Veteran's Affairs

VA benefits may be used for state-approved degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

To apply for VA benefits online and for complete information go to the G.I. Bill website www.gibill.va.gov.

You may qualify for VA benefits if you fit into one of these categories:

Chapter 30: Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty
            For active duty, prior active duty, and regular reserves (two years active duty, three years active duty, or two years active duty plus four years reserves). You must have a signed contract and have contributed into the Montgomery GI Bill upon entry into the specified branch of service or its reserve component (U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard).
            Higher monthly benefits are paid to Ch. 30 participants with “Kickers” and to participants who make additional payments. You must present a copy of your Kicker contract to the VA Certifying Official upon registration.

Chapter 31: VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
            Veterans with a service-connected disability must be found both eligible and entitled by the VR&E to receive this service. You will be notified by the Department of Veteran Affairs if you meet their qualifications. For further information, go to www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/.

Chapter 35: Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)
            This educational benefit is for dependents of deceased or permanently and totally disabled veterans resulting from military service. Go to www.gibill.va.gov/training/pamphlets.htm for eligibility rules.

Chapter 1606: Montgomery G.I. Bill – Selective Reserve
            Available for members of the Selected Reserve; Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Initial active duty for training must be complete and you must be an active reservist with a six year obligation.
            A Kicker may be added to the benefit of some Ch. 1606 students. You must present a copy of your Kicker contract to the VA Certifying Official upon registration.

Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
            Selective Reserve members may be eligible for Ch. 1607 after serving 90 consecutive days on active duty for a contingency operation declared by the President or Congress. This benefit pays a percentage of the Ch. 30 three-year+ rate based on the number of continuous service days on active duty. To see the specific rates, go to http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm.

Important information

            Transferring veterans must meet with the VA Certifying Official and complete a transfer request; VA form 22-1995 for Ch. 30 and 1606/1607 or form 22-5495 for Ch. 35. These forms are also available on the GI Bill website. Ch. 31 students will make the change with their VA counselor prior to enrollment.

            Cross-enrolled veterans must have a Parent Letter sent to the VA Certifying Official from their parent institution in order to receive benefits from Delta.

            Those who are receiving the G.I. Bill benefit under Chapters 30, 1606, and 1067 must continuously verify their enrollment status with the VA. On the last day of each month, students must call 1-877-823-2378 and report their attendance and the number of hours enrolled, or go to https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/ to do so online. This must be done before the VA will issue or deposit any checks.

            Each veteran should meet with the VA Certifying Official at the time of application to the College to submit the necessary documentation for certification and to review any additional information that may be pertinent to the students’ continued receipt of benefits.

Enrollment Verification Form

New Scholarship for Veterans

The Fund for Veterans Education has established a scholarship for veterans of any branch of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines), Coast Guard, National Guard and Armed Forces Reserves who served in Afghanistan or Iraq since September 11, 2001 and who are now enrolled in college or vocational-technical school. For more information, go to: http://www.veteransfund.org/.

Are you waiting for your VA Education Benefits?

The Department of Veterans Affairs has made funds available for Veteran students who are still awaiting their education benefit claim to be processed. Eligible veterans can receive up to a $3000 advance, which will be recouped from future benefit payments. If you are a student who applied for one of VA’s education programs and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment for the Fall 2009 term, you can request a one-time advance payment at your local VA Regional Office or through VA’s website, www.va.gov.

Feel free to contact the VA Certifying Official, Gwenn Hall, at 318-342-3742 or email for any assistance.

Useful links for help and additional information:

G.I. Bill Website
Pamphlets, brochures, and information sheets relating to the GI Bill
Current Benefit Payment Rates
WAVE – On-line Certification and Benefits Tracking
VA-Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E)
Downloadable VA forms