantage of these resources before it’s too late.
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Consider dropping a course: Depending on your school’s policies, it may be better to drop a course during the add/drop period rather than fail. Just be sure to remain enrolled in other credits.
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Appeal a failing grade: If you think a grade was issued unfairly, go through the official process to appeal the grade and try to get it changed.
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Set up a payment plan: If you do end up owing money back, call the VA right away to set up a reasonable payment plan and avoid collections.
While repaying GI Bill funds can be stressful, being proactive goes a long way. Carefully consider dropping vs. failing a course, stay organized with paperwork, and keep the lines of communication open with your school’s certifying official. Planning ahead and utilizing all your resources can help minimize the chances of owing money back.
Common Questions About Failing Courses with GI Bill
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about how failing a class impacts GI Bill benefits:
What happens if I fail the same class multiple times?
The VA will continue paying you to retake a failed class until you pass. There is no limit on how many times you can retry a failed course using GI Bill benefits. Just be aware that repeatedly failing classes can put you at risk for academic probation or suspension at some schools.
Can I just stop going to class without officially withdrawing?
No, you should never just stop attending a course without formally withdrawing. The VA provides benefits based on the assumption you will attend the entire term. If you stop going, the VA will terminate benefits back to the start of term and you’ll end up owing substantial money.
What GPA do I need to maintain to keep my GI Bill benefits?
The VA does not require any minimum GPA to receive GI Bill payments. Academic probation policies vary by school, however. Repeatedly failing courses could lead to academic probation and eventual suspension at some institutions.
If I fail a class, does it negatively impact my GI Bill entitlement?
No, GI Bill entitlement is not reduced if you fail classes. The VA will keep paying you at the same benefit rate until you exhaust your total months of benefits eligibility.
What should I do if I get overpaid GI Bill benefits?
First, confirm the amount and reason for overpayment with your school’s certifying official. Then contact the VA right away to set up affordable repayment plan. Ignoring an overpayment will lead to collections activity, so take care of it promptly.
While failing a class can be discouraging, just remember that you can retake any course using your GI Bill benefits until you pass. Be proactive, use all resources available, and take advantage of the VA’s lenient failing grade policies. With persistence and preparation, you can get through the tough times and continue pursuing your education goals.
