Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions What educational benefits does VA offer? There are various VA education programs available, all of which have their own unique qualifying criteria and rates of payment: Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30): The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, called MGIB for short, provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for: College, Business, Technical or Vocational school Tuition assistance Top-up Apprenticeship/Job Training Correspondence Courses Remedial, Deficiency, and Refresher Training (in some cases) Flight Training (in some cases) The cost of tests for licenses or certifications needed to get, keep, or advance in a job Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31): The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The VetSuccess program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VetSuccess offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible. Active duty service members are eligible if they expect to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty, obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA, and apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess services. Veterans are eligible if they have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable, have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess services The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E VetSuccess services may be used is 12 years from the latter of the following: Date of separation from active military service, or date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating. Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

2 The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers a percentage of all tuition and fees at TCC, based on your length of active duty service. Tuition/fee payments are made directly to TCC. In addition, eligible veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA) equal to the basic allowance for housing (BAH) amount payable to an E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school, as well as a yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 paid proportionately based on enrollment. Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, entrepreneurship training, and tutorial assistance. Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance (Chapter 35): Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance is an education benefit for eligible spouses and children of: A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a serviceconnected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces. A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence. A service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force. A service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power. A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. Eligible persons can receive up to 45 months of full-time or equivalent benefits for: College, Business, Technical or Vocational Courses, High School Diploma or GED, Independent Study or Distance Learning courses Correspondence Courses (Spouses Only), Apprenticeship/Job Training Remedial, Deficiency, and Refresher Training (in some cases) The cost of tests for licenses or certifications needed to get, keep, or advance in a job Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606): The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve is an education program that provides up to 36 months of benefits to members of the Selected Reserve. This includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves, as well as the Army National Guard and the Air Guard. It is the first program that doesn t require a person to serve on active duty in the regular Armed Forces to qualify. Reserve Education Assistance Program (Chapter 1607): The Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) provides education assistance to Guard and Reservists who have served 90 days or more in a contingency operation after September 11, 2001.

3 Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Program (VMSDEP): The Military Survivors and Dependents Program (MSDEP) provides education benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict. To be eligible: The child must be between ages 16 and 29. There are no age restrictions for spouses. The military service member is and must have been a Virginia citizen at the time he or she entered active duty or must have been a Virginia citizen for at least five years immediately prior to the date of the application for admission. In the case of a deceased military service member the veteran s surviving spouse can meet the residency requirements if he or she lived in Virginia for at least five years prior to marrying the military service member or has been a citizen of Virginia for at least five years immediately prior to the date of application. This program may waive tuition and fees at any state-supported college or university in Virginia. Benefits are available for up to four years. Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP): The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to veterans who: Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old Are unemployed on the date of application Received an other than dishonorable discharge Are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance) Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program.

4 Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation. Work Study Program: This program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarter time or more. An individual working under this program may work at the school veterans office, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Facilities, or at approved State employment offices. Work-study students are paid at either the state or Federal minimum wage, whichever is greater. Applications for the Work Study Program are available online and at the campus VA offices. In addition to VA benefits, veterans may be eligible for federal and state financial aid. How do I apply for education benefits? To begin utilizing these benefits, you must first complete certain VA paperwork before enrolling in classes. Ch Active Duty & Ch Selected Reserves GI Bill 1. Complete VA paperwork Go to the VONAPP website and fill out the appropriate form (see below) Use if you are applying for VA benefits for the first time Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to TCC, as your primary institution. Members applying under Ch will need to receive a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from their command. The NOBE must be submitted with the initial application for benefits. 2. Print a copy of the completed VA paperwork. Once you fill out the online form and submit it to the VA, you will need to print a copy of the completed VA form. To verify you have successfully submitted your form to the VA, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form. Instructions to print a completed VA form on VONAPP (These step by step instructions are only for printing a completed form and are not intended to guide a student through the actual application process)

5 1. Go to the VONAPP website 2. Click "I Have Used VONAPP Before" 3. Click VONAPP Account 4. Enter Login information & click Continue 5. Under the "Completed Forms" section click the "Print" button next to the form you need to print. Chap. 31 -VA Vocational Rehabilitation Process 1. If you have at least a 20% VA disability rating, contact the VA to determine eligibility for program at (800) Assignment of VA Counselor o Once approved, you will be assigned a VA Education Counselor in your state. 3. Authorization issued to school o VA Education Counselor must issue VA Form to institution, authorizing student to register for courses Ch. 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill 1. Complete or Submit Paperwork If you have not applied for the Post 9/11 GI Bill before please start at step A. If you have applied and received a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Award Letter please start at step B. A. Complete VA Paperwork Go to the VONAPP website and fill out the appropriate form (see below). Once you fill out the online form and submit it, you will need to print a copy. To verify you have successfully submitted your form to the VA, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out Use if you are applying for the Post 9/11 GI Bill for the first time E Use if you are a dependent applying, for the first time, for benefits which have been transferred to you by your veteran/active duty sponsor Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to TCC, as your primary institution. Instructions to print a completed VA form on VONAPP

