APPLYING FOR BENEFITS:

If utilizing Veterans Benefits, please contact Mrs. Kelchis Radziewicz the full-time Certifying Official at PIMS for the PIMS Vet Packet and Certification Form.

• All VA eligible students can start into their courses while waiting for benefits to process.
• Some initial fees can be covered by VA benefits, please contact Mrs. Kelchis Radziewicz for more information (contact information below).
• Veterans are encouraged to complete the FAFSA to see if they qualify for a Pell Grant or if needed federal loans. PIMS promotes smart borrowing through financial literacy education, compliance with the Entrance Counseling requirements plus the FA Office is available for one-on-one financial and loan counseling. Students can also set an appointment for assistance with budgeting and loan repayment. All students are highly encouraged to consult with the PIMS Financial Aid Office prior to arranging or signing-up for private student loans. Let PIMS help you make the best financial choice possible for your future.

Yellow Ribbon contribution

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that may provide additional assistance toward qualifying tuition and mandatory fees that exceed the amount covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

PIMS participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and may provide a Yellow Ribbon contribution to eligible students based on their VA eligibility and qualifying tuition and fee charges for the applicable enrollment period.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.va.gov/education/.

Yellow Ribbon Contribution

For students who qualify, the PIMS Yellow Ribbon contribution may be up to $1,000 per eligible student. The actual contribution may be less than $1,000 depending on the student’s qualifying tuition and fee charges and eligibility for the applicable enrollment period.

The Yellow Ribbon contribution is separate from the student’s standard Chapter 33 tuition and fee certification. When applicable, PIMS reports the Yellow Ribbon contribution separately through the VA’s designated system as part of the student’s eligibility processing.

PIMS determines the applicable contribution based on the student’s eligible tuition and fees, applicable VA tuition payment, remaining eligible balance, and the student’s Yellow Ribbon eligibility.

Yellow Ribbon Eligibility and Processing

Students must meet the eligibility requirements established by the VA and PIMS to receive a Yellow Ribbon contribution. The PIMS School Certifying Official reviews the student’s eligibility and applicable tuition and fee charges as part of the VA benefits processing.

If a student qualifies for a Yellow Ribbon contribution, PIMS determines the applicable amount and processes the contribution in accordance with VA requirements and PIMS institutional procedures.

Students should contact the PIMS School Certifying Official to determine whether they may qualify for Yellow Ribbon benefits.

Yellow Ribbon and Other PIMS Financial Assistance

Yellow Ribbon assistance is separate from other PIMS institutional grants, scholarships, and financial assistance programs. Eligibility for one form of assistance does not automatically establish eligibility for another.

Questions About Yellow Ribbon

Students with questions about their eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program or the amount of assistance available should contact the PIMS School Certifying Official.

For current federal Yellow Ribbon eligibility requirements and information regarding VA education benefits, students should consult the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

FINANCIAL AID AND TIMELINES:

Please allow for two weeks to process each FAFSA. FAFSA’s will be processed on a first come first serve basis. The student must be accepted to the program and an enrollment contract must be on file for an award to be sent. There are no PIMS’ deadlines for the FAFSA application except the FAFSA must be received and loans requested by the FA Office prior to the end of the term for which it would be utilized.  Students are not responsible for tuition and fees while the FAFSA is being processed with the exception of the tuition deposit, matriculation fee, equipment, and textbooks.

VA PAYMENT POLICY:

In compliance with 38 USC 3679€, it is the policy that any covered individual, who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, post 9/11, is permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website e-Benefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form of chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date of which payment from VA is made to the Institution
2. 90 days after the date the Institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility

There will be NO penalty, late fee, or denial of access to classes or the facility for any covered individual if his or her financial obligations to the Institute are delayed from the VA under chapter 31 or 33.

PIMS standard pace housing support grant 

PIMS recognizes that an unexpected change in enrollment can have a significant financial impact on a student. To provide temporary assistance to eligible students who experience a loss of housing-related financial support following a reduction in enrollment, PIMS offers the Standard Pace Housing Support Grant.

This is a PIMS Institutional Grant

The Standard Pace Housing Support Grant is funded directly by PIMS.

This grant is not part of the federal VA Yellow Ribbon Program, is not funded by VA, and does not represent a VA Yellow Ribbon contribution or VA matching payment.

The grant is a separate PIMS institutional assistance program.

Who May Request the Grant?

The Standard Pace Housing Support Grant may be available to a PIMS student who:

• Is enrolled in the Standard Pace schedule;
• Was enrolled at or above the applicable part-time enrollment level and subsequently dropped below part-time enrollment during the term due to the structure of the program;
• Experienced a loss of housing-related financial assistance or housing allowance as a result of the enrollment change; and
• Submits a request for consideration.

Eligibility is determined based on the student’s enrollment status and individual circumstances.

Grant Amount

An eligible student may request up to $1,000 in institutional assistance.

The amount awarded is determined by PIMS based on the student’s circumstances, eligibility, and available institutional funds. The grant is intended to provide temporary assistance following the loss of housing-related financial support caused by a qualifying enrollment change.