Using Your Education Entitlements

Middlesex County College is approved by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, State Approving Agency under Title 38, U.S. Code, Section 1775 for veterans training. Questions concerning eligibility and certification may be directed to the Center for Veterans Services via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by calling 732-906-7770.

If you...

• would like to use the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

* For more information about VRAP entitlements please follow this link.

• contributed to the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30)

• utilize VEAP (Chapter 32)

• are a member of a reserve component (Chapter 1606 and 1607, or National Guard Tuition Waiver)

• have served on active duty since September 11, 2001 (Post 9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33)

• are eligible for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35)

• or have a compensation rating through the Department of Veterans Affairs and are eligible to receive Vocational Rehabilitation funding (Chapter 31)*...

                       * For more information about Chapter 31 entitlements please follow this link.

...and would like to use your entitlements at Middlesex County College, please review the following information:

*** Direct Deposit of your Veteran's Affairs education entitlements is available.

Please fill out and submit the form, located here, to the address specified on the form to enroll.

GI Bill 

You may be eligible for VA education entitlements under more than one program. If you elect to receive entitlements under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), you may have to revoke your eligibility for any other GI Bill programs. Under certain circumstances, eligibility for other GI Bill programs may be restored by going through VA's appeal process.

               
Which program is right for you?

That depends on your personal circumstances; it's up to you to get the information that you need in order to weigh your decision carefully.

There are some tools to help you compare:

• Check out the VA website, which has put together a comparison chart on the Post-9/11 GI Bill—which is also referred to as Chapter 33—and other programs such as the Montgomery GI Bill.

• Read up on the Post 9/11 GI Bill at newgibill.org. This informative site was put together by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and features a entitlements calculator and an FAQ.

• Call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) and speak to a entitlements counselor to get more information on programs, or visit the GI Bill website.

The Center for Veterans Services certifies the enrollment status of all students who apply for GI Bill entitlements.  For most students, in order to be certified for GI Bill entitlements, you must submit the following documents:

• A copy of your DD 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty." 

  • * Please make sure it is a copy that lists your character of discharge on the bottom (Member-4 or Service-2).
    

• A “Certificate of Eligibility." Depending on the chapter of the GI Bill that you are utilizing, this form will vary. Until you receive this form from VA, a printed copy of your completed online application through VONAPP, VA’s online application program, will be accepted. VONAPP is available at: http://gibill.va.gov/apply-for-entitlements/application/.

• The Middlesex County College "Veterans Certification Request Form" and "Veteran's Statement of Responsibility", available in the Center for Veterans Services (Edison Hall, Room 104). These forms must be completed and submitted each semester when you are requesting to have your entitlements certified.

To maintain eligibility for their entitlements at MCC, veterans must comply with the Standards of Progress established by the College in cooperation with the State Approving Agency.  These Standards include degree requirements, standards and regulations, and adherence to the College’s Code of Student Conduct.  Failure to observe these regulations will jeopardize receipt of entitlements.

Other Useful GI Bill related links

Education entitlements Forms

Education entitlements Pay Rates

 New Jersey National Guard

Tuition waivers are accepted for New Jersey National Guard students at all times. Students must:

• Submit a Commander’s Certificate of Eligibility (NJDMAVA Form 621-2-R) as proof of eligibility for participation in this program BEFORE every semester.
• Apply for Federal Financial Aid and submit a Middlesex County College Financial Aid Verification form signed by an authorized staff member of the Financial Aid Office.

For more detailed information on the New Jersey National Guard Tuition Waiver program stop by the Center for Veterans Services or follow this link: NJNG tuition waiver program Information.

Center for Veterans Services Bookstore Voucher Program

Click here to download the application form

The goal of The Center for Veterans Services in establishing this voucher program is to assist the student veterans, current servicemembers and eligable dependents who are in the most need of additional financial help while they study at Middlesex County College. We have set aside funding specifically for this purpose.

The Center for Veterans Services is pleased to announce the availability of funds to assist our student veterans with the purchase of books and course necessities. Eligible student veterans are encouraged to apply for a voucher in the Center for Veterans Services, Edison Hall room 104. The funding is first come, first served and limited to those student veterans who do not receive sufficient funding through the GI Bill or other military related education entitlements. Examples of potentially eligible student veterans and potentially ineligible student veterans are listed below. If you are unsure whether you are eligible for funds, please inquire to Dave Brimmer or Paul Lazaro in the Center for Veterans Services.

The following criteria are to be met in order to be considered for the award of funds through the Center for Veterans Services Bookstore Voucher Program:

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for funds you must:

• be currently using education entitlements at Middlesex County College earned through military service (your own or a family member), unless your eligibility period has expired.

Because of the variety of entitlements and entitlement eligibility rates, some student veterans may need to be given individual consideration during a meeting with the Coordinator of Veterans Services.

• be a resident student at Middlesex County College (not a visiting student).

• hold a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

• be attending Middlesex County College at least ¾ time.

• be interviewed by the Coordinator of Veterans Services.

• apply for the funds by the semester deadline.

Ineligibility criteria

You will be considered ineligible if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Unsatisfactory academic progress (according to college regulations).

• Currently receiving Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) entitlements.

• Indebted status with the College or The Department of Veterans Affairs.

Examples of eligible student veterans:

I am receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits, which includes a book stipend, at a 60% entitlement rate and I am not eligible for any other GI Bill, service branch tuition assistance or National Guard programs that entitle me to funds for books or supplies.

1. Why?: Although you may receive a book stipend with your GI Bill payments, it may not be enough to cover the cost of your books and/or supplies. Unless you have specific circumstances that would exclude you from our voucher program, you would be a good candidate for funds.

I am receiving Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) benefits, which does not include a book stipend, and I am not eligible for any other GI Bill, service branch tuition assistance or National Guard programs that entitle me to funds for books or supplies.

1. Why?: The entitlements you receive do not include a provision for books and supplies. Unless you have specific circumstances that would exclude you from our voucher program, you would be a good candidate for funds.

I am not eligible for any tuition assistance programs because my eligibility period has expired (in most cases this is 10-12 years since discharge).

1. Why?: You are the most logical candidate for funds. You are a veteran, with honorable service; but because of time restrictions imposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, you are no longer eligible to use your education entitlements. We’d like to help you succeed at MCC!

Examples of ineligible student veterans:

I am receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits, which includes a book stipend, at a 100% entitlement rate and I am not eligible for any other GI Bill, service branch tuition assistance or National Guard programs that entitle me to funds for books or supplies.

1. Why?: Your entitlements include specific provisions for purchasing books and supplies. You are entitled to the maximum amount of funding through your GI Bill benefits already. Unless you have specific circumstances that you feel may change your eligibility for inclusion in our voucher program, you would not be eligible for funds at that time.

I am receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits at a 40% entitlement rate, which includes a book stipend, and I am eligible for another GI Bill, service branch tuition assistance or National Guard program that entitles me to funds for books or supplies.

1. Why?: Even if you are not electing to use a secondary funding source that you are eligible for at this time, your eligibility for that program allows for more flexibility in your financial situation than some other veterans who may not be eligible for two or more funding sources. Unless you have specific circumstances that you feel may change your eligibility for inclusion in our voucher program, you would not be eligible for funds at that time.

I am using my Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) entitlements at Middlesex County College to pay for my coursework.

1. Why?: The Department of Veterans Affairs has set provisions in place for you to secure all the tools you need to succeed in your coursework through your bookstore voucher. If you need additional assistance or supplies, please visit the Center for Veterans Services or contact your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.