Friday, November 20th, 2009
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On this page: · Where do I start? · Additional questions? · Outside links
Texas A&M University-Texarkana is approved for the training of VA students and certifies the student’s enrollment to the appropriate VA Regional Office, upon request. The TAMU-T Veteran Services Office, located in the Student Services Department, coordinates services to all veterans, dependents, guardsmen and reservists attending classes who are eligible for veterans benefits. Any veteran who is enrolled at TAMU-T who is eligible for VA educational benefits should notify the TAMU-T Veteran Services Office when he/she wishes to be certified. The TAMU-T Veteran Services Office is currently staffed by the Veteran’s Certifying Official and one Veteran Assistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
· Am I eligible for military tuition assistance? Contact the VA @ 1-888-GIBILL1 or visit the Education Service website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ To receive veterans education benefits, you must be admitted as a degree seeking undergraduate or graduate student and adhere to the same tuition policies as other students. Benefit payments are sent directly to the veteran on a monthly basis and no advance payments are available.
· What benefits are available? Ø The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30): Active Duty Educational Assistance Program, generally for individuals who entered active duty after June 30, 1985 and served continuously for three years or by serving two years on active duty followed by four years of Selected Reserve. To be eligible, veterans must have contributed $1200 during their first year of military service. Veterans or service personnel cannot withdraw money paid into the fund. Ø The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 1606): Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program, for members of the Reserve elements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and the Air National Guard. To be eligible, reservist must have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30,1985. No contribution is required. Ø Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35): Educational assistance available to spouses and children of veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-related disability. Ø Disabled Veterans Assistance (Chapter 31): Vocational Rehabilitation for service-connected disability of 10% or greater. Benefit provides a monthly stipend and covers the cost of tuition, books and supplies. Eligibility is determined on an individual case basis. Ø Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP Chapter 32): For individuals who entered active duty service between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and served a continuous period of 181 days or more plus contributed toward the education program. Ø Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33):The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a new program developed by VA that goes into effect August 1, 2009. This program is for individuals who served at least 90 aggregate days (or at least 30 continuous days with a discharge due to a service-connected disability) of active duty from 9/11/2001 to the present. Veterans qualifying for this program may be eligible for a housing allowance and books/supplies stipend in addition to payments covering tuition and fees up to the highest Undergraduate rate for a public institution of higher learning in the state. To check your eligibility and get further information on this program please visit http://www.gibill.va.gov and contact VA at 1-888-442-4551 (1-888-GI BILL 1).
· Where do I start? If you are eligible for VA benefits, contact the TAMU-T Veteran Services Office for the appropriate VA application and Enrollment form necessary to activate your benefits:
Veteran Services Office 2600 North Robison Road Texarkana, TX 75501 Telephone: (903) 223-3066 Fax: (903) 223-3118
· What documentation must accompany my application? For veterans: Certified copy of DD214 (discharge papers) For dependents: Certificate of Eligibility For reservists: Copy of NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility)
· What happens next? The Veteran
Certifying Official submits the original application and accompanying
documentation to the appropriate VA Regional Processing Center. Due to
the large volume of claims the center processes, it takes approximately
6 weeks to receive correspondence or a payment from the VA. Please be patient
and do not inquire about your initial claim until at least
45 working days have passed from the date we certify you. You may access the
education inquiry website at:
· How do I keep receiving these payments? Renewal is not automatic. You must contact the TAMU-T Veterans Services Office as soon as you register for the following term to re-activate your benefits. The Veteran Certifying Official uses electronic certification for continuing students (excluding students concurrently enrolled at another college). You must notify this office if you change your major, withdraw or drop hours below the amount certified to the VA.
Chapter 30 veterans must verify their own monthly attendance to receive each check. Please choose one of these three ways to accomplish this: 1. Sign and return the Student Verification Form (22-8979) mailed to you, or 2. Dial the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system @ 1-877-823-2378, or 3. Visit the WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) website at: https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do
· What if I used some of my benefits at another institution? If you have remaining entitlement, contact the TAMU-T Veteran Services Office for the appropriate VA application and Enrollment Data form necessary to re-activate your benefits.
· Can I get a tutor? Eligible veterans who have a course deficiency may be eligible to receive reimbursement for payment to a tutor for individual tutoring. Contact the TAMU-T Veterans Services Office for the appropriate VA application. You must obtain a written memorandum from the instructor stating a need for tutorial assistance. The current tutorial amount is $10 per hour with a maximum of $100 per month.
· Do VA benefits affect Financial Aid? Yes, VA benefits must be reported and may be calculated in award packages. Please contact the TAMU-T Financial Aid Office at: (903) 223-3066 or e-mail them at: fin.aid@tamut.edu
· Are there VA Work-Study Jobs? Although the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a VA Work-Study program, TAMU-T does not currently participate in this program.
· Additional questions? E-mail: fin.aid@tamut.edu
· Links: Listed below are other World Wide Web resources for those wanting information about their VA benefits.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Education Service-- the source of information concerning your educational benefits: http://www.gibill.va.gov
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs -- news and legislation concerning veteran’s benefits: http://veterans.house.gov/
The Thomas Pages -- Congressional information, including a search engine for the text of bills:
GI Bill Express.com -- a comprehensive educational website designed to provide information about scholarships, Federal and State benefits, and participating schools:
VA Forms—the following link provides VA forms that may be required by the school in order for the veteran to be certified for educational benefits. The veteran should contact the school to determine which forms are required. Form 22-1990---Application for Education Benefits Form 22-1995---Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Form 22-5490---Application for Survivors’ and dependents’ Educational Assistance Form 22-5495---Request for Change of Program or Place of Training for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance. http://www.va.gov/forms/benefits.htm#EDUCATION
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