Montgomery GI Bill This chapter of benefits is for active duty service members who served a minimum of two years on active duty and contributed $1200.00 for the bill. Chapter 30 can provide up to 36 months of education assistance. You may use this benefit while on active duty or once you have ended your contract with your branch of service. If you are a veteran you must also make sure you have an honorable discharge or you may lose your chapter 30 benefits. If for any particular reason your contract ended early you need to make sure that your early discharge does not conflict with you trying to use your benefits. If you have any questions regarding these matters you may contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551.
Applying for Benefits Now that you are ready to attend Valencia Community College there are a few steps that need to get accomplish to make your transition here as smooth as possible. The first thing that needs to happen is that you apply for benefits. You can do this by going on line to http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp. Here you will need to create a user name and password if you have never used this site before. The key is to be able to put your electronic signature on the bottom of the application so that you can send it electronically to the VA. The reason this is so important is because it can speed up the process of getting your Letter of Eligibility sent to your address and you being able to use benefits. We do have the applications available here at VCC; if you fill them out here just know that we send them via US Postal service and this can delay your approval. If by the time you have registered for classes you have not received your letter of eligibility you are highly encouraged to stop in with your 22-1990 application and your DD-214 member 4 so that we can start the process of certification for you. Just know that even though we can certify your enrollment that does not mean the VA can process it. They still have to process your application before your certification. Please DO NOT wait until your letter of eligibility has come in if you already registered for classes this will only hold up your VA process. Our goal here is to set up your benefits as soon as possible so that you can be compensated for your hard work and dedication to our country.
2011/2012 Rates 3 or more years service Less than 1/2
1/2 Time
3 /4 Time
Full Time
Tuition fees only
$763.50
$1104.75
$1473.00
Less than three years service Tuition fees only
$598.00
$897.00
$1196.00
Credits for Full Semester Less than 1 / 2
1/2
3/4
Full Time
1 thru 5
6 thru 8
9 thru 11
12 +
Credits for Half Semesters Less than 1 / 2
1/2
3/4
Full Time
1&2
3
4&5
6+
Requirements to be certified at Valencia College
Certificate of Eligibility DD‐214
NEW STUDENTS 22‐1990 Application OR (VONAPP) DD‐214
TRANSFER STUDENTS 22‐1995 DD‐214 Certificate of Eligibility (if you still have a copy)
TRANSIENT STUDENT Facts.org paperwork DD‐214 Certificate of Eligibility (if you still have a copy)
The above items should be brought to the VA Representative at VCC and turned in once you have registered for classes.
The rest of your requirements will be provided to you by the Representative once we have received the above documents. As a new student you are entitled to get a VA deferment for the first semester of attendance so if you need the 60 day extension please ask for one.
Note that while using this benefit your tuition is due by the schools scheduled due date unless you have the deferment. If tuition is not paid by that scheduled day your classes will be dropped. You may also apply for Financial Aid to assist in this matter even though you are using Chapter 30 benefits. If approved for Financial Aid it could make the transition from semester to semester an easier one. It can also help if your benefits are held up for any reason.
WAVE WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) is a system that will need to be used to verify your enrollment here at VCC each and every month. If this process does not happen the monthly entitlement will not be sent out, even if the VA Representative certified you at the beginning of the semester. This process can be completed by either going on line at www.gibill.va.gov or you can call the voice response system at 1-877-823-2378 if you don’t have access to the internet.