Veterans

How to Complete the Certification Request (Required each semester)

• Log in to myVPCC
• Click on the SIS tile or link
• Once in SIS, click on the tile for Student Records eForms
• On the left, click the tab for Military Benefit Certify eForm
• Fill out the information on the form to the best of your knowledge and click the blue Submit button at the bottom of the page when finished. If there are any issues with your form, an error message will pop up when you click Submit. You must correct all errors before the form is complete.

Note: If you would like to save your progress and come back later, you may click Save instead.

Reminders:

• If using Chapter 35, Chapter 30, or Chapter 1606 Benefits, you MUST have a payment method in place PRIOR to submitting the Certification Request. If the request is submitted prior to securing a payment method, the request will be DENIED.
• The request MUST be completed once ENROLLED for the term and whenever changing enrollment.
• Continue to monitor your SIS account and your student email for updates on the status.
• Once accepted, please allow 7-14 business days for processing by a School Certifying Official. If submitting AFTER the tuition and fee deadline, the processing time is up to 30 business days.

1. Apply for your VA Benefit at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/

a. Print the confirmation page

2. Apply to the College
3. Submit the following documents to admissions@vpcc.edu
   1. Proof of Virginia Residency to determine eligibility for in-state tuition rate (copy of orders placing you in Virginia, utility bill with your address, Certificate of Eligibility for VA Benefits with Virginia Address)
   2. Military Transcripts – order your JST- Official Joint Services Transcripts or CCAF –CCAF transcripts
   3. Request that your official transcripts be evaluated using the Request for Transfer Evaluation Form
4. Schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor and Determine Degree a. Have an electronic copy of official/unofficial transcript for review
   b. Log into myVPCC
   c. Click on the Navigate app
   d. Click the tab on the left for Appointments
   e. Follow the prompts to schedule an advising appointment with your academic advisor.
   f. VA students must take the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) to use VA Education Benefits for Developmental Math and English courses and those courses must be on-campus (residential)
5. Determine how Tuition and Fees will be covered
   1. Out of Pocket – How to pay
   2. Tuition Payment Plan
   3. VPCC Financial Aid
   4. VA Education Benefits covers tuition and fee charges for CH31 & CH33
6. Register for classes

a. Can be done online at any computer through SIS or NAVIGATE. How-To Videos.

7. Fill out Certification Request for VA Education Benefits and Veteran Services Policies & Student Responsibilities

1. Certification Request is completed online through SIS and must be completed upon enrolling each semester.
2. The Student Agreement form can be submitted to mvs@vpcc.edu

• Military Benefits E-Form is required to be submitted to Military & Veteran Services each semester in which a student would like to receive benefits.
• First-time students must also submit confirmation of VA Benefit application or Certificate of Eligibility.
• Students Using Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31) must have the VR&E Counselor submit authorization to the College each semester.
• If using Chapter 30, 1606, or 35 are required to have a valid method of payment for tuition and fees prior to submitting the Certification Request.

The following individuals shall be charged a rate of tuition not to exceed the in-state rate for tuition and fees purposes:

• A veteran using educational assistance under Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty Program) OR Chapter 33 (Post- 9/11 G.I. Bill) of title 38, United States Code – who lives in Virginia:
  • o Attending a college in Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Virginia:
  • Attending a college in Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone described above, while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person so described must have enrolled in the institution before the expiration of the three years following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 33, or Chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Virginia while:
  • Attending a college in Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service serving on active duty.
• A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Virginia while:
  • Attending a college in Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
• An individual using educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) who lives in Virginia while:
  • Attending a college in Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) effective for courses, semesters, or terms beginning after March 1, 2019.

Effective August 1, 2021, provision 1005 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315):

• Removes the requirement for covered individuals to enroll in a course at a public institution of higher learning within three years of being discharged to receive in-state tuition.

Effective August 1, 2022, Public Law 117-68, Title 38 USC 3679(c)(2)(A) adds Dependent Education Assistance (Chapter 35) recipients to the definition of covered individuals.

