The "Forever GI Bill" was signed into law August 17, 2017, and brings significant changes to veterans' education benefits over the next few years. Most changes enhance or expand education benefits for veterans, servicemembers, families and survivors.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Some of the benefits the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay include:
Your full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students, if you qualify at the 100% rate.
A monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. For those enrolled solely in distance learning the housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents
An annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.
This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits.
The College shall not impose any penalty on any covered individual, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Secretary under chapter 31, 33, or 35 of title 38, United States Code.
For more information about this action taken on behalf of our servicemembers, here is a link to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Policy Protecting Students from Fees and Penalties Due to VA Payment Delay - Education and Training
Apply for your benefits online at How To Apply For The GI Bill And Related Benefits | Veterans Affairs (va.gov). Select a school you would like to attend and make sure it is approved for veteran's benefits. Register only for courses required under your degree program. Request transcripts from all previous educational institutions and your military transcript and have them evaluated for possible credit toward your degree. This is a DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) requirement.
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. https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_transfer.asp
The Montgomery GI Bill will provide you with a monthly educational allowance to help you pay for your education. The monthly benefit amount depends upon the number of credits you take each term, the length of each course, and the length of your initial enlistment. You may be eligible for 36 months of full-time educational benefits, provided you completed your initial obligation with an honorable discharge. Benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
Apply for your benefits by applying online at How To Apply For The GI Bill And Related Benefits | Veterans Affairs (va.gov). Select a school you would like to attend and make sure it is approved for veteran's benefits. Register only for courses required under your degree program. Request transcripts from all previous educational institutions and your military transcript and have thehttps://benefits.va.gov/benefits/vonapp.aspm evaluated for possible credit toward your degree. This is a DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) requirement.
No. You may take as many or as few courses as you feel you can comfortably manage. Your monthly payment will be determined by the number of semester hours in which you are enrolled and the length of your courses.
Federal tuition assistance: Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves
State tuition assistance: Virginia National Guard
Please speak with your Education Services Officer (ESO) at your unit for more details.
The campus Veterans Coordinator will certify your enrollment. The DVA will process your claim and send a payment directly to the bank account designated by you.
Students who receive the Post 9/11 benefits MUST verify their enrollment each month to receive payments.
Students who receive either the MGIB, Selected Reserve or Survivors' and Dependents' education benefits MUST verify their enrollment each month to receive payments.
When will I receive my first payment? How do I find out the status of my payments?
Because DVA pays based on your previous month's attendance, it will take 6-8 weeks from the start of a semester to receive your first payment. You will be paid retroactively from the first day of class. Once you receive your first payment, subsequent payments are deposited the first week of the month.
Students may inquire about the status of a pending claim by calling 1-888-442-4551.
No. Students must notify the Veterans Coordinator at the start of each semester. The Veterans Coordinator will review your program of study and verify the courses you are enrolled in are required to complete your degree program. Certification of enrollment is submitted electronically to the Processing Office.
If you withdraw from a course, the DVA may require you to repay the money for the course unless you withdrew due to reasons beyond your control. If the DVA accepts your reason for withdrawing, you will be paid through the last day of attendance. If this is the first instance you withdrew, the DVA may consider mitigating circumstances exist without explanation from you for withdrawing from a course or courses totaling not more than 6 semester hours. Note: You must report any changes in your class schedule to your Veterans Coordinator to avoid overpayment of your educational benefits.
No. You can only take classes required under your degree plan; DVA will not pay for a course that cannot be used in your degree program. Also, DVA will not pay for a course you have already taken and successfully completed.
Yes. The DVA allows you to make a plan change.
Once you have received orders, you have the following options:
- Drop all classes and 100% of the tuition and fees will be refunded.
- Withdraw from all classes and receive a "W" grade. Please note there will be no refund of tuition and fees.
- Make arrangements with the instructor to receive an incomplete grade.
Please note your decision may impact any tuition assistance or financial aid you may have through state and federal programs. Please consult with the Veterans Coordinator and the financial aid office as soon as possible.
Submit official transcripts for evaluation to the Office of Admissions and Records, including your DD-214, and transcripts from prior colleges and military service schools. The DVA requires an evaluation of your military training/experience and all prior college credits. All transcripts must be submitted and evaluated by the end of your second semester; otherwise DVA will stop your benefits.
Community College of the Air Force
Joint Services Transcript (Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy)
Credits2Careers
Veterans may visit the Credits2Careers website for more information about which previous education credits may transfer to CVCC.
What information can I obtain by calling 1-888-442-4551?
The automated system provides a wide range of information about DVA educational benefits and specific information about individual accounts.