Natchitoches Central, Lakeview approved for VA Chapter 35 benefits for eligible dependents

NATCHITOCHES, La. — The Natchitoches Parish School Board heard that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has approved Natchitoches Central High School and Lakeview High School as VA‑approved instructional facilities, allowing certain dependents of veterans to receive Chapter 35 dependents' educational assistance while still in high school.

Superintendent Dr. Eloy said the district submitted curriculum documents, handbooks and other required materials and received approval for both high schools, effective Aug. 1, 2024. "We got all the paperwork together and all the curriculum documents and, you know, handbooks and everything else needed. We submitted that to the Veterans Affairs office and, we got approved at Natchitoches Central and Lakeview," Mike Kozad told the board during the superintendent's report.

The change expands eligibility for Chapter 35, traditionally a college tuition benefit for dependents of veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled or for Gold Star dependents. Kozad told the board the VA now allows eligible high school students to receive tax‑free monthly payments during high school; he said the VA has also authorized an additional five months of benefits that do not reduce a student’s college entitlement. "Amounts out to $7,680 that a high school senior, their last 5 months... can pocket and put in their pocket to... take to college with them," Kozad said; district staff clarified that the figure Kozad cited corresponds to $1,536 per month for five months ($1,536 × 5 = $7,680).

Eligibility details discussed at the meeting: a student must be a VA dependent (a child of a qualifying veteran) and be enrolled full time and making satisfactory academic progress. Kozad told the board that the certificate-of‑eligibility process remains the same: families apply through the Department of Veterans Affairs and, once approved, the VA issues a certificate of eligibility that the student brings to the district. "Once you are approved with the VA and the student will be awarded what's called a certificate of eligibility, they bring that back to our excellent director of student services, Miss Felicia Pinkney, who is gonna be our district certifying official," Kozad said.

The board heard additional eligibility nuances: if a veteran received a 100% permanent and total (P&T) rating before Aug. 1, 2023, the student must be 18 to begin receiving benefits; if the veteran received that rating after Aug. 1, 2023, there is no age requirement — a freshman could begin receiving benefits if otherwise eligible. Kozad cautioned that families should check timing and personal circumstances with the VA because claiming benefits during high school can reduce a student's remaining college entitlement except for the five months the VA currently allows without reduction.

District staff said the certifying official will be Director of Student Services Felicia Pinkney; Kozad noted the application process can be time consuming and families should plan accordingly. Board members were told the VA’s five‑month protection is currently scheduled to expire Aug. 1, 2026, unless renewed by federal action, and that retroactive payments for the five months may be possible for last year’s graduates but are subject to VA rules.

The board did not vote on the matter; the announcement was staff reporting that the VA had approved the two high schools as instructional facilities.

Families who believe they may be eligible were advised to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs for application instructions and to work with the district’s student services office once they receive a certificate of eligibility.