Veteran Services

The State Approving Agency approves Southeastern Community College for students who are eligible under the Veterans Education and Assistance Act. Students eligible for veterans’ benefits should follow the procedures outlined below.

1. Select a program and apply for admissions to the College. All admissions requirements must be completed before application for veterans’ benefits can be processed. This includes the submission and evaluation of all transcripts for prior training.
2. Notify Veteran Services of intent to apply for veterans benefits. Application for veteran benefits can be submitted online at www.gibill.va.gov. The following documents are required:
   1. VA Form 22-1990, Application for Benefits for new applications or VA Form 22-1995 for veterans with prior training.
   2. A copy of the DD-214 (Report of Separation form Service) or veterans’ certification number if a veteran has had prior training.
3. Contact Veteran Services after registration has been completed to ensure that all DVA documents and enrollment data are correct.
4. Request your military transcript at https://jst.doded.mil.

Disabled veterans attending under Vocational Rehabilitation must have the approval of a counselor at the USVA before payment of benefits may be authorized. Members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard are eligible under Chapter 1606 or 1607 (New GI Bill) to receive benefits while attending Southeastern Community College. Contact Veteran Services for details.

Related Links

Listed below are other resources for those wanting information about their VA benefits.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Education Service – Educational Benefits
• House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – News and legislation concerning veterans benefits
• The Thomas Pages – Congressional information, including a search engine for the texts of bills
• GI Bill Express.com – Educational website that provides information on scholarships, Federal and State benefits, and participating schools
• North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs – Contact information
• Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System – ACE program specifically for the U.S. Army.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible for military tuition assistance?

Contact the VA by phone at 1-888-GIBILL1, or visit the Education Service website. To receive veterans’ education benefits, you must be admitted as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student and adhere to the same tuition policies as other students. Benefit payments are sent directly to the veteran on a monthly basis and no advance payments are available.

What benefits are available?

• The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30): Active Duty Educational Assistance Program, generally for individuals who entered active duty after June 30, 1985 and served continuously for three years or by serving two years on active duty followed by four years of Selected Reserve. To be eligible, veterans must have contributed $1,200 during their first year of military service. Veterans or service personnel cannot withdraw money paid into the fund.
• The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 1606): Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program, for members of the Reserve elements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and the Air National Guard. To be eligible, reservist must have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. No contribution is required.
• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35): Educational assistance available to spouses and children of veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-related disability.
• Disabled Veterans Assistance (Chapter 31): Vocational Rehabilitation for service-connected disability of 20 percent or greater. Benefit provides a monthly stipend and covers the cost of tuition, books and supplies. Eligibility is determined on an individual case basis.
• Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP Chapter 32): For individuals who entered active duty service between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and served a continuous period of 181 days or more plus contributed toward the education program.
• Vietnam Era GI Bill (Chapter 34): For individuals who entered active duty prior to December 31, 1976 and served a minimum of 181 days active duty after January 31, 1955. Benefits must have been used by January 1, 1990.

Where do I start?

If you are eligible for VA benefits, contact Veterans Services for the appropriate VA application form that is necessary to activate your benefits: What documentation must accompany my application?

• For veterans: Certified copy of DD214 (discharge papers)
• For dependents: Certificate of Eligibility
• For reservists: Copy of NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility)

What happens next?

The VA representative submits the original application and accompanying documentation to the Atlanta Regional Processing Center. Due to the volume of claims the ARPO processes, it can take up to 12 weeks to receive correspondence or a payment. Please be patient and do not inquire about your initial claim until at least 60 working days have passed. You may also access the Veteran’s Affairs Education Inquiry website.

How do I keep receiving these payments?

Renewal is not automatic. You must contact Veteran Services once you register for the following term to re-activate your benefits and prevent a lapse in payment. Without a new enrollment form, your payments will stop. You must notify this office if you change your major, withdraw, or drop hours below the amount certified to the VA. Chapter 30 and 1606 veterans must verify their own monthly attendance to receive each check. Please choose one of these two ways to accomplish this:

• Sign and return the Student Verification Form (22-8979) mailed to you, or
• Dial the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at 1.877.823.2378, or visit the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment Web site.

What if I used some of my benefits at another institution?

If you have remaining entitlement, contact Veteran Services for the appropriate VA application form necessary to re-activate your benefits.

Are there VA Work-Study Jobs?

Yes, students who are enrolled 3/4 time or more and training under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 35 and 1606 may be eligible for employment on a part-time basis. The non-taxable hourly rate is the prevailing federal or state minimum wage. Local Equal Employment Opportunity Offices and area Veterans Hospitals periodically hire VA Work-Study students.

Contacts