FINANCIAL AID
Veterans Administration Educational Benefits
CVCC is approved for Veterans Administration Educational Benefits. Most programs are approved but any student wishing to use VA benefits should contact the VA Certifying Official in Student Services.
Current VA Rates
Effective October 1, 2008 rates for some educational benefits changed. Full-time rates for the Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 30 are $1321 per month. For the Selected Guard/Reserve program Chapter 1606 rates for full time are $329 per month, and for REAP (Chapter 1607) full times rates are $528,$792, or $1056 depending on the length of deployment. The new full-time rate for dependents under Chapter 35 is $915. If you have benefits available, they are even more valuable; call or email Doug Allen to find out how to take advantage of this valuable earned benefit.
For a summary of all current rates, visit VA site.
HOT ! HOT! HOT!
Coming in August 2009 the new Post 9/11 GI Bill. For updates and information go to the GI Bill website, www.gibill.va.gov.
Recent updates:
New education benefit for Activated Reservists
There is a new education benefit available to certain individuals who were activated on or after September 11, 2001. We call this benefit the "Reserve Educational Assistance Program" (REAP) or Chapter 1607.
General information on REAP is available on the GI Bill website; Education Benefits, GI Bill Information.
Attendance reporting for prior active duty and Guard/Reserve
The VA has implemented monthly verifications in chapter 1606. At the same time, we have discontinued the issuance of paper verification forms (VA Form 22-8979) for IHL and NCD enrollments in the chapter 30 program.
Now that this project is fully implemented, all chapter 30 and chapter 1606 beneficiaries will have to submit their monthly verifications through either the WAVE application or from a touch-tone phone. Details on these verification options are below.
Telephone Verification Program
Students in all states who are receiving chapter 30 education benefits are able to confirm their monthly enrollment via toll-free phone number. Use of this system eliminates the need for the student to sign and return the previously used VA Form 22-8979 every month. The system offers several advantages:
It is available 24 hours a day;
It allows V.A. to process education payments faster, thereby getting payments to students sooner;
There is no longer any need to worry about a lost form or lost mail and...
The call takes only about a minute.
The number to call is: 1-877-823-2378
Internet Verification Program
WAVE [Web Automated Verification of Enrollment] is available 24 hours a day to Chapter 30 & 1606 students choosing to confirm their monthly enrollment via the internet. It has the same advantage as using the toll-free phone number, with additional benefits to include the ability to:
Check the student benefit status [term dates & training time];
Check the last payment issue date & monthly rate [based on full months attendance];
Submit a request to change the address on record if it is incorrect;
Review frequently asked questions [FAQs] and...
Ask a question of your own if necessary.
For additional information visit the VA site at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do
Direct Deposit Now Available!
Federal law will eventually require all payments to be made this way. If you are a Chapter 30, Chapter 1606 or REAP Chapter 1607 recipient, get started now for your own peace of mind; NO LOST CHECKS! You can make the request in writing, by calling a VA toll free number, 877-838-2778, or online through WAVE. In any case you will need your VA file number (social security number), the routing number for your financial institution, the account number, and whether a savings or checking account. A mail-in form is available from the VA Certifying Official in Student Services.
Basic Eligibility
Montgomery GI Bill. Persons who first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, are generally eligible. Some Vietnam Era veterans and certain veterans separated under special programs are also eligible. The bill also includes a program for certain reservist and National Guard members.
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). This program is for veterans who entered active duty for the first time after December 1, 1976, and before July 1, 1985, and contributed to a training fund.
Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance. Some family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for educational benefits.
Time Limits. Generally, veterans have 10 years from the date they were last released from active duty to use their educational benefits. Spouses generally have 10 years from the date they are found eligible. Children are generally eligible from age 18 until age 26. These limits can sometimes be extended.
For additional information go to the VA site on Education Benefits and Policies.
Veterans can receive an application from the VA Certifying Official in Student Services or the local county office of the NC Division of Veterans Affairs. To complete an on-line application for educational benefits, go to http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
Dependents can receive an application from the VA Certifying Official in Student Services or the local county office of the NC Division of Veterans Affairs. Or on-line at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
Getting Started
Choose a VA approved program. Most all CVCC Academic Programs that award a degree, diploma or certificate are approved. Corporate and Continuing Education programs are not approved but to make sure visit Student Services and check with a VA Certifying Official.
Meet all CVCC and VA admission requirements:
an official high school transcript or GED
official transcripts from all colleges attended
formal evaluation by CVCC of all college transcripts and any military training submitted for evaluation
completion of any required placement testing
completion of an application, VA 1990 or VA5490. If you have used VA education benefits before, a VA1995 or VA5495 is needed instead.
a copy of all DD214's or NOBE may be required (not required if you have used education benefits before)
completion with your academic advisor as required of the CVCC Request for Certification form. This form must be completed each academic year, normally in summer (or the first term of enrollment), for the complete academic year.
No certification can be made until all of these requirements are met.
Register for classes.
Please note that VA students are responsible for the payment of tuition, fees, and books at registration.
VA payments are made directly to you after classes have begun. VA students are encouraged to apply for Federal Financial Aid as well; go to the CVCC Financial Aid web page for information.
Staying on Track
Make satisfactory progress toward your VA educational goal.
See the CVCC Catalog and/or Student Handbook for specific academic requirements.
Only classes that meet specific requirements for your VA program can be certified for benefits.
VA will not pay for
any class previously passed (D or better)
any class for which transfer credit was given - any optional remedial class
any audited class
any class that does not meet specific program requirements unless a course substitution form is provided by advisor and department head
For fall and/or spring semester, full benefits will be paid for 12 or more credit hours, 3/4 benefits for 9-11 credit hours, and 1/2 benefits for 6-8 credit hours. Unless specifically requested by the VA student, no certification will be made for less than 1/2 time, 5 or less credit hours.
For summer or any other non-standard term, VA will compute benefits based on credit hours and length of term. For CVCC 's normal summer semester, full time should equal 8 hours, 3/4 time is 6 hours, and 1/2 time is 4 hours. Taking mini session, 5 week or 8 week classes, may change the computation for any term. If you have questions, please see the VA certifying official in Student Services.
Notify the VA Certifying Official in Student Services of any changes in your schedule.
Program changes must be made in writing with the VA Certifying Official in Student Services, and will require an official transcript evaluation before certification in the new program.
Please remember, CVCC is not the VA and has no control of VA policy and rulings. It is your responsibility to comply with VA rules and procedures covered in appropriate laws, regulations, and pamphlets.
Contacts:
CVCC VA Certifying Officials:
Primary: DOUG ALLEN Student Services (828) 327-7000 ext 4409 or email: dallen@cvcc.edu
Local VA Offices:
STEVE MAINS Hickory VA Office 306 4th St SW (828) 322-6616
CINDY TRAVIS Newton VA Office Room 045 Government Center (828) 465-8255
Last updated February 27, 2009
