Veterans’ Benefits

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VA education benefits are available under the following programs:

  • Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill®
  • Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty
  • Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve
  • Chapter 35 – Survivors’ & Dependents’ Education Assistance
  • Chapter 31 – Veterans Readiness & Employment (Previously Vocational Rehabilitation)

For more information on each VA education benefit program, please visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at Benefits.va.gov/gibill.

For specific questions regarding your VA Education Benefits eligibility, remaining entitlement and payments, please call VA Education Benefits line at 1-888-442-4551 or access your VA benefits and health care account. Unfortunately, we do not have access to this information and are unable to provide information specific to your benefit entitlement.

USING YOUR VA EDUCATION BENEFITS AT CHATTAHOOCHEE TECH FAQs

How do I apply for VA Education Benefits?

To apply for VA Education Benefits, please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website. Click on “Find Your Education Benefits Form” in a green rectangle and answer a set of questions to be directed to complete correct application. It is recommended to print or save confirmation page after completing the application, as you will not be able to access it later. Once your application for VA education benefits is approved, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail in 3-4 weeks.

Please submit a copy of the COE and DD214 member 4 or service 2 (if available) using the Student Financial Services – Secure Documents Upload Form.

Certifying Officials
I am eligible for more than one education benefit. Which one should I choose?

In most cases, Post 9/11 GI Bill will be most beneficial, however it is far from true in all cases. It depends on different factors such as length of your active duty service, financial aid you are eligible for, enrollment status, class attendance on campus or exclusively online, etc. If you choose to use Post 9/11 GI Bill, you will have to relinquish your rights to one of the additional education benefits you are eligible for. This decision is irrevocable; therefore, it is important to consider your options carefully. You can use the GI Bill benefits comparison tool to make an informed decision.

I have registered for classes and submitted all of my documents. When will my enrollment be certified to VA?

Once you turn in your Certificate of Eligibility to Chattahoochee Tech VA Certifying Official, it will be noted in the Chattahoochee Tech system that you are VA education benefit recipient. Your name will show up on a report each semester when you register for classes and your class schedule will be certified to VA. The certification process begins approximately 30 days before the start of any given term. Once your enrollment is certified, you will receive an email confirmation. If you make changes to your schedule after initial certification, please notify the VA Certifying Official via e-mail. If you do not, changes to your schedule will not be submitted to VA after the “no show” period.

I am a transfer student, what do I need to do to start my benefits at Chattahoochee Tech?
  1. Visit VA Education and Training.
  2. Click on “Select Correct Form.”
  3. Select “Updating my current education benefits.”
  4. Complete an application to request change of place of training.
I have registered for classes and submitted all of my documents. When will my enrollment be certified to VA?

Once you turn in your Certificate of Eligibility to Chattahoochee Tech VA Certifying Official, it will be noted in Chattahoochee Tech system that you are VA education benefit recipient. Your name will show up on a report each semester when you register for classes and your class schedule will be certified to VA. The certification process begins approximately 30 days before the start of any given term. Once your enrollment is certified, you will receive an email confirmation. If you make changes to your schedule after initial certification, please notify the VA Certifying Official via e-mail. If you do not, changes to your schedule will not be submitted to VA after “no show” period.

Am I required to pay my tuition and fees out-of-pocket?

Post 9/11 GI Bill and Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33) recipients and Chapter 31 – Veterans Readiness & Employment (Previously Vocational Rehabilitation) users are not required to pay tuition and fees up-front as Chattahoochee Tech will bill VA after drop/add period. Students using Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA/Chapter 35) or Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606) benefits are required to pay tuition and fees out of pocket or secure financial aid by tuition payment deadline.

If a Chapter 33 student is not covered at 100% or is considered out-of-state, they will be required to cover the difference. For Chapter 33 recipients only: VA only covers the in-state portion of tuition and fees. If you are classified as an out-of-state student, you are responsible for the out-of-state portion of tuition. If you are a veteran or veteran’s dependent using transferred benefits, live in the state of Georgia and enroll at Chattahoochee Tech within three years of discharge from active duty, you may be granted in-state tuition rate by completing the Military Exemption Form and submitting it to Chattahoochee Tech Student Affairs – Admissions Department.

How much will I be receiving monthly from VA?

You can access payment rates on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

How many credit hours is considered full-time enrollment at Chattahoochee Tech for VA education benefits purposes?

Full time enrollment for financial aid or other purposes may not be the same. When registering for classes, be mindful of actual term dates. Some classes run only over a part of the term and you must determine what your rate of pursuit equivalent is to know how much you will be receiving from VA. When in doubt, please contact the VA Certifying Official. Important to know: Post 9/11 GI Bill users enrolled in classes at half time or less will not receive any MHA stipend.

I received a letter from the VA stating that Chattahoochee Tech did not report tuition and fees? Why is that?

Due to issues with over-payments, the VA Certifying Official reports credit hours separately from tuition and fees. Credit hours are reported before the start of the term. However, to ensure that tuition and fees are reported accurately to the VA, they are submitted after the add/drop and “no show” periods are over.

Do VA benefits affect financial aid?

You can receive financial aid and VA education benefits at the same time. However, VA does mandate that HOPE is the first payer and only the remaining tuition and fees balance is submitted to the VA for Post 9/11 GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits users. The federal Pell Grant and HOPE Career Grant are not affected by VA Education benefits.

Veteran education benefits users are encouraged to complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to learn if they qualify for financial aid. 2022-2023 FAFSA is used to award financial aid (if eligible) for Summer 2023 term and 2023-2024 FAFSA is used to award financial aid (if eligible) for Fall 2023 – Summer 2024 terms. Chattahoochee Tech federal school code is 005620.

Do I have to verify my enrollment each month to receive payment from the VA?

The following chapters are required to verify enrollment on the last day of each month:

  • Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI BILL)
  • Chapter 1606 (Selective Reserve)
    • This can be done via the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by calling 1-877-823-2378.
  • Chapter 35 (Dependents’ Educational Assistance) recipients enrolled in diploma or certificate program also have to verify their enrollment. They will need to do so by talking to VA Customer Service representative at 1-888-442-4551
I haven’t received my payment from VA yet? When can I expect it?

Payments begin the month after the beginning of each semester. If you have not received your monthly payment and it has been at least 30-45 days since your enrollment certification was submitted by Chattahoochee Tech, please contact VA directly at 1-888-442-4551.

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