Educational Benefit Programs available to veterans, dependents, and selected reservists are the following:

• Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill
• Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Educational Assistance Program
• Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation Veterans with a compensatory service-connected disability that impairs employability
• Chapter 32, VEAP Non-contributory VEAP (Section 903) Service beginning on or after January 1, 1977, through June 30, 1985
• Chapter 35, Educational Assistance for Veterans Dependents Children and spouses of veterans who died of a service-connected disability or who are totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected disability
• Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program

VA application forms are available from the office of veteran affairs located in the Administration Building or by applying online at www.gibill.va.gov

If the student has previously drawn educational benefits elsewhere, the student needs to complete a "Request for a Change of Place and/or Program" form and have transcripts from other colleges sent to Kirtland for evaluation as soon as possible. Benefits can be suspended if credit evaluations are not reported to the VA before the student completes two semesters.

Monthly rates vary according to which VA program is providing the assistance and the student's course load status: full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours); three-quarter time (9-11 credit hours); half-time (6-8 credit hours); less than half but more than one-quarter (4-5 credit hours); one-quarter time (3 credit hours).

Advance Pay:

Students eligible for VA benefits may request an advance payment if they carry at least a half-time course load and the VA receives the enrollment certification at least 30 days before classes start. It is recommended that applications be made six to eight weeks before registration. The advance check covers the initial month or partial month of the semester, plus the following month. This check is sent to the college, and the student receives it at registration. Subsequent checks are mailed to the student's mailing address.

Guidelines and Responsibilities

1. Generally, classes certified must fulfill graduation requirements.
2. VA payment is not ordinarily allowed for repeating a previously passed course.
3. Any changes in program of study, course load, address, etc., must be reported to the office of veteran affairs.
4. If any eligible student certified for benefits fails to enter a course or withdraws officially or unofficially from classes, the VA will be notified.
5. Students having problems with payment should contact the office of veteran affairs on campus or call the VA toll-free number: 1-888-442-4551.

If a student receiving VA benefits drops a class after the first 30 days of a regular semester and the drop changes the student's status, the student may have to repay the money received for the class. If the student receives a failing grade in the course dropped, the student is paid until the last date of attendance. However, if the student receives a W grade, the student must repay the benefits received for that course unless the drop was due to circumstances beyond the student's control.

The first time a student withdraws from up to six credits, the VA will excuse the withdrawal and pay benefits for the period attended. A VA-eligible student must always contact the office of veteran affairs before dropping courses to prevent payment problems.

Satisfactory Progress

A student receiving VA benefits needs to understand the college's policy regarding academic probation. A VA student placed on probation has a maximum of two consecutive semesters to raise the cumulative grade point average to a 2.0. Failure to do so will make the student ineligible for recertification, and unsatisfactory progress will be reported to the VA in writing.

The student may be recertified in the future under one of two conditions:

1. the cumulative grade point average is raised to 2.0
2. a request for resumption of VA educational benefits is submitted to the VA and the VA reinstates benefits based on evidence supporting the student's claim.

The veteran affairs coordinator will assist the student in submitting a claim for reinstatement of benefits if there were mitigating circumstances that led to the unsatisfactory progress.

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund

Children of Michigan veterans whose death or total disability is connected with wartime service should also inquire about the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. If Michigan residents and not over 25 years of age, they may be eligible for full or partial coverage of tuition and fee charges.

Service Members Opportunity College (SOC)

Kirtland Community College is designated as an SOC. The designation means the college understands service members' special needs and is receptive to working with them. The college also participates in the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) as future students enlist in the U.S. Army. Contact Kirtland's Student Services Office for more information

For more information, visit the GI Bill Web site.

If you have questions of any kind relating to your eligibility for veterans educational benefits, please contact us:

Financial Aid Office

Kirtland Community College

10775 N. St. Helen Rd.

Roscommon, MI 48653 USA

(989) 275-5000 x257

Fax: (989) 275-6727