South Puget Sound Community College

(not applicable for students under Chapter 31-Vocational Rehabilitation)

Eligible applicants may apply for advance pay between 60-120 days before the quarter begins. The advance pay will cover the first two calendar months of enrollment. This first check will be sent to the college’s Cashier’s Office and will not be released until the student has registered for classes. This advance check cannot be signed over to the college to pay tuition and fees. The check can only be released to the person who requested the Advance Pay. Power of Attorney is not applicable in this situation.

All checks other than the advance pay are sent directly to the student’s home address or deposited directly into the student’s account at their financial institution.

The VA requires 60 days to process initial applications. Once the application and certification of enrollment is approved by the VA, a Certificate of Eligibility will be mailed to the student explaining the benefits to be paid and the length of entitlement.

The Veterans Office promptly reports any changes in enrollment to the VA. These frequently impact benefit payments and can result in overpayment of benefits. Students who are changing degree programs and/or schools must contact the Veterans Office.

The Veterans Office assists students using the following benefits. Additional information on these VA-administered education benefits is available through www.gibill.va.gov, including pamphlets in .pdf format.

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) (Chapter 30)
The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) program provides up to 36 months of education benefits and may be used for degree programs at South Puget Sound Community College. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

$600 Buy-Up Program
Some service members may contribute up to an additional $600 to the GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600 contribution, you may receive up to $5400 in additional GI Bill benefits. The increased benefit is only payable after leaving active duty, and the additional contribution must be made while on active duty. For more information, contact your personnel or payroll office.

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (Chapter 1606)
The MGIB-SR 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 Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree programs at South Puget Sound Community College. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Additional criteria for eligibility are:

• Completed initial period of active duty for training
• Completed 180 days of service in Selected Reserve
• Must have a High School Diploma or GED
• Must not have previously completed a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Must be able to obtain a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from unit

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP ) (Chapter 1607) REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This new program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. This program is not eligible for Advance Pay.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. The benefit is available up to age 26 for children and must be collected within 10 years of date of eligibility if used by a spouse.

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) May be awarded to veterans who have at least 10% service-connected disability and are receiving a disability allowance. The VA will pay for tuition, fees, supplies or required tools. Veterans will also receive a subsistence allowance each month based upon enrollment status and number of dependents.

To receive an evaluation for VR & E services, a veteran must:

• Complete an application for Vocational Rehabilitation (VA Form 28-1900) and submit it to the VA Office in Seattle.
• Received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable
• Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%

The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E services may be used is 12 years from the latter of the following:

• Date of separation from active military service, or
• Date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating

After the application is reviewed the file is forwarded to a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). The VRC and the veteran will then jointly develop a plan to address the rehabilitation and employment needs of the veteran. The rehabilitation plan will specify an employment goal and determine how that goal is going to be achieved. The VRC and the veteran will work together to implement the plan and achieve successful rehabilitation. Quarterly meetings between the Veteran and the VRC will track the veteran’s success and provide an opportunity for ongoing evaluation and provision of other services or resources, should such services and resources be required.

Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance (TA) is available to National Guard Members and to Reservists. Eligibility is determined by the Guard and Reserve Units. Contact your unit to determine your eligibility and the process for requesting Tuition Assistance. Due to budgetary constraints, funding is not always available and should not be counted upon. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that tuition is paid.

Work Study Program
This program is available to students receiving VA Education Benefits who are attending school at three-quarter time or full time enrollment status (by VA standards). Under this program, a student may work part-time at any organization or agency that works with Veterans or Veterans related issues. Work-study students are paid at the greater of state or Federal minimum wage.

Tuition Waivers
Generally, the Washington state legislature allows the individual community and technical colleges to determine whether to make tuition waivers available to their students. The Board of Trustees of South Puget Sound Community College made the decision in the Spring of 1995 to discontinue the State Employee, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Tuition Waivers and has never made a provision for National Guard or other subsequent tuition waivers.

Dependent Military ID Card Renewal Dependents of Active Duty or Retired military personnel who are in school at the full-time rate (12+ credits) may contact the Veterans Office for a letter confirming the student’s enrollment as a full-time student. The student must request the letter and must be able to provide a Program of Study and an expected Date of Graduation. The ID Card Section of Ft Lewis will not provide an ID card if the student is enrolled at less than the full-time rate. The telephone number of the ID Card Section at Fort Lewis is (253)967-5065 or (253)967-7888.