1. There are a number of different chapters associated with the VA educational program.

Chapter 30–

based on active duty service time

Chapter 31–

based on vocational rehabilitation due to a service connected disability

Chapter 35–

as a spouse or child of a deceased or 100% service connected disabled veteran

Chapter1606–

based on enlistment in Army Reserve or National Guard for a six year obligation

Chapter 1607–

(REAP) certain individuals activated after 9/11/2001

Go to www.gibill.va.gov for specific eligibility requirements relative to these programs.

Additional Education Assistance Programs available through the college

• Financial Aid Office
• NYS Child of a Veteran Award
• NYS Persian Gulf Veterans Award
• NYS Vietnam Veterans Award

To apply for benefits, students will need the following documentation:

For Chapter 30 benefits:

A copy of their DD214 (member 4 copy)

For Chapter 31 benefits:

Authorization for training VA form 1905

For Chapter 35 benefits:

verification of veteran’s death or proof of 100 per cent service connected disability. Spouses will need a copy of the marriage license, children will need a copy of their birth certificate along with a copy of their Social Security card.

For Chapter 1606 benefits:

A copy of their Notice of Basic Eligibility and any Kicker documentation issued by their unit.

For Chapter 1607 benefits:

the same as 1606 recipients along with a copy of their DD214.

Students must be certified to the VA each semester to receive their educational benefits. To process this certification, students are required to present their course registration forms verifying the courses and number of hours enrolled in to insure the proper monthly payment from the VA.

The VA pays benefits for classroom attendance. Students taking the equivalent of 12 hours. or more during the normal 15 week semester are considered full time. Students taking courses of shorter length during the semester should contact the Veterans Office to discuss the impact on their monthly educational rates.

The VA monitors academic progress. To continue receiving educational benefits, a 2.00 grade point average (C) is required. The Veterans Office is required to notify the VA when students do not maintain this average. The VA has the option of suspending benefits at that point. Students experiencing academic problems are urged to contact the office for further assistance.

To continue receiving educational payments, students are required to verify their enrollment and attendance each month to both the Veterans Administration and the New York State Dept. of Education. For VA purposes, this can be done over the Internet or by telephone. For NYS, this can be done by monthly sign-ins or by e-mail.

Should your status change during the course of the semester, you MUST notify the Veterans Office immediately. Failure to report changes could result in overpayments. The VA will withhold future payments until the overpayment has been collected.

The VA administers a work study program for student-veterans. Under this program, students work in the college´s Veterans Office and receive an hourly wage while receiving MGIB benefits at the three-quarter or full-time rate. Payments are made at the Federal minimum wage. Students can work up to 250 hours per enrollment period. Students interested in applying for work-study, should contact the Veterans Office. These work study benefits do not affect the amount of student aid or VA educational benefits received.

The VA may take 2 to 3 months to process an application for assistance. Based on eligibility for educational benefits, MVCC can defer tuition and fee charges (books and supplies are not included) by offering students a monthly payment plan. The amount of money that can be deferred is equal to the sum of benefits for the semester. For example: If you are eligible for $1,075 per month then your deferral would be 4 times $1,075 for a maximum deferral of $4,300. Students are eligible to apply for a deferral each semester providing the charges from the previous semester have been satisfied.