Title 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e) Compliance

The Kia Veterans Technician Apprenticeship Program (“Kia VTAP”) is committed to supporting eligible Veterans and other covered individuals utilizing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) education benefits and to complying with applicable requirements of Title 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e) and 38 C.F.R. § 21.4269.

Protection for Covered Individuals Using VA Education Benefits

In accordance with Title 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e), a covered individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), or Chapter 35 (Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance) will be permitted to attend or participate in the applicable VA-approved program of education during the protected period established by federal law while an applicable VA payment to the educational institution is pending.

During this protected period, the applicable educational institution or training provider will not, solely because of a delay in an applicable VA education benefit payment:

  • Assess a late fee or other financial penalty against the covered individual;
  • Deny the covered individual access to training, classes, facilities, or other applicable program resources; or
  • Require the covered individual to borrow additional funds to satisfy a financial obligation that is expected to be paid by VA.

Participant Responsibilities

To receive the protections provided under Title 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e), a covered individual may be required to:

  1. Provide verifiable and authoritative VA documentation of eligibility for the applicable VA education benefit no later than the first day of the program for which the individual intends to use the benefit;
  2. Submit a written request to use VA education benefits for the applicable period of training; and
  3. Provide any additional information reasonably necessary to properly certify enrollment or participation to VA, as permitted by applicable VA requirements.

Acceptable documentation may include a VA Certificate of Eligibility, Statement of Benefits, VA award or eligibility letter, or other verifiable and authoritative documentation accepted by VA.

Protected Period

Where applicable, the protections under Title 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e) begin when the covered individual provides the required documentation establishing entitlement to qualifying VA education benefits and continue until the earlier of:

  • The date VA makes the applicable payment to the educational institution; or
  • Ninety (90) days after the educational institution certifies applicable tuition and fees to VA following receipt of the required eligibility documentation.

Amounts Not Covered by VA

Nothing in this policy prevents the collection of amounts that VA is not expected to pay or does not ultimately pay on behalf of the participant. The participant remains responsible for financial obligations, if any, that are outside the scope of the participant's VA education benefit entitlement.

VA Benefit Eligibility

Eligibility for VA education benefits, including the amount and duration of any benefit, is determined solely by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Participation in Kia VTAP does not guarantee eligibility for, approval of, or payment of VA education benefits.

Participants with questions regarding their VA education benefits or Kia VTAP benefit-processing requirements should contact the Kia VTAP team for assistance.

Federal References:
Title 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e)
38 C.F.R. § 21.4269