TVCC Benefits for Veterans

Getting Started...

	To initiate Department of Veterans Affairs benefits at TVCC, you must first obtain and complete the required paperwork for the VA as well as for your TVCC file.
	All completed forms must be submitted to the TVCC Veterans Officer on the Athens campus. Allow 4-8 weeks for processing by the VA Regional Office in Muskogee, OK.
	You must apply and be admitted to TVCC.
	Request official transcripts from all prior post secondary institutions to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation.
	VA Forms Search (US Department of Veterans Affairs).
	Request Military Transcript.

Types of Veterans Benefits...

• Veterans (Chapter 30 or other)  

• Reservists (Chapters 1606 and 1607)                                    

• Dependents of 100% Disabled/Deceased Veteran (Chapter 35)

• VA Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)

• Hazlewood Exemption for Texas Veterans

Paying for Classes...

• TVCC does NOT participate in Advance Pay for VA students. You must pay tuition and fees at the time of registration for classes. VA pays directly to the student after enrollment certification.

• Payment options (including installment plan, Visa or MasterCard) are available through the Business Office.

• Financial Aid link (federal grants, loans and scholarships).

What do I do if my check doesn't arrive?

• Contact the TVCC VA Officer to ensure enrollment certification has been submitted.

• Call the VA Regional Office at 1-888-442-4551 (provide them with your VA File number) to determine status of payment.

Adds/Drops/Withdrawals/Change of Address...

• Report ANY change in enrollment status directly to the TVCC VA Officer.

• Notify VA Officer of any mitigating circumstances to avoid overpayments.

• All VA students will be held responsible for overpayments.

• Report all address changes to VA Officer and VA regional office to avoid delay in payments.

Repeating of Courses...

A repeated course may be certified to the VA only if::

• A minimum grade of "C" is required by a department as stated in the catalog.

• A course is failed. (NOTE: A course failed for a second time may create an overpayment)

• A course is taken during the final semester of graduation along with at least one required course.

The VA will not allow payment for courses for which the student has already received credit. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that there is no repetition of a course that has been previously completed and passed.

Official Transcripts...

• Request official transcripts from all prior post secondary institutions.

• Official transcripts must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation.

• Request military transcript (link).  

Break Pay...

Break pay is the continuation of monthly benefits between two consecutive semesters for which benefits are being used. When break pay is received, eligibility is also being used. Break pay does not apply to the entire summer. All students receiving benefits may be eligible for break pay if:

• Continuous attendance at the rate of 1/2-time or better is maintained

• The break between semesters is 30 days or less (i.e. Fall and Spring)

• Contact the TVCC veterans officer if you do NOT want to receive break pay

Unsatisfactory Progress...

• Student must meet the criteria for satisfactory progress as stated in the TVCC catalog (VA information on pages 19-20 of the 2006-07 Catalog)

• Student will be reported to the VA and placed on suspension after two consecutive semesters with less than 2.0 GPA

Once reported for unsatisfactory progress, the student’s benefits are terminated and cannot be resumed until the student attends and regains good academic standing at TVCC. The school’s VA certifying official will then report to the VA of the student’s renewed eligibility for VA education benefits. Contact the TVCC VA Officer for additional information. 

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All forms can be downloaded from the US Department of Veterans Affairs website:

VETERANS

First-Time Application / Never Used Benefits (Veterans)

• VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Education Benefits)

• DOWNLOAD FORMS or APPLY ONLINE www.gibill.va.gov

• DD Form 214 (Discharge from Active Duty)

• Completed TVCC Enrollment Certification Request Form

• Degree Plan from Academic Advisor
• Current Semester Class Schedule

Transfer Application / Benefits Used Previously

• VA Form 22-1995 required (Change of Program or Place of Training)

• DD Form 214 (Discharge from Active Duty)

• Completed TVCC Enrollment Certification Request Form (LINK)

• Degree Plan from Academic Advisor

• Current Semester Class Schedule

RESERVISTS

First-Time Application / Never Used Benefits (Reservists)

• VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Education Benefits)

• DOWNLOAD FORMS or APPLY ONLINE www.gibill.va.gov

• DD Form 214 (Discharge from Active Duty)

• Chapter 1606: Submit DD Form 2384 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from unit education officer

• Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Annotate “Chapter 1607” prominently on all correspondence and documents. Submit DD 214, copies of orders to active duty, and any other evidence of qualifying service. 

• Completed TVCC Enrollment Certification Request Form (LINK)

• Degree Plan from Academic Advisor

• Current Semester Class Schedule

Transfer Application / Benefits Used Previously

• VA Form 22-1995 required(Change of Program or Place of Training)

•  DD Form 214 (Discharge from Active Duty)

• Completed TVCC Enrollment Certification Request Form (LINK)

• Degree Plan from Academic Advisor

• Current Semester Class Schedule

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DEPENDENTS

First-Time Application / Never Used Benefits (Chapter 35)

• VA Form 22-5490 required (Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance)

• Download forms or Apply online: www.gibill.va.gov

• Marriage certificate (Spouse) or Birth certificate (Child of Veteran)

• Letter of Qualification from VA or DD Form 214 for the veteran of whom you are the dependent

• Completed TVCC Enrollment Certification Request Form (LINK)

• Degree Plan from Academic Advisor

• Current Semester Class Schedule

Transfer Application / Benefits Used Previously

• VA Form 22-5495 required (Change of Program or Place of Training)

• Certificate of Eligibility for Chapter 35 from VA

• Completed TVCC Enrollment Certification Request Form (LINK)

• Degree Plan from Academic Advisor

• Current Semester Class Schedule

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All forms can be downloaded from the US Department of Veterans Affairs website:

VA VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

First-Time Application (Chapter 31)

• VA Form 28-1900 link (Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation)

•  Download forms onine:  www.gibill.va.gov

• Contact your VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for approval. The VRC must submit authorization for attendance at TVCC before you will be certified for benefits.

• VA Form 28-1905 from your VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

• Request official transcripts from all prior secondary institutions to be evaluated by Registrar.

• DD Form 214 (Discharge from Active Duty)

• Completed TVCC Enrollment Certification Request Form (LINK)

• Degree Plan from Academic Advisor

• Current Semester Class Schedule

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HAZLEWOOD EXEMPTION

For Texas Veterans

Veterans who have exhausted their education benefits, or whose benefits have expired, may be eligible for the Hazlewood Exemption for Texas Veterans. The Hazlewood Act (Section 54.203, Texas Education Code) exempts Texas veterans from payment of tuition and certain fees at state-supported Texas institutions of higher education. The following requirements must be met:

• Must have been a U.S. citizen and a Texas resident at the time of entry into the armed forces;
• Must have received an honorable discharge, general discharge under honorable conditions, or honorable separation from service;
• Must have served 181 days of active duty, excluding active duty training;
• Must have exhausted all entitlement to other VA education benefits (Request letter from VA Office, Muskogee OK, Call 1-888-442-4551);
• Must have resided in Texas for at least 12 months immediately prior to term or semester of registration;
• Must not be in default on an education loan that was made or guaranteed by the U.S. federal government or the State of Texas;
• Must have attempted less than 150 credit hours using Hazlewood Exemption beginning with Fall 1995; and
• Must enroll in an eligible program of study.

This benefit may also apply to the children of deceased Texas veterans.

Students must complete the forms below to be considered for Hazlewood benefits:

  and 

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