Veterans Services FAQ | Northwest-Shoals Community College

Veterans' Services

The federal government and the State of Alabama have programs that provide financial assistance to veterans and their dependents. NW-SCC believes that veterans are entitled to all benefits accrued through service to their country. The following information is given for those applying for veteran's benefits.

Alabama GI Dependents' Scholarship Program

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs offers financial assistance to eligible dependents - child, stepchild, spouse, or unmarried widow(er) of disabled veterans (living or deceased), who were permanent civilian residents of Alabama prior to entry into military service. Special consideration is given to dependents of permanently and totally disabled veterans who are bona fide residents or were prior to their death. Other benefits may be available to eligible dependents of former prisoners of war (POW), declared missing in action (MIA), and those who died in service.

Maximum educational benefits include free tuition and required textbooks, excluding noncredit and/or remedial courses, for four standard academic years or a prescribed technical course at any state-supported junior or community college, university, or technical school. Only certain fees are covered.

Dependent children must file an application prior to age 26 (may be extended to age 30 in certain cases). A spouse or widow(er) does not have a filing deadline or age limitation.

For more information and application procedures, students should contact the nearest Veterans Affairs Office located in each county courthouse or write to the Alabama GI Dependents' Scholarship Program, Post Office Box 1509, Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1509.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)

This program provides financial aid for the education of dependent sons, daughters, and spouses of the following individuals:

Veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability arising out of active service in the Armed Forces.

Veterans who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.

Servicepersons missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.

Servicepersons forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.

Eligible dependents under this program must provide the following items:

Completed VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

Official grade transcripts from any colleges previously attended (submitted to the Admissions Office).

It is strongly suggested that Chapter 35 dependents begin their application process at their local Veterans Affairs Office.

Old GI Bill (Vietnam Era-Chapter 34)

Benefits for veterans under the Old GI Bill were terminated December 31, 1989. Some benefits for these veterans were carried over to the new bill (Montgomery GI Bill, Chapter 30). Veterans who feel that they have some remaining eligibility under the Chapter 34 program should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 (1-888-GIBILL1).

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32)

To apply for benefits through the Veterans Educational Assistance Program, veterans with service beginning on or after January 1, 1977, through June 30, 1985, must provide the following items to apply for these benefits:

Completed Application for Educational Benefits (Form 22-1990).

Copy of DD Form 214 Member 4 Copy (separation papers).

Official grade transcripts from any colleges previously attended (submitted to the Admissions Office).

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 30)

Certain veterans with an honorable discharge and servicepersons may qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill. Veterans under this program must provide the following items:

Completed Application for Educational Benefits (VA Form 22-1990).

Copy of DD Form 214 Member 4 Copy (separation papers).

Official grade transcripts from any colleges previously attended (submitted to the Admissions Office).

Active duty or servicepersons complete VA Form 22-1990 only.

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1606).

Members of the National Guard or Selected Reserve who enlist, reenlist, or extend an enlistment in National Guard or Selected Reserve so that the soldier has an obligation to serve for a period of not less than six years following the date of such action may qualify for Chapter 1606. Soldiers under this program must provide the following items:

Completed Application for Educational Benefits (VA Form 22-1990).

DD 2384 (Notice of Basic Eligibility) completed by National Guard or Reserve unit.

Kicker Contract (if applicable).

Official grade transcripts from any colleges previously attended (submitted to the Admissions Office).

Montgomery GI Bill - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607) (REAP).

A member of a reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, under title 10 U.S. Code for a contingency operation and who serves at least 90 consecutive days or more is eligible for Chapter 1607. National Guard members are also eligible if their active duty is under section 502(f), title 32 U.S.C. and is supported by federal funds and they serve for 90 consecutive days when authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency. Individuals are eligible as soon as they reach the 90-day point whether or not they are currently on active duty. The Department of Defense (DOD) will fully identify contingency operations that qualify for benefits under Chapter 1607.

Disabled members who are injured or have an illness or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and are released from active duty before completing 90 consecutive days are also eligible.

Soldiers under this program must provide the following items:

For new applicants, a completed Application for Educational Benefits (VA Form 22-1990); for transfer students, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995).

DD2384 (Notice of Basic Eligibility).

Kicker Contract (if applicable).

DD Form 214 Member 4 Copy.

Official grade transcripts from any colleges previously attended (submitted to the Admissions Office).

Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP)

The State of Alabama offers this assistance to an Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program applicant who is (1) a resident of Alabama and (2) designated to be an eligible student enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program at an eligible institution. The assistance is awarded to the student to defray direct education-related expenses: tuition, mandatory fees, books, and supplies, not to exceed $500 per term and not more than $1000 annually. Certain restrictions apply. (See Veterans Coordinator at NW-SCC.)

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)

Vocational rehabilitation is intended to help the service-disabled veteran become independent in daily living and, to the extent possible, to select, prepare for, and secure employment that is compatible with his or her interests, abilities, physical capabilities, and goals. Under Chapter 31, the Department of Veterans Affairs pays the cost of required tuition, fees, books, equipment, and supplies. The veteran also receives a monthly subsistence allowance.

