FAQ's Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How long will it take from the time I apply to start receiving my checks?
Answer: Normally, your checks will start arriving anywhere from 8-10 weeks after the semester starts. Sometimes this period is lengthened as a function of how much processing volume exists in the Buffalo regional VA office. We have experienced, on a few occasions, up to a three-month wait for the first checks to arrive.
Question: How can I pay for my tuition and fees if my payments do not start as soon as I start school?
Answer: MCC Veteran Services can defer part or all of your tuition and fee payments for up to three months of the semester. To calculate how much can be deferred, multiply your monthly VA entitlement by the number of months in the semester. For example, if you are a full time student receiving Chapter 30 benefits, we can defer $800 per/month x 4 months or $3200. In this scenario, the entire bill would be deferred. A student receiving full-time 1606 benefits, however, would only be able to defer $272 per/month x 4 months or $1088. In this scenario, the student would have to pay the excess (amount of the bill that exceeded $1088) up front or make other arrangements with the financial aid office.
Question: MCC says I am a full-time student taking 12 credits, however for part of the semester VA only paid for ¾ time status. Is this possible?
Answer: Yes, under certain circumstances this situation exists. The basis for VA reimbursement is attendance dates. When part of the 12-credit load constitutes a special term (i.e. course length is less than the entire 15 week term) VA will only pay for the status that equates to the amount of credits taken at any given time. Thus, if part of the 12 credit load is a one credit course taken the last month of the term, VA will reimburse the student on a ¾ time status while taking 11 credits and on a full-time status while taking 12 credits.
Question: I withdrew from my courses last semester and continued receiving my VA benefits throughout the term. Will this affect future benefits?
Answer: Yes-VA may allow a one-time drop of up to six credits without a penalty (recollection of funds). Under normal circumstances, however, if an overpayment situation exists, VA will collect this money back out of future VA payments. If the student decides not to return to school, then VA will normally start legal collection proceedings against the student, which will ultimately affect the student's credit rating.
Question: Are there any academic standards that I must maintain to keep my VA educational benefits?
Answer: Yes - you must maintain a "C" average or a Grade Point Average of 2.0 out of 4.0. The Veteran Services Office at MCC reviews academic transcripts at the end of every semester. Those students who consistently perform below the established standards of success must be reported to the VA Regional Office in Buffalo. The Veterans Administration is the final determining authority for suspension or revocation of benefits.
Question: Will my VA education benefits cover tutoring.
Answer: In general, VA will cover tutoring costs under certain conditions. Generally the student must prove that they are either deficient and/or not meeting program standards to be considered for tutoring reimbursement. VA will reimburse up to $100 per month for six months, without entitlement being affected. If tutoring is required beyond this dollar amount, then these costs will be deducted from your VA entitlement, thus shortening the period of which you are eligible to receive benefits.
Question: I served a three year enlistment and left the service with a general discharge under honorable conditions and contributed my $1200 to the GI Bill during my service. Am I eligible for Veterans Education benefits?
Answer: You are only eligible for VA educational benefits if you received an honorable discharge.
Question: Will VA pay benefits for any program I want to take at MCC?
Answer: Most programs at MCC are supported with VA benefits. The Veterans Services office maintains a list of all programs covered by benefits. If you want to be certain that the program you are applying for is covered, contact the Veterans Services desk at MCC.
Question: Is there any way that I can qualify for more than three years of VA educational benefits?
Answer: The standard award period for most benefit categories is three years of full-time benefits (Chapter 35 recipients can receive up to 45 months of benefits and five additional months for remedial/refresher training). Students receiving benefits, even though possibly qualified under more than one chapter, may only receive benefits under one category at a time. It is possible however, to have benefits extended for an additional year, if qualified under more than one chapter. Example: Joe Smith served a four-year term in the Army, got out, then enlisted in the NY National Guard for six years. Joe would be entitled to benefits under both Chapter 30 for his active service and under chapter 1606 for his National Guard service. In this scenario he would receive Chapter 30 benefits until they are exhausted (because the award is higher) then would receive full-time Chapter 1606 benefits for an additional year.
Question: What is a "kicker"?
Answer: A kicker is a supplement paid to certain VA educational benefit recipients that is awarded because the unit is a "high priority unit". Kickers generally range from $100 to several hundred dollars in extra benefits per month. If you are receiving benefits under Chapter 1606 (Reserve Component), be certain to inform the Veterans Services office if you are to receive a kicker. In certain cases, Chapter 30 recipients may also be receiving kickers if they are serving in reserve component units subsequent to their active duty service. In either case we will ask you to bring in a copy of your kicker contract to ensure that it is processed efficiently and without delay!!
Question: How do I sign up for the National Guard Tuition Assistance program?
Answer: The Tuition Assistance program is funded and administered by the State of New York. Questions regarding this program should be addressed through your National Guard unit, if applicable.
Question: I've heard that I can receive some college credit for some of the work I did in the military. How does this work?
Answer: When you apply for your veterans education benefits, we will do an evaluation of your DD214 and any other military educational records that you want us to evaluate. Once we complete our evaluation, we will forward a copy to the registrar's office, where any credits you were awarded will be posted to your academic transcript. Most students will get a least two physical education credits for completing basic training. Other credits received normally are counted as general elective credit and can substitute for general elective requirements of your respective programs. The decision to award military credit for required program courses rrests with the respective department chairpersons.
Question: I am still on active duty and want to use my Montgomery GI Bill or tuition assistance. How do I go about doing this and what is "top-up"
Answer: Please refer back to the Chapter 30 link on the web page. There is a good explanation of the differences between the tuition assistance program and the Montgomery GI Bill. "Top Up" is a relatively new program that will supplement tuition assistance to pay up to the entire cost of tuition for servicemen and women on active duty who desire to attend college. Top Up (known as TAT) actually pays the difference between the full cost and what tuition assistance will pay. TAT is available only to persons eligible for chapter 30. Although Reserve and National Guard components also offer tuition assistance, there is no top-up provision for chapter 1606 recipients. A person who is eligible to receive chapter 30 who is receiving tuition assistance from a reserve or guard component, is eligible for TAT. Only federal tuition assistance paid by nation guard components qualifies for TAT. Top up is paid directly to the claimant and is made in one lump sum payment. The amount of the top-up payment is subject to the same limits that apply to chapter 30 monthly benefits. Therefore a person who receives tuition assistance for a course or courses that would be payable at the half-time rate for chapter 30, could receive TAT payment equal to the cost of the course not covered by tuition assistance up to the amount payable for half-time rate for the period of the course. For more information about Top Up or any other chapter requirements, you can also call the VA, toll free, at 1-888-442-4551 or 1-800-827-1000.
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