WSSI Programs
Are you interested in learning to dive, improving your diving skills, and becoming a dive professional? With Waterdogs SCUBA and Safety Institute (WSSI), you can use your G.I. Bill® to pay for a variety of our scuba certifications and licenses. Through our programs, designed by veterans, for veterans, you will learn the basics of diving and progress up a guided path to becoming a dive professional. Whether you are just getting started or you are a seasoned diver, we have a program for you!
Service members who qualify may be reimbursed for certifications and licensing exams. Restrictions follow same guidelines as the VA licensing and certification reimbursement program – please refer to this website for more information: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/test-fees/
Service members can use one month of G.I. Bill® benefits per certification or license exam. Service members can use up to six months of benefits to get certified or become dive professionals.
Professionals are defined as Divemasters, Diving Instructors, Instructor Trainers, and Course Directors - all of these professional licenses are considered true vocational programs and can provide full-time employment.
Getting Started
Step 1:
Learn about G.I. Bill® eligibility requirements and find out if you qualify for benefits. If you’re an active-duty service member or Veteran, a member of the National Guard or Reserves, or a qualified survivor or dependent, you may be eligible for VA education benefits through the G.I. Bill® and other educational assistance programs.
Step 2:
Apply for your G.I. Bill® benefits and print your VA statement of benefits. You will need to take your statement of benefits to your approved VA testing center.
For information regarding how to apply for the G.I. Bill® and related benefits, please visit the VA website at: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
If you have already applied for your benefits and need to determine how many months of benefits are remaining, please visit the VA website at: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill/post-9-11/ch-33-benefit/ and follow the steps for checking your benefits.
Step 3:
Call or visit Waterdogs SCUBA & Safety, your local VA Testing Center. Please bring your VA statement of benefits you printed in Step 2 to us and schedule the certification or license you would like to take.
Step 4:
Upon completion of all exams, the VA testing center will provide you with three documents and a presentation so you can submit them for your VA reimbursement. All reimbursements from the VA are on a first come, first serve basis. It takes about 30 to 60 days to receive your reimbursement from the VA.
More Information
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
For more information regarding the programs that we offer, please visit the Waterdogs SCUBA and Safety Institute website.
