GI Bill Information

The Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® is an education benefit for any member or former member of the Armed Forces who served on active duty after September 10th, 2001.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® if you meet any of the following criteria:

1. You served at least 90 days on active duty (including Title32 AGR) after September 10, 2001.
2. You were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability after serving 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.
3. You are the child of a member of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001 (Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship Program).
4. You are the spouse or dependent of a military member who is eligible to transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits.

Transferability

The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® allows Servicemembers to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family. Once the DoD approves benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries apply for them at VA. To find out more, visit www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits.

Applying for Benefits

If you have never used Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits before you will need to apply for the benefits.

• If your service ended before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. You must use all of your benefits by that time or you'll lose whatever's left.
• If your service ended on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits won't expire thanks to a new law called the Forever GI Bill® - Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

1. Visit the VA's website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
2. Select the tab Apply for Benefits
3. Launch the Veterans Online Application
4. Complete and submit the application (VA Form 22-1990)
5. In order to receive Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® you must relinquish another GI Bill®
6. Spouses for Dependents applying for transferred Post 9-11 benefits will complete and submit VA Form 22-1990e.

The VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (VA Form 22-0557) in 4-6 weeks. When you receive the COE please provide a copy to the Veterans Services Office.

Receiving Payments

When you notify the Veterans Services Office that you are registered for classes, the Veterans Services Coordinator will submit a certification to the VA. The VA can take up to 4-6 weeks to process certifications and send out payments.

The percentage of benefit you are eligible for depends on time spent on active duty. Note: Multiple deployments may increase your eligibility.
There are three types of payments under Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®.

1. Tuition payment - paid to school
2. Housing Allowance - paid to recipient (allowance will be based on the location where the student takes the majority of their classes, Sioux City, Cherokee or Denison). To see the current rate visit www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool, and provide the requested information.
3. Book stipend - paid to recipient

Each payment is paid depending on the percentage of eligibility.
Example 1: Former active duty member who served over three years on active duty with an honorable discharge - Eligible at 100%.

1. Tuition - The VA will pay 100% of veteran's tuition cost (including fees).
2. Housing Allowance - The VA will pay the recipient 100% of the Basic Allowance for Housing of an E-5, with dependents, in the zip code of the location where the student takes the majority of their classes. (Sioux City, Cherokee or Denison).
3. Book Stipend - The VA will pay up to $1,000 per school year. Typically this is paid in two equal installments of $500 ($41.66 per credit) but could be more or less depending on the number of credit hours for which you are registered.

Example 2: Actively drilling or former member of the National Guard or Reserves with one deployment over 12 but not more than 18 months - Eligible at 60%

1. Tuition - The VA will pay 60% of veteran's tuition cost (including fees).
2. Housing Allowance - The VA will pay the recipient 60% of the Basic Allowance for Housing of an E-5, with dependents, in the zip code of the school. To see the current rate please visit www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool, and provide the requested information.
3. Book Stipend - The VA will pay up to $600 per school year. Typically this is paid in two equal installments of $300 but could be more or less depending on the number of credit hours you are registered in.

Note: In order to receive the full housing allowance and book stipend the recipient must be enrolled as a full time student (12 credit hours or more during Fall/Spring. During the Summer semester, VA will calculate your housing allowance based on credit hours and length of the course. The VA prorates the housing allowance and book stipend payments for recipients enrolled at less than full time. In order to receive the housing allowance and book stipend payments at all a recipient must be enrolled over half time. At WITCC this means seven credit hours or more during the Fall/Spring.

The VA prorates payments for partial months of school. As an example; if school begins August 20 the first housing allowance payment should be for August 20 to August 31 or 11 days of school. The housing allowance payment for August would be about 1/3 of the full monthly payment amount.

Taking All Online Courses

If all of the classes registered for are online courses, the VA will pay the Housing Allowance at a reduced rate determined annually by the VA multiplied by your percentage of eligibility. For your effective rate, please visit www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/ and provide the requested information. When asked "Will you be taking classes online?" select "All" and the correct housing allowance will be calculated.

The Montgomery GI Bill®, Chapter 30 (commonly called the Active Duty GI Bill®) was created for former active duty members of all branches of the Armed Forces who receive honorable discharges and have a high school diploma or equivalent or have 12 hours of college credit.

Eligibility

Generally, you are eligible for Chapter 30 GI Bill® if you paid into Chapter 30 GI Bill® ($1,200), served on Active Duty for over 36 months, and have an honorable discharge. You may also be eligible if you paid into Chapter 30 GI Bill ($1,200) and were medically discharged. You will remain eligible for Chapter 30 GI Bill® for 10 years from the date of separation from Active Duty (DD214). You may use any one GI Bill® benefit for up to 36 months of full time use and may be able to combine multiple GI Bill® benefits for up to 48 months of use.

Applying for Benefits

If you have never used Chapter 30 GI Bill® benefits before you will need to apply for the benefits.

1. Visit the VA's website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
2. Select the tab Apply for Benefits
3. Launch the Veterans Online Application
4. Complete and submit the application (VA Form 22-1990)

The VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (VA Form 22-0557) in 4-6 weeks. When you receive the COE please provide a copy to the Veterans Services Office.