6 (These step by step instructions are only for printing a completed form and are not intended to guide a student through the actual application process.) 1. Go to the VONAPP website 2. Click "I Have Used VONAPP Before" 3. Click VONAPP Account 4. Enter Login information & click Continue 5. Under the "Completed Forms" section click the "Print" button next to the form you need to print. B. Submit copy of COE or Award Letter If you have already applied for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Department of Veterans Affairs has sent you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or an Award Letter, you must submit a copy to the Veterans Affairs Office. Be sure you include the pages that show your percentage and months of eligibility. Ch Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA) 1. Complete VA paperwork Go to the VONAPP website and fill out the appropriate form (see below) Use if you are applying for VA benefits for the first time Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to TCC, as your primary institution. 2. Print a copy of the completed VA paperwork. Once you fill out the online form and submit it to the VA, you will need to print a copy of the completed VA form. To verify you have successfully submitted your form to the VA, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out. Instructions to print a completed VA form on VONAPP (These step by step instructions are only for printing a completed form and are not intended to guide a student through the actual application process) 1. Go the VONAPP website 2. Click "I Have Used VONAPP Before" 3. Click VONAPP Account 4. Enter Login information & click Continue

7 5. Under the "Completed Forms" section click the "Print" button next to the form you need to print. Ch Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) 1. Complete VA paperwork Go to the VONAPP website and fill out the appropriate form (see below) Use if you are applying for VA benefits for the first time Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to TCC, as your primary institution. 2. Print a copy of the completed VA paperwork. Once you fill out the online form and submit it to the VA, you will need to print a copy of the completed VA form and send it to us so we will have it on file. To verify you have successfully submitted your form to the VA, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out. Instructions to print a completed VA form on VONAPP (These step by step instructions are only for printing a completed form and are not intended to guide a student through the actual application process) 1. Go the VONAPP website 2. Click "I Have Used VONAPP Before" 3. Click VONAPP Account 4. Enter Login information & click Continue 5. Under the "Completed Forms" section click the "Print" button next to the form you need to print. Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) 1. Complete VA paperwork Go to the VONAPP website and fill out the appropriate form (see below) R - Use if you are applying for VA benefits for the first time. 2. Print a copy of the completed VA paperwork. Once you fill out the online form and submit it to the VA, you will need to print a copy of the completed VA form and send it to us so we will have it on file. To verify you have successfully submitted your form to the VA, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out.

8 Instructions to print a completed VA form on VONAPP (These step by step instructions are only for printing a completed form and are not intended to guide a student through the actual application process) 6. Go the VONAPP website 7. Click "I Have Used VONAPP Before" 8. Click VONAPP Account 9. Enter Login information & click Continue Under the "Completed Forms" section click the "Print" button next to the form you need NOTE: Chapters 30, 35, 1606, 1607, and VRAP require proof of payment for your classes BEFORE your enrollment can be certified. You will need to apply for financial aid, TCC s payment plan (Nelnet), or make arrangements to pay your tuition out of pocket PRIOR TO the tuition due date! What paperwork does TCC need for me to use my education benefits? Once you have applied for your benefits, please bring the following to one of our campus VA offices: Copies of your application for benefits ( / OR / ) o If using Post 9/11 (chapter 33) benefits as a dependent, you will also need to bring a copy of the service member s APPROVED application to transfer benefits Copies of ALL correspondence from the VA (i.e. certificates of eligibility) DD-214 (if a veteran/reservist) Class schedule (if registered for classes) Proof of payment The campus VA office will create a file with this paperwork, and certify your enrollment to the VA.

9 As a veteran, how do I receive in-state tuition? Virginia law provides in-state tuition to veterans. The VA will only cover your tuition and fees at in-state tuition rate for TCC. To receive the in-state tuition rate for your classes, you will need to submit the following to your campus Enrollment Services office: Virginia driver s license, ID card, or voter registration card Virginia vehicle registration A copy of a bill or lease showing a Virginia address If employed, a copy of their last paycheck stub If unemployed, a notarized letter stating that the veteran s sole source of income is their GI Bill benefits. How long does it take for TCC to submit my enrollment certification to the VA? Depending on your campus VA office workload, it can take a week or more from the day the student provides all documentation needed for your enrollment to be certified to the VA. The VA education benefits certification process is based on a first in - first out premise. To aid in our processing: Ensure that your VA file is up to date Ensure that the classes you are registering for fit your degree plan o o Veterans/reservists receive their HLT/PED credits after their DD-214 has been evaluated by TCC, eliminating the need to take additional HLT/PED classes unless required for your degree The VA will not pay for a student to repeat a class with a grade of D or better, until their final semester before graduation at TCC o The VA will not pay for any online developmental courses (MTE or ENG 1-8). These courses must be taken on campus.

10 Ensure that your domicile is classified as in-state Ensure that you submit your class schedule as early in the registration period as possible. If you are using benefits under chapter 30, 35, 1606 and 1607, ensure that you have paid for your classes (through financial aid, a payment plan, or out of pocket) PRIOR TO submitting your schedule to the campus VA office.