Welcome to Montgomery Community College!
As a veteran, you are entitled to certain benefits, and are eligible to participate in certain programs at Montgomery Community College (MCC). Our primary goal for veteran students (veterans, participants, military, and other eligible persons under the provisions of Title 38, United States Code, Section 375) is to enroll and certify enrollment for education benefits with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Veterans are afforded the same rights and must meet all academic requirements and maintain the same academic standards as any student attending MCC. This Handbook should serve as a guide and a brief overview of the veteran programs available. All programs offered are approved through the North Carolina State Approving Agency.
MCC is a member of Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC), a consortium of over 1,500 institutions which pledge to be reasonable in working with service members and veterans who are attempting to earn a degree while pursuing demanding, transient careers. As a SOC member, MCC is committed to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements, and awarding credit from appropriate military training and work experiences. SOC is sponsored by fifteen national higher education associations with the military services, the National Guard Bureau, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense serving as cooperating agencies.
Active servicepersons must consult with the Education Services Officer (ESO) on his or her military facility before submitting an application for VA benefits to MCC. It is our hope that this Handbook will provide answers for many of your questions. However, if you need further assistance, please give me a call.
Sincerely,
Tammy Owens
Financial Aid Assistant/Veterans Certifying Official
910-576-6222, ext. 336
Email: owenst@montgomery.edu
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I Qualify For VA Benefits?
The Veterans Administration (VA) will make a determination of whether or not you qualify for veterans benefits, including the amount of your monthly benefit when your application and certification are submitted. Please see the chart “Summary of VA Educational Benefits” for more detailed information. For questions and inquiries regarding VA Education Benefits, call 1-888-GIBILL1(1-888-442-4551) or visit www.gibill.va.gov.
How Do I Apply?
1. First, make sure you are accepted for admission. You can apply for admission online by accessing an application at www.montgomery.edu. You may also access a class schedule at: www.montgomery.edu/acadsched.htm.
2. You can apply for VA benefits by completing VA Form 22-1990 (Application for Veteran’s Education Benefits) from the Financial Aid Department at MCC or from any VA Office. You may also download a copy of the application from the following web site: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/educationforms.htm.
How Much Will VA Pay?
Veteran benefits are not taxable and therefore should not be reported to the IRS. The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, and if Department of Defense (DOD) added extra money into your Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) account ("kickers"). You usually have ten (10) years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be less or longer in some cases. Please refer to the “Summary of VA Education Benefits” chart for more information.
How Much Of The Cost Will My VA Benefits Cover?
The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay only for the exact number of days a student is enrolled. Thus if a student begins classes on the 15th of a month, VA will pay from the 15th to the end of the month. VA education benefits pay only a portion of the total cost of the program. Under current laws, VA education benefit payments are based on both the rate of training (such as full-time or half-time) and on the length of training.
Veterans enrolled in courses under the Montgomery G.I. Bill will receive a monthly check from the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA will make a determination of your monthly benefit when your application and certification are submitted. Generally, thirty-six (36) months of full-time benefits are provided. The monthly benefit amount is determined by the course-load taken. A full-time undergraduate student will be eligible to receive full VA benefits (twelve (12) credit hours minimum or six (6) credit hours minimum each term under compressed terms). Benefits for a student who enrolls for less than full-time will be prorated. Bear in mind that full time requirements for off campus locations may vary because of accelerated terms. Veterans should contact the VA Certifying Official at MCC for more information.
