Educational Benefits

What you will need to get started:

  • DD214 (Member 4 copy) or NOBE
  • Transcripts from all other colleges
  • Social Security number
  • Bank account direct deposit information
  • Education and military history
  • Basic information about the school or training facility you want to attend or are attending now
  • VA form 22-1990 – New applicants (Certificate of Eligibility) OR
  • VA form 22-1995 Change of program or place of training

Questions regarding your benefit eligibility? Call 1-800-827-1000 or 1-888-442-4551

 

Note: For students who are being DEPLOYED, please contact the Certifying Official, Helen Lozada at 860.773.1516, and forward a copy of deployment orders. A “Leave of Absence” without penalty will be processed.  Benefits Programs

Below you will find the Federal educational benefit programs available to veterans, dependents, and selective reservists:

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

The Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Act of 2008 program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits to those individuals who served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and correspondence courses.

Based on your length of active duty service, you’re entitled to a percentage of the following:

  • Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school);
  • Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to you) (https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/) ;
  • Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to you); and -A onetime payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.*Note: The housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty. The housing allowance is not payable to those pursuing training at half time or less or to individuals enrolled in distance learning. Individuals are limited to a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more programs (i.e. 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607). Individuals eligible under chapter 30 who elect to receive benefits under chapter 33 are only entitled to the number of months they had remaining under chapter 30 (including any revoked months of transferred entitlement) up to a maximum of 36 months).

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution.

The Yellow Ribbon Program payment is paid directly to the school on behalf of the student when the enrollment certification is processed.

*Note: Please remember that you must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% rate to be considered for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Please note: Informational only – Tunxis is NOT a Yellow Ribbon School.

Montgomery GI Bill

This program has four eligibility categories. The benefits generally apply to Veterans who began active duty service for the first time after June 30, 1985, had their pay reduced $100 a month for 12 months, and received an honorable discharge. These benefits are paid monthly directly to the Veteran. *Note: Veteran is responsible for paying the school directly.  Active Duty (Ch 30)

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved. Your benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. Selected Reserve (Ch 1606)

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

REAP (Chapter 1607 of title 10, U.S. Code) is a new education program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and National Guard, who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.
Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

Dependents’ Educational Assistance  provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.

CT State Veterans Tuition Waiver

Requirements:

1) 90 days active duty (active duty for training not applicable). Please see dates below for specified times.
2) Honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
3) Copy of Member-4 of DD-214 (with required dates of service).
4) Be a matriculated student (officially accepted to the University through the Office of Recruitment and Admissions). *Note: Eligibility ceases upon withdrawal, dismissal, and/or graduation.
Veterans who initially qualify for the in-state CT tuition waiver at the time of admission may opt to attend either full time or part time. The tuition portion of the tuition and fees bill is waived for full-time students; other applicable fees must be paid each semester. One-half of the per credit courses fees is waived for part time students to include summer, winter and intersession courses as provided for in a CSU Board of Trustees resolution. The registration fee and other applicable fees must be paid each registration period.

  • Out-of-state students who are eligible for the waiver qualify only when in full- time attendance (no part-time, summer, winter or intersession eligibility).
  •  Responsibility for payment of other charges such as student fees, course fees, room and board, and books remains with the student. Arrangements for payment of those balances should be addressed with the Office of Bursar (full-time students)
    *Note: Tuition Waivers are granted only to those veterans who served “on active duty” and not those who served “on active duty for training.”

Army & Air National Guard Tuition Waiver

The Army & Air National Guard Tuition Waiver is granted to part-time and full-time graduate and undergraduate students who are members of the Connecticut National Guard and attending the Connecticut State University System. The National Guard Tuition Waiver request forms and paperwork are available through your unit. Eligible students must apply through their unit each semester. Out-of-state students who enroll in the Connecticut National Guard also receive this waiver.

  • The National Guard tuition waivers are sent directly from the National Guard to the schools Veterans Affairs Office.
  • You cannot receive National Guard Chapter 1606 Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits if you are not actively serving in a Guard unit.  *Note: No fees are waived.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program

Chapter 32, VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Vocational Rehabilitation (Ch 31)

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. The mission of VR&E is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. Also, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service provides vocational-educational counseling to veterans and certain dependents. VR&E can provide a wide range of vocational and educational counseling services to service members still on active duty, as well as veterans and dependents who are eligible for one of VA’s educational benefit programs.

*Note: Please be sure to notify the Tunxis Certifying Official of any changes, with regards to your name, address, or telephone number. (Changes submitted to the VA Regional Office will NOT update Tunxis VA files).

VA Work Study Program

If you’re a full-time or 3/4-time student in a college degree program, or a vocational or professional program, you can “earn while you learn” with a VA work-study allowance. The VA work-study allowance is available to students studying under the following programs: Chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607. You’ll earn an hourly wage equal to the Federal minimum wage or your State minimum wage, whichever is greater.

Services you perform under a VA work-study program must be related to VA work. Examples of acceptable work are: processing VA paperwork at schools or VA offices, performing outreach services under the supervision of a VA employee, and/or performing services at VA medical facilities or the offices of the National Cemetery Administration. The work you do will depend on your interests and the type of work available.

*For forms and information, contact your schools certifying official

OTHER RESOURCES

CT ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Education Services :(860)524-4820

VA REGIONAL OFFICE:1-800-827-1000

SUICIDE HOTLINE: 1-800-273-8255

VA Hospital Newington

555 Willard Avenue
Newington, CT 06111
Phone: 860-666-6951

https://www.connecticut.va.gov/

VA Hospital West Haven

950 Campbell Avenue
West Haven, CT 06516
203-932-5711

How to Obtain Your DD-214
http://vetrecs.archives.gov/

National Archives
http://vetrecs.archives.gov/

National Center for PTSD
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

Military Friendly Online Colleges and Universities
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/online-universities-and-colleges/military/