Financial Aid

Veterans information

In addition to the traditional forms of financial aid, students who are military veterans may be eligible for additional financial assistance for their educational expenses. Ms. Susan Sprague, the veteran's representative at Jefferson Community College, is available to assist you in the application and payment process. Special forms are required for Veteran's Benefit Programs, please contact Financial Aid for a complete packet.

• If you have never before activated your VA educational benefits, complete VA form 22-1990 - Application for VA Benefits. If you are no longer on active duty, please submit member copy 4 of your DD-214 with the application.


• If you are on active duty, the Education Services Officer on base must sign the form. Active duty soldiers may also use Tuition Assistance. Ask your Education Officer about this benefit.


• Complete the JCC Application for Enrollment Certification form contained in your packet. Return the two completed applications to the financial aid office at Jefferson.


• The JCC Veteran's representative will review your application and forward it to the regional office in Buffalo. You will then be notified in writing of your period of eligibility and your monthly rate by the regional office. This process takes about 4-6 weeks.


• Please contact us by phone at (315)786-2355 (toll free (888)435-6522, ask for Financial Aid) to schedule an appointment or discuss your benefits. Additionally, questions about your benefits can be answered by the VA toll free number at: 1-888-442-4551.

Federal Programs

Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 30

The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty program provides you up to 36 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 1606

The Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corp Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. You may use this educational assistance program for degree and certificate programs.

Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your benefit entitlement ends 10 years from the date of your eligibility for the program or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

Vocational Rehabilitation Chapter 31

The Vocational Rehabilitation program provides services and assistance necessary for service-connected disabled veterans to achieve independence and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. Vocational Rehabilitation services include, in part, assessment, counseling, training, subsistence allowance, and employment assistance. VA also will assist you in job placement. While you are enrolled in a Vocational Rehabilitation program, VA pays the cost of tuition, fees, required books, supplies, and equipment.

If you are eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, you may receive up to 4 years of rehabilitation services. Generally, you must complete a rehabilitation program within 12 years from the date VA notifies you of your entitlement to compensation benefits.

Survivors' and Dependents Educational Assistance Program Chapter 35

This program provides financial aid for the education of dependent sons, daughters, and spouses of:

• Veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.


• Veterans who died from any causes while such service-connected disabilty was in existence.


• Servicepersons missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.


• Servicepersons forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.

If you are eligible for Chapter 35 Benefits you may be entitled to receive up to 45 months of education benefits. Generally speaking, for a son or daughter to receive benefits for attending school, the student must be between the ages of 18 and 26. Marriage of a child does not prohibit this benefit. A young person eligible for training may not enroll while in the Armed Forces. For a spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran.

For further information and eligibility requirements for the above programs, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-827-1000 or visit their web site at www.gibill.va.gov. If you are activating your veteran benefits for the first time, contact the Financial Aid Office for a Veteran's packet.

State Programs

NYS National Guard Educational Incentive Program

This program provides up to $4,350 of tuition assistance to members of the NYS National Guard or Naval Militia who are in good military and academic standing. To be eligible, Guard members must:

1. be a legal resident of New York State


2. have successfully completed Initial Active Duty training, Naval enlisted Code, or Commissioning Program


3. be pursuing their first Baccalaureate Degree


4. be enrolled in a degree program for at least 6 credit hours at a Board of Regents accredited college or university in New York State


5. apply for all available tuition assistance and grants (i.e. Federal Pell Grant & NYS TAP).

For more information, call the NYS National Guard at (800)356-0552 or (518)786-4681, or visit their web site at www.dmna.state.ny.us.

Persian Gulf Veterans Tuition Award Supplement (PGVTA)

This program provides financial assistance to eligible veterans matriculated in undergraduate and graduate degree programs on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students can be awarded up to $1,000 per semester for full-time study and up to $500 per semester for part-time study. To be eligible for this program, the veteran must:

1. be a legal resident of New York State


2. have served in the armed forces of the United States in the hostilities that occurred in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990 to the end of such hostilities by receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal


3. have been discharged from the service under other than dishonorable conditions


4. apply for a Federal Pell Grant and NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award (part-time students do not need to apply for a TAP award).

For additional information, contact Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) at (888)NYS-HESC or visit the HESC web site at www.hesc.com/bulletin.nsf/0/953C8472A094714F85256DB0006D6080.

Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards (VVTA)

This program provides financial assistance to eligible veterans matriculated in undergraduate and graduate degree programs on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students can be awarded up to $1,000 per semester for full-time study and up to $500 per semester for part-time study. To be eligible for this program, the veteran must:

1. be a legal resident of New York State


2. have served in the armed forces of the United States in Indochina between December 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975


3. have been discharged from the service under other than dishonorable conditions


4. apply for a Federal Pell Grant and NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award (Part-time students do not need to apply for a TAP award).

For additional information call HESC at (888)NYS-HESC or visit the HESC web site at www.hesc.com/bulletin.nsf/0/953C8472A094714F85256DB0006D6080.

Veteran's Information - Important Links

Many online references are available to assist veterans in locating benefits information. Additionally, questions about your federal educational benefits can be answered by the VA toll free number at: (888)442-4551.

https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/default.cfm
This is the WAVE website log-in for Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606 MGIB veterans to verify their monthly enrollment with their Regional Processing Office (RPO). They can also request Direct Deposit or change their address via WAVE.

http://www.va.gov/
This sites provides information for:

1. Health Benefits and Services


2. Compensation and Pension Benefits


3. Home Loan Guaranty Services


4. Education Benefits


5. Burial and Memorial Benefits


6. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services


7. Life Insurance Programs


8. Appeals: Board of Veterans Appeals

Plus links to special services such as:

1. Accessibility


2. Homeless Veterans


3. Military Services


4. Minority Veterans


5. Women Veterans

And other sites for frequently asked questions.

https://aartstranscript.army.mil/
This is the online request site for AARTS (Army) transcripts.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts/transc.htm
This is a site with the information for Air Force Veterans to request their CCAF transcripts.

https://smart.cnet.navy.mil/
This is the site with the information for Navy Veterans to request their SMART transcript.

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/24-0296.pdf
This is the site for the Direct Deposit Enrollment form to have VA compensation, chapter 30 education benefits, pension, or insurance checks directly deposited into a savings or checking account.

http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/Links.htm#Military
This is a link to many military, government and education websites.

http://www.military.com/Page/0,12170,1-OO-0,00.htm
This is a news and information center for military.

1. Pay & Benefits


2. Career Transition
1. Translate military skills


2. Find the right industry


3. Create perfect resume


4. Get interview tips


5. Civilian salary charts


6. Search job postings


3. Education Information
1. GI Bill


2. Find Scholarship Money


3. Find Tuition Discounts for Veterans


4. Learn which schools accept military credit


4. VA Loan Guide
1. Credit & Debit Guide


5. Space A & Discount Travel


6. Personnel Locator


7. Discounted Military Gear


8. Daily Military News

http://www.navpa.org/
Link to NAVPA site with updates to ongoing veterans legislative issues.

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