If you don’t find the answers to your questions below, please contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551 or www.gibill.va.gov. You may also contact the JCCC Veteran Services Office at the email address link or phone number listed below.

1. This is the first time I have used my Veterans' education benefits. How do I apply?

If this is the first time you have used your Veterans’ education assistance, you will need to establish your eligibility with the Veterans Administration. You can apply online or download a paper application at www.gibill.va.gov. Once the VA has processed your application, they will send you a Certificate of Eligibility. This is your official notification that you are eligible to use your benefits.

2. If I am a new student at JCCC, how does my enrollment get certified to the VA?

In order to receive payment on your benefits, you must enroll in classes in an approved program of study and submit a completed New Student Data Sheet for Veterans Educational Assistance along with a Program Plan for the degree or certificate you will be seeking to the JCCC Veterans Office. The JCCC Veteran Services Office will then certify your enrollment to the VA. When the VA completes the processing of this certification, they will send you an Award Letter.

3. I am a new student at JCCC but I have used my Veterans' education benefits before. What paperwork do I need to complete?

If you have used your education benefits at another institution, you will need to complete the appropriate VA application for a Change of Place of Training or Program and submit it to the JCCC Veteran Services Office along with the New Student Data Sheet for Veterans Educational Assistance and a Program Plan for the degree or certificate you will be seeking at JCCC. Change of Place of Training or Program application forms are available at www.gibill.va.gov or by contacting the JCCC Veteran Services Office.

4. If I am a continuing student at JCCC, how does my enrollment get certified to the VA?

In order to continue to receive your benefits, you must submit a Veterans Recertification Worksheet to the JCCC Veterans Office for each semester that you want to use your education benefits at JCCC

5. I am pursuing my degree at another instituion and will be a attending JCCC as a guest student. How does my enrollment get certified to the VA?

You will need to request that the Veteran Certifying Official from your parent school provide a "Parent School Letter" to the JCCC Veteran Services Office that approves your classes at JCCC for certification to the VA. Additionally, you will need to complete and submit a Veterans Recertification Worksheet to the JCCC Veteran Services Office. Once both of these documents have been received and you are enrolled in the approved classes at JCCC, your enrollment will be certified to the VA.

6.How much will I be eligible to receive each month?

The VA will determine your payment rate based on the type of benefit you are eligible for and how many hours you are enrolled in. You can check the VA website to find out the basic payment rates: www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm. These are basic rates of pay and do not include kickers, buy-up or any other additional programs.

7. How soon will I receive my first payment?

It can take the VA 10 to 12 weeks to process your initial application and 8 to 10 weeks to process enrollment certifications. Generally, VA education benefit payments are made at the end of each month you attend school; for example, if classes start in August and your claim has been completely processed by the VA, the payment for that month will normally be received in the first ten days of September.

8. Do I need to verify my attendance to the VA?

Students using Chapters 30, 1606 and 1607 must verify their attendance to the VA on the last day of each month. Your payment for that month will not be released until you have verified your attendance. Attendance can be verified online www.gibill.va.gov or by phone 1-877-823-2378

Students using Dependents Education Assistance -- Chapter 35 are NOT required to verify monthly attendance.

9.Does the GI Bill pay the school directly for my tuition costs?

The Montgomery GI Bill is a monthly amount that is paid directly to you based on how many hours you are enrolled in. However, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which becomes effective August 2009, will have a tuition payment component. Please check the VA website www.gibill.va.gov for more details.

10. I am an actively drilling member of the Reserves or National Guard. How do I apply for Tuition Assistance?

Reserve Service members can apply online at https://rcms.ocar.army.pentagon.mil/Education and Guard members can apply online at www.virtualarmory.com. This program is not administrated by the VA or the JCCC Veteran Services Office. If you have questions regarding your eligibility for Tuition Assistance, you will need to contact either your Unit’s Education Services Officer or Commanding Officer.

11. Does the VA care what classes I take?

Yes. While you are a degree/certificate-seeking student at JCCC, the VA will only allow certification for classes that apply toward your JCCC degree/certificate requirements.

12. Why won't the VA pay for a class I'm taking?

It's possible that the class is not in the program plan for the degree or certificate you are seeking at JCCC or you may be enrolled in a non-approved program. Please contact the JCCC Veteran Services Office for more information.

13. How many college credits do I get from my military experience?

JCCC will grant 4 credit hours for Basic Training in the Health/Physical Education area. All other credits will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please refer to the Military Credit section or contact a prior learning assessment advisor for more information: 913-469-8500, ext. 3538 or email pla.testing@jccc.net.

14. How can I find out if a program is approved for Veterans education benefits? You can search for approved programs on the VA website by clicking on inquiry.vba.va.gov.

15. Are Veterans Education Benefits taxable?

Payments you receive for education, training, or subsistence under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are tax free. Do not include these payments as income on your federal tax return. This information is from the IRS website www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch01.html. You will need to check with your tax advisor regarding your individual state income tax requirements.

16. Are Veterans benefits payable for enrollment in online classes?

Yes, generally, enrollment in distance learning classes can be certified to the VA. However, the VA does not allow certification for enrollment in distance learning for remedial classes. Additionally, enrollment in distance learning classes can affect eligibility for BAH under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Veteran Services Office | Email: JCCC Veteran Services Office
Phone: (913) 469-8500 Ext. 3924 Fax: (913) 469-2300
Web site Last Updated: 04/01/08

NOTICE: The JCCC Veteran Services Office and Certifying Official are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  The staff of the JCCC Veteran Services office are not VA employees.

To contact the VA directly, call 1-888-GI Bill-1 or email www.gibill2.va.gov .