Veterans Educational Benefits are available to qualified Veterans, Dependents of Veterans, National Guard members, and Reserve members. To receive VA educational benefits, all recipients must be enrolled in an approved course of study. Benefits differ according to the Chapter of VA educational benefits for which the student qualifies. Students receiving VA educational benefits are responsible for registering only for courses that are included in their respective degree plans. Students receiving VA educational benefits must promptly notify the VA Certifying Official, located in the Office of Student Success when withdrawing from a class or all classes. Failure to do so may result in an overpayment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The student is liable for the overpayment. To continue receiving VA educational benefits, Veterans must attend their scheduled classes. Instructors will report students who are excessively absent to the Office of Admissions and Records and VA benefits may be reduced accordingly. The Department of Veterans Affairs may require approximately 60 to 90 days to process educational benefits. As a result, Veterans should be prepared to pay tuition and fees at registration. Benefits differ according to the Chapter of VA educational benefits for which the student qualifies. For more information about benefits or to apply, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or call at 1-888-442-4551. For issues regarding your benefits, submit a complaint to the VA GI Bill® Feedback System. https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp
Before making an application for educational benefits, the Veteran must complete the following:
- Step 1: An Application for Admissions to the College, Transcript Request Form(s) and send to high school and colleges attended, Transcript Request Form to request a GED transcript. Sit for the Compass Placement Assessment, if applicable
Step 2: Report to the VA Certifying Official located in the Office of Financial Aid and submit the following documents:
Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill®) submit certified copy of DD214 form
Chapter 35 (Veteran Dependents) submit Certificate of Eligibility form
Chapter 1606/1607 (Reserve or Guard) submit Notice of Basic Eligibility Form (NOBE)
Chapter 33–Post 9/11 Veterans submit Certificate of Eligibility
Chapter 31- Disabled Veterans submit Authorization and Certification Certificate
NOTE: Veterans benefits cannot be certified until meeting with the VA Certifying Official, at the College.
Veteran benefits cannot be received for courses previously passed unless an improved grade is required or for auditing courses. The Veteran will not be paid for courses in which an “I” (Incomplete) was previously received or for courses that are not a part of the declared major unless approved as a substitute for a required course by the appropriate Dean. All Veterans should contact the VA Certifying Official during registration in order to complete the proper forms for certification. If the enrollment period is temporarily interrupted, the VA Certifying Official will recertify when notification of re-enrollment is received from the Veteran.
Alabama G. I. Dependents Scholarship Program
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs offers financial assistance to eligible dependents of disabled Veterans (child, stepchild, spouse or un-remarried widow or widower) who are living or deceased. Qualifying Veterans must have been permanent civilian residents of Alabama prior to entry into military service. Other qualifying veterans’ categories are former Prisoners of War (POW), declared Missing in Action (MIA), and those who died in service. The Alabama G. I. Dependents Scholarship Program does not pay for non-credit courses, transitional (remedial) courses, and facility and special building fees. In addition, the G. I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program does not cover supplies or textbooks for non-credit and/or transitional (remedial) courses. The student is responsible for paying these charges. Veterans Service Officers of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs maintain an office in each county of the State. They can provide information and assist in filing the required forms. Their offices are located usually in the county courthouse. The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs may be contacted directly at the following address: Alabama G. I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, Post Office Box 1509, Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1509. The telephone number is (334) 242-5077.
The following individuals shall be charged the in-state/in-district rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition purposes:
- A Veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill®-Active Duty Program) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®), of Title 38, United States Code, who lives in the State of Alabama while attending a school located in the State of Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
- Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® benefits (38 U. S. C. § 3319) who lives in the State of Alabama while attending a school located in the State of Alabama (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
- A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U. S. C. § 3311 (b)(9) who lives in the State of Alabama while attending a school located in the State of Alabama (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the Service member’s death in the line of duty following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
- Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three-year period following discharge or death described above and must be using educational benefits under either Chapter 30 or Chapter 33, of Title 38, United States Code.
- Anyone using educational assistance under Chapter 35, Dependent Education Assistance (DEA) will be charged the in-state resident rate. Effective for courses and terms beginning after November 30, 2021, a public institution of higher learning must charge the resident rate to CH35 Dependent Education Assistance (DEA) participants. When an institution charges these individuals more than the rate for resident students, VA is required to disapprove programs of education sponsored by the VA.
Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP)
The Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP) is designed to provide financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members. For additional information and applications, the National Guard member should contact his/her National Guard Unit.
Veterans Educational benefits include Chapters 30, 1606, 1607, 32, and 35. Chapters 1606 and 1607 are reserved for National Guard and Reserve members. Under these programs, the student receives an allowance directly from the government; the student is responsible for paying tuition and fees to the College.
Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) covers tuition and fees which are paid directly to the College (according to the percentage of eligibility of the veterans). The student will also receive a housing allowance and books stipend. The student is still responsible for paying any remaining balance. For more information, please visit the Veteran Education Benefits website.
Chapter 35 covers Dependent Survivor benefits. Students receive payment based on enrollment. Funds are paid directly to the student.
Full-time VA Educational benefits will be awarded to a student who enrolls for a minimum of 12 semester hours in his/her VA-approved program of study. Awards for students enrolled less than full-time will be decreased proportionately. Students wishing to receive veteran benefits must have their schedules approved by the VA Counselor to assure that their courses are in the approved program of study.