Interested students should contact the county Veterans Affairs Office or the regional Veterans Affairs Office at 1-800-827-1000.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Veterans and dependents under this program must provide the following items:

Certificate of Eligibility as issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Official grade transcripts from any colleges previously attended (submitted to the Admissions and Records Office).

For detailed eligibility information, visit the Veterans Affairs Web site at www.gibill.va.gov, or call toll free at 888-442-4551 (888-GIBILL1).

Required Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Veterans

To retain eligibility for veterans' benefits, all veterans must meet the same standards of student progress applicable to all students at the institution.

Certification of Veterans

The following criteria are used for certifying veterans or eligible dependents for federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits:

Certification is granted only for courses that are applicable to the declared program of study. Any deviation must be approved in writing.

Certification is granted only for hours required to complete the selected program of study.

Certification is not granted for audit or continuing education courses.

Remedial classes, based on placement test scores, can be certified to VA; however, online remedial classes cannot be certified to VA.

Veterans must be recertified for education benefits each year at the beginning of fall semester and when they reenter college after an interruption of their educational program. The Veterans Affairs Office does not certify enrollment for veterans to the VA until after the last day of late registration. This is to ensure that the correct information is sent to the VA for the semester in which veterans are registering. However, the College will certify the veteran prior to registration for fall term based on the assumption that the veteran's enrollment status remains the same as summer term. Because of the early certification, the veteran could be overpaid or underpaid until the correct information is received and processed by the VA after the last day of late registration.

Veterans who have received college credit at other institutions are certified only for courses necessary to complete the declared program of study at NW-SCC. Veterans are required to have an official grade transcript in the Admissions Office if they have attended any other college. It is the veteran's responsibility to notify the NW-SCC Financial Aid Office when the transcript has been received in the Admissions Office. Enrollment is certified to the VA for only two semesters until prior transcripts are received and evaluated by the Admissions Office staff at NW-SCC.

Benefits are paid on the enrollment schedule below:

Full time = 12 or more semester hours

Three-quarter time = 9-11 semester hours

Half time = 6-8 semester hours

Part time = 5 or fewer semester hours

Under certain circumstances, veterans and dependents can be paid at an accelerated rate for a lesser number of credit hours. This typically occurs during mini-terms and summer terms. A veteran may, under certain circumstances, be awarded credit in Physical Education (PED) for prior military service. A copy of the veteran's DD Form 214 with honorable discharge must be submitted to the Registrar's Office for credit to be granted. Credit for military learning experiences may also be granted.

Application and payment processing by the Department of Veterans Affairs normally takes up to 90 days; therefore, the veteran must be prepared to pay all tuition and fees for the first two terms of enrollment before benefits are received. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Advance Pay

Veterans and dependents may also apply for advance pay. To be eligible for advance pay, veterans and dependents must submit their application and other documentation in accordance with the deadlines established each term by the Office of Financial Aid at NW-SCC. The advance payment is then mailed to the appropriate College location for delivery to the veteran on registration day. The advance payment includes an allowance for the portion of the month in which the school term begins as well as the next month's allowance. Veterans and dependents will not receive another check until the end of the third calendar month of enrollment. Advance pay is based on full-time enrollment. If the veteran and dependent change enrollment status to less than full-time, the result is an overpayment which the veteran or dependent is responsible for resolving with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For additional information about the full range of veterans' programs available through the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans and dependents should contact their local Veterans Affairs Office, regional Veterans Affairs Office at 1-888-442-4551 (1-888-GIBILL1), or Office of Financial Aid at NWSCC at 256-331-5417.

Other Forms of Financial Assistance

State Vocational Rehabilitation. Students with certain disabilities that interfere with their ability to work or attend college may be eligible for assistance through the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services Office. Rehabilitation services may provide assistance with all costs associated with school attendance. For additional information, contact the Muscle Shoals Rehabilitation Agency at 256-381-1110 or 256-383-5343.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA). This Act was designed to provide training to individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, unskilled, or recently dislocated from a job because of layoff or plant closure. Assistance through the WIA program includes tuition, fees, books and tools. For information, contact the local state employment service in your home county.

The Trade Adjustment Act (TAA). This Act was designed to assist individuals in returning to suitable employment after becoming unemployed as a result of increased foreign imports. The TAA provides funds for individual referral training if the applicant meets all requirements. Assistance through this program includes tuition, fees, books tools and supplies. Interested applicants must contact the local state employment service to determine eligibility.

State Student Incentive Grant (ASAK). The Federal Government, through a matching grant program with the State of Alabama, provides grants to students who demonstrate substantial financial need and who meet residency requirements for Alabama. The minimum award per year is $300 for qualified students. The Financial Aid Office will award the Alabama Grant.

www.fastweb.com This website contains free scholarship search.

www.scholarships.com This website contains free scholarship search.

www.scholarshipexperts.com This website contains free scholarship search.

(Please be aware of sites that you have to pay for to use.)

Northwest-Shoals Community College agrees to comply with the Executive Order's Principles of Excellence within the 2012-2013 academic year.

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