What is the VA's "Round-Out" Rule?
Rounding out is available for students in their final term prior to graduation, and only for students who meet the requirements for graduation without reaching full-time status. If a student is taking all remaining classes required for graduation but those required classes are not enough to get the student to at least half-time status, the student is allowed to “round out.” The student is allowed to enroll in additional classes to be more than half-time and VA is authorized to pay benefits for the additional classes. This is only allowable during the student’s final semester, term or academic period.
Is rounding out required?
No; rather, rounding out is an option for GI Bill students during their last term that allows them to increase their rate of pursuit in order to receive a higher housing allowance.
If I'm a graduate student, can I take an undergraduate course to round out?
VA does not direct whether a graduate student may take an undergraduate course. This would be decided by individual institutional policy.
Can I round out if I haven't taken all of the courses in the program but the untaken courses are not offered in my final term?
Yes. If none of the courses in the degree plan that the student has not already taken are offered in the last term prior to graduation, then the student is allowed to round out with non-degree plan courses.