Receiving Payments

When you notify the Veterans Services Office that you are registered for classes, the Veterans Services Coordinator will submit a certification to the VA. The VA can take up to 4-6 weeks to process certifications.

To receive the payment you are required to complete a verification of attendance each month. The last day of the month is the first day you can verify attendance for that month. As an example; for a fall semester if school begins August 20, the first day you can verify attendance is August 31. Once you have completed the verification, the VA can process your payment. There are two ways to verify attendance.

1. Visit www.benefits.va.gov/gibill then select the "Verify School Attendance" button.
2. Call 877-823-2378 and complete the automated attendance verification process.

The VA prorates payments for partial months of school. As an example; if school begins August 20 the first payment should be for August 20 to August 31 or 11 days of school. The payment for August would be about 1/3 of the full monthly payment amount.

If you are an actively drilling member of the reserve components, you may be eligible for Chapter 1606 Reserve Component GI Bill. The reserve components consist of Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard and Air National Guard.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Chapter 1606 you must:

1. Be a high school graduate or equivalent
2. Have a 6 year service obligation (typically your initial enlistment)
3. Complete your initial entry training (Basic Training and AIT or Tech training)

You will remain eligible for benefits for 14 years from the date of eligibility (usually the day you graduate AIT or Tech Training). You may use any one GI Bill® benefit for up to 36 months of full time use and may be able to combine multiple GI Bill® benefits for up to 48 months of use.

Applying for Benefits

If you have never used Chapter 1606 GI Bill® benefits before you will need to apply for the benefits.

1. Visit the VA's website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
2. Select the tab Apply for Benefits
3. Launch the Veterans Online Application
4. Complete and submit the application (VA Form 22-1990)

The VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (VA Form 22-0557) in 4-6 weeks. When you receive the COE please provide a copy to the Veterans Services Office. You may also provide a copy of your Notice of Basic Eligibility (DD Form 2384-1).

Receiving Payments

When you notify the Veterans Services Office that you are registered for classes, the Veterans Services Coordinator will submit a certification to the VA. The VA can take up to 4-6 weeks to process certifications.

To receive the payment you are required to complete a verification of attendance each month. The last day of the month is the first day you can verify attendance for that month. As an example; for a fall semester if school begins August 20, the first day you can verify attendance is August 31. Once you have completed the verification, the VA can process your payment. There are two ways to verify your attendance.

1. Visit www.benefits.va.gov/gibill then select the "Verify School Attendance" button.
2. Call 877.823.2378 and complete the automated attendance verification process.

The VA prorates payments for partial months of school. As an example; if school begins August 20 the first payment should be for August 20 to August 31 or 11 days of school. The payment for August would be about 1/3 of the full monthly payment amount.

The Dependent Education Assistance Program (DEA) Chapter 35 provides aid to a spouse, son or daughter (including stepchild or adopted child) of veterans who are either deceased or permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability.

Eligibility

As a son or daughter (including stepchild or adopted child) you can generally receive benefits under Chapter 35 from age 18 to 26 (8 years). Under certain circumstances you can begin before age 18 and continue after age 26. You can receive payments under Chapter 35 for a maximum of 45 months of full time benefit.

As a spouse of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled based on a service-connected disability you generally have 10 years from one of the following dates:

1. Effective date of the veteran's permanent and total disability evaluation
2. Date the VA notifies the veteran of the permanent and total disability
3. Beginning date you choose between 1 and 2 above

As a spouse you can receive payments under Chapter 35 for a maximum of 45 months of full time benefit.

Applying for Benefits

If you have never used Chapter 35 GI Bill® benefits before you will need to apply for the benefits.

1. Visit the VA's website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
2. Select the tab Apply for Benefits
3. Launch the Veterans Online Application
4. Complete and submit the application (VA Form 22-5490)

The VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in 4-6 weeks. When you receive the COE please provide a copy to the Veterans Services Office.

If you have used GI Bill® benefits at a different school and are now coming to WITCC, the VA requires you to complete a Change of Place of Training form (VA Form 22-5495). You may complete this form online by visiting the VA's website www.benefits.va.gov/gibill and then launching the Veterans Online Application. You may also complete this form by contacting the Veterans Services Office.

Receiving Payments

When you notify the Veterans Services Office that you are registered for classes, the Veterans Services Coordinator will submit a certification to the VA. The VA can take up to 4-6 weeks to process certifications. The VA will make payment to you directly beginning on or about the first of the month after classes begin.

The VA prorates payments for partial months of school. As an example; if school begins August 20 the first payment should be for August 20 to August 31 or 11 days of school. The payment for August would be about 1/3 of the full monthly payment amount.

The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program (previously called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. The VR&E 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, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

To use VR&E at WITCC you must first meet with a VR&E counselor and be approved.

Once approved for an educational program by your counselor you will:

• Apply and be accepted as a student at WITCC (if you are not already a student)
• Work with an academic advisor to register for classes in your program of study
• Notify the Veterans Services Office of your registration

Your VR&E counselor will provide a VA Form 28-1905 (Authorization for Benefits)
The Veterans Service Office will:

• Certify your registration to your VR&E counselor
• Notify Student Accounts that VR&E will pay for your tuition

Student Accounts will:

• Place funds on your WITCC account to purchase books and supplies at the WITCC Bookstore
• Funds will be available generally 1-2 weeks prior to the start date of your classes