Benefits Checklist
Becoming a Veteran Student at Polk State College
This checklist offers a detailed, step-by-step guide for veterans beginning to use their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits as students at Polk State College. Please choose the benefit that aligns with your eligibility.
+ Active Duty
Apply for Tuition Assistance by following the information found on your branch’s website.
+ Florida National Guard and Air National Guard
Apply for Education Dollars for Duty by following the information found on the EDD website.
Veteran and Dependent VA Educational Benefits
Apply for or update the school information on the VA website to use your educational benefits at Polk State College.
- Create a VA account or log in to va.gov to monitor and manage your benefits.
- Provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the Veteran Student Services Office.
Scan and email it to veterans@polk.edu.
+ Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)
- Apply for Admission to Polk State College.
- Choose a Program of Study.
- Schedule a meeting with an Advisor to help select an approved program of study.
- Apply for Financial Aid.
- Visit fafsa.gov to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application provides access to additional financial aid resources beyond VA educational benefits or Tuition Assistance.
- Fill out FAFSA with Polk State College as your school.
- Use the school code 00151400 or 001514 when completing the FAFSA for Polk State College.
Note: Scholarships and grants are considered “free money,” while loans must be repaid.
- Order your military training transcript.
Note: Polk State College awards maximum credit for basic training and military experience in accordance with the credit-granting guidelines established by the American Council on Education. For detailed information, please visit acenet.edu.
- Order all college transcripts from the college’s website where you attended.
- All veterans are required to submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities and must have an education plan prepared in consultation with an advisor.
- Send all college/military transcripts to:
Polk State College
Registrar’s Office
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
- Send all college/military transcripts to:
- All veterans are required to submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities and must have an education plan prepared in consultation with an advisor.
- Register for classes, ensuring that each course counts towards your program of study.
- Order all college transcripts from the college’s website where you attended.
Note: Veterans who indicate their military service on their Polk State College application receive priority registration. This allows them an additional week (week earlier) to select classes and create schedules that best suit their needs.
- Send all required forms (i.e., VA Certificate of Eligibility, TA funding form, DD for 214, EDD form, etc.) to veterans@polk.edu.
- Complete a Veteran Certification Request Form.
- Obtain your student ID.
- Acquire a parking pass.
- Purchase your textbooks.
- Attend your classes.
- Read Keys to Success.
+ Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment
- Apply for Admission to Polk State College.
- Choose a Program of Study.
- Schedule a meeting with an Advisor to help select an approved program of study.
- Apply for Financial Aid.
- Visit fafsa.gov to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application provides access to additional financial aid resources beyond VA educational benefits or Tuition Assistance.
- Fill out FAFSA with Polk State College as your school.
- Use the school code 00151400 or 001514 when completing the FAFSA for Polk State College.
Note: Scholarships and grants are considered “free money,” while loans must be repaid.
- Order your military training transcript.
Note: Polk State College awards maximum credit for basic training and military experience in accordance with the credit-granting guidelines established by the American Council on Education. For detailed information, please visit acenet.edu.
- Order all college transcripts from the college’s website where you attended.
- All veterans are required to submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities and must have an education plan prepared in consultation with an advisor.
- Send all college/military transcripts to:
Polk State College
Registrar’s Office
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
- Send all college/military transcripts to:
- All veterans are required to submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities and must have an education plan prepared in consultation with an advisor.
- Register for classes, ensuring that each course counts towards your program of study.
- Order all college transcripts from the college’s website where you attended.
Note: Veterans who indicate their military service on their Polk State College application receive priority registration. This allows them an additional week (week earlier) to select classes and create schedules that best suit their needs.
- Send all required forms (i.e., VA Certificate of Eligibility, TA funding form, DD for 214, EDD form, etc.) to veterans@polk.edu.
- Complete a Veteran Certification Request Form.
- Obtain your student ID.
- Acquire a parking pass.
- Purchase your textbooks.
- Attend your classes.
- Read Keys to Success.
+ Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Expands)
- Apply for Admission to Polk State College.
- Choose a Program of Study.
- Schedule a meeting with an Advisor to help select an approved program of study.
- Apply for Financial Aid.
- Visit fafsa.gov to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application provides access to additional financial aid resources beyond VA educational benefits or Tuition Assistance.
- Fill out FAFSA with Polk State College as your school.
- Use the school code 00151400 or 001514 when completing the FAFSA for Polk State College.
Note: Scholarships and grants are considered “free money,” while loans must be repaid.
- Order your military training transcript.
Note: Polk State College awards maximum credit for basic training and military experience in accordance with the credit-granting guidelines established by the American Council on Education. For detailed information, please visit acenet.edu.
- Order all college transcripts from the college’s website where you attended.
- All veterans are required to submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities and must have an education plan prepared in consultation with an advisor.
- Send all college/military transcripts to:
Polk State College
Registrar’s Office
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
- Send all college/military transcripts to:
- All veterans are required to submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities and must have an education plan prepared in consultation with an advisor.
- Register for classes, ensuring that each course counts towards your program of study.
- Order all college transcripts from the college’s website where you attended.
Note: Veterans who indicate their military service on their Polk State College application receive priority registration. This allows them an additional week (week earlier) to select classes and create schedules that best suit their needs.
- Send all required forms (i.e., VA Certificate of Eligibility, TA funding form, DD for 214, EDD form, etc.) to veterans@polk.edu.
- Complete a Veteran Certification Request Form.
- Obtain your student ID.
- Acquire a parking pass.
- Purchase your textbooks.
- Attend your classes.
- Read Keys to Success.
+ Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve)
- Apply for Admission to Polk State College.
- Choose a Program of Study.
- Schedule a meeting with an Advisor to help select an approved program of study.
- Apply for Financial Aid.
- Visit fafsa.gov to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application provides access to additional financial aid resources beyond VA educational benefits or Tuition Assistance.
- Fill out FAFSA with Polk State College as your school.
- Use the school code 00151400 or 001514 when completing the FAFSA for Polk State College.
Note: Scholarships and grants are considered “free money,” while loans must be repaid.
- Order your military training transcript.
Note: Polk State College awards maximum credit for basic training and military experience in accordance with the credit-granting guidelines established by the American Council on Education. For detailed information, please visit acenet.edu.
- Order all college transcripts from the college’s website where you attended.
- All veterans are required to submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities and must have an education plan prepared in consultation with an advisor.
- Send all college/military transcripts to:
Polk State College
Registrar’s Office
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
- Send all college/military transcripts to:
- All veterans are required to submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities and must have an education plan prepared in consultation with an advisor.
- Register for classes, ensuring that each course counts towards your program of study.
- Order all college transcripts from the college’s website where you attended.
Note: Veterans who indicate their military service on their Polk State College application receive priority registration. This allows them an additional week (week earlier) to select classes and create schedules that best suit their needs.
- Send all required forms (i.e., VA Certificate of Eligibility, TA funding form, DD for 214, EDD form, etc.) to veterans@polk.edu.
- Complete a Veteran Certification Request Form.
- Obtain your student ID.
- Acquire a parking pass.
- Purchase your textbooks.
- Attend your classes.
- Read Keys to Success.
