Dear GI Bill® Student,
The practice of “rounding out” provides eligible GI Bill students in their last term with the option to take additional classes to bring their course load to full-time and receive a full-time monthly housing allowance. In accordance with law, VA is only authorized to pay GI Bill benefits for classes that are part of an approved program of education and count toward completion of that approved program of education.
Beginning on Aug. 1, 2021, students can “round out” in their last term only if they are taking classes that are approved for their program of education. Classes approved for a program of education means those that can be used to satisfy the graduation requirements of the program as specified in the curriculum. Classes that have been previously completed cannot be used to round out the student’s course load.
To obtain full-time enrollment in their last term, they will be allowed to select from the other courses in that category.
To give an example, a student pursuing a degree in political science may have the choice to take two of four courses in government as a graduation requirement. If the student does not need a third or fourth government class for graduation but wants to round out, VA will allow the student to take those additional government courses because they are included in the student’s program of education. Chosen classes must be specified by name in the curriculum.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has been fundamentally transformed into a lifetime learning benefit allowing for remaining entitlement to be used in the future to obtain a higher level degree, train for a career change, stay abreast of changes within a vocational field, or obtain a related vocational certification or license.
We encourage students to work with their School Certifying Official to answer any questions they may have regarding Rounding Out and how they may use it during their last term. If you are aware of any GI Bill students who require assistance with their GI Bill benefits, please have them contact the Education Call Center at 888-442-4551 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday to speak with a representative.
Respectfully,
Education Service
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