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 FA Veteran Affairs Certificate of Eligibility Submission Form.

Certifying Officials

Contact VA Certifying Officials via email at: FA.VA@chattahoocheetech.edu

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 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.

As you plan your schedule, please keep the following in mind to ensure there are no issues with your VA benefits certification: 

• Courses not listed as required in DegreeWorks for a specific program area are not eligible.

• Repeated courses that were previously passed—even if taken at another institution—cannot be certified unless the program specifically requires a higher grade. This applies regardless of whether VA benefits were used the first time.

• Excess elective credits beyond what the program allows cannot be certified. For example, an Accounting AAS student cannot receive certification for multiple General Education Core Area II courses unless they are being used to satisfy the program’s elective requirements.

• Courses taken after all program requirements are completed are not eligible. Once a student’s graduation is reported to the VA, additional coursework cannot be certified

• Chapter 35 students in a certificate or diploma program CANNOT have online classes certified for VA purposes. If you are enrolling in online courses and you want them to be considered for calculating your monthly stipend, reach out to your academic advisor about pursing an Associate’s degree. Otherwise, you will need to ensure you only register for on-campus classes, if possible. Changing to an Associate’s degree may effect some other forms of financial aid you are receiving. If you have questions, please email fa.va@chattahoocheetech.edu.