To be considered for In-State Tuition at Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) under the Veteran Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 with amendments as required under 38 USC 3679. the following documents/information will be required to be submitted:

• Veteran
  • DD214
  • Certificate of Eligibility for V.A. Education Benefit
  • Lease or utility bill for Virginia residency verification
• Spouse and Dependent
  • Certificate of Eligibility for V.A. Education Benefit
  • Lease or utility bill for Virginia residency verification

When applying for admission to VPCC, the above documents/information may be submitted to Enrollment Services at admissions@vpcc.edu to ensure review for in-state tuition & fee rates under the Choice Act.

Post 9-11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33

• Provides up to 36 months of education benefits, payable up to 15 years from release from active duty
• Eligibility is based on the length of active duty service after September 10, 2001
• This benefit pays tuition and fee charges directly to the college you choose to attend
• You will receive a stipend for books and supplies, up to $1000 per fiscal year (August 1 – July 31)
• If not on active duty, a monthly housing stipend will be paid to you based on your enrollment per semester
• Click here for more information regarding Chapter 33 Benefits

Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty – Chapter 30

• Provides up to 36 months of education benefits to Veterans and Service Members who have at least two years of active duty
• The benefit is paid to the student directly via a monthly stipend. The amount of the stipend depends on your college program of study and enrollment each semester or term
• This benefit does not pay the school directly; therefore, the student is responsible for having a method of payment to cover the cost of attendance.
  • Note: Students may be eligible for Advance Pay when using this benefit.
• Click here for more information regarding Chapter 30 Benefits

Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606

• Eligible members of the Selected Reserve may receive up to 36 months of education benefits
• The benefit is paid to the student directly via a monthly stipend. The amount of the stipend depends on your college program of study and enrollment each semester or term
• This benefit does not pay the school directly; therefore, the student is responsible for having a method of payment to cover the cost of attendance
  • Note: Students may be eligible for Advance Pay when using this benefit.
• Click here for more information regarding Chapter 1606 Benefits

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment – Chapter 31

Click here for more information regarding Chapter 31 Benefits

This benefit helps Veterans and Service members with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable careers

If approved to receive this benefit, tuition, and fees will be paid in full, and a voucher will be provided for books and supplies

The VA Work-Study Program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarters time or more. An individual working under this program may work at the school veterans’ office, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Facilities, or at approved State employment offices. Work-study students are paid at either the state or Federal minimum wage, whichever is greater.

The GI Bill® can also assist with the cost of certain tests fees needed for licensing, certifications, and national testing. For any test taken prior to August 1, 2018, if the VA paid you back for testing under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, the VA will charge at least a month of entitlement pay. For any test taken after August 1, 2018, the VA will prorate the entitlement charges under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test.

Tuition Assistance Top UP – Available to MGIB-AD

On October 30, 2000, the president signed into law an amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty education program that permits VA to pay a Tuition Assistance Top-Up benefit. The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course.

Tutorial Assistance Program is available if you are receiving VA educational assistance at half-time or more rates and have a deficiency in a subject making tutoring necessary. If you’re using the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB), you can get up to $600 before we charge your benefits. If you’re using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), we won’t charge your GI Bill® benefits.

VPCC is proud to offer the premier honor society for student veterans, SALUTE, which stands for Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute, and Excellence. This elite association is made possible by a generous grant from the American Council on Education/Wal-Mart Foundation. The first induction ceremony was held in April 2018, and the second will be held once we can be back on campus and in gatherings of more than 10.

We are committed to recognizing and encouraging the academic success of military students at Virginia Peninsula Community College. We are looking for eligible military students to be members of SALUTE at our college. To be eligible, a student must:

1. Have completed a minimum of 12 credits
2. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
3. Submit a DD-214 (student veteran) or Discharge from Active Duty or a copy of military orders
4. If submitting DD-214, must reflect the character of the service
5. Submit a $35 membership fee with the application form

The $35 membership fee goes toward the National SALUTE Scholarship Fund.  By being a member of SALUTE, students are eligible to apply and compete for national SALUTE scholarships. These national scholarships are designed to support student veterans who need supplementation of their GI Bill® funding or who do not have GI Bill® funding.

If you are interested in joining, please fill out the membership application below.

Once it is completed, return it to Military & Veteran Services at mvs@vpcc.edu. Once the applications are received and reviewed, you will receive an invitation to attend the induction ceremony and reception.  You will pay your individual membership directly to SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society.