Veteran Benefits Overview

Download as PDF

Veteran students and/or their dependents may qualify for VA educational benefits. The Financial Aid Office is the certifying authority for veterans, service members, and their dependents. The Financial Aid Office serves as a link between the Regional Veterans Affairs Office and the VA benefit recipient. Veterans or their dependents seeking assistance under the various Federal and State programs, should if possible, make initial application for such programs at least four weeks prior to enrollment. Application forms are required for all veteran programs. The Financial Aid Office will assist the student in completing the appropriate forms. Since most federal VA programs make monthly payments directly to veterans or dependents after enrollment, the veteran or student must be prepared to pay tuition and fees and meet all other payment deadlines before receiving the initial monthly allowance.

To use VA educational benefits at CACC, students should complete the electronic VA Benefit Request for Certification Form, indicating the specific benefit(s) they intend to use for the appropriate academic year and term/semester, as applicable. This form should be submitted each semester the student wishes to use VA benefits before the CACC School Certifying Official (SCO) can certify enrollment with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The form is available online at cacc.edu under Financial Aid Forms on the Financial Aid webpage.

Alabama GI Dependents Scholarship Program

The Alabama GI Dependents’ Scholarship Program (ALGI) is administered by the Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs. Education benefits may include tuition, instructional fees (technology and reserve), and required textbooks. Developmental coursework, other ineligible coursework, technology fees, special building fees, ACCS fees, and other fees (as deemed ineligible) are not funded under the Alabama GI Dependents’ Scholarship Program. A student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov with CACC’s School Code, 001007, and meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. ALGI funding can only be used after all other available financial aid resources have been applied.

For more information and application procedures, contact the nearest Veterans Affairs Office located in each Alabama county courthouse or online at https://va.alabama.gov/ 

Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP)

ANGEAP is designed to provide financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members. Limited funding is provided by the Alabama Legislature and priority is given to those who apply early. ANGEAP applications and additional information regarding this program are available from the National Guard benefits administrator at the National Guard Unit and on the Alabama Commission on Higher Education website, https://ache.edu 

College Financing Plan

Central Alabama Community College has agreed to comply with the principles of Executive Order 13607, Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members (E.O. 13607), of their commitment to use the College Financing Plan to provide each of their prospective veteran and service member students with a personalized form that contains standardized information describing the cost of the educational program and the amount of that cost that may be covered by available Federal educational benefits and financial aid. Please log into your MyCACC to view a personalized College Financing Plan or contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

Montgomery GI Bill® -- Active Duty (MGIB)

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. This benefit may be used at CACC for VA approved degree and certificate programs. Benefits may be payable for up to 10 years following your release from active duty. This benefit does not pay for any tuition or fees. The student receives a monthly allowance based on the number of enrolled eligible credit hours per semester. Students will need to pay their account balance prior to the published payment deadlines. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30. Application is made by completing VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits, online at https://va.gov/education/ 

Montgomery GI Bill® -- Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

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, Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used at CACC for VA approved degree and certificate programs. Although this benefit does not cover tuition or fees, students receive a monthly allowance based on the number of eligible credit hours they are enrolled in each semester. Students will need to pay their account balance prior to the published payment deadlines. This program is also commonly referred to as Chapter 1606. Application is made by completing VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits, online at https://va.gov/education/ 

Non-Resident Veterans Eligible for In-State Tuition Rates

In accordance with Section 702 of the Choice Act, out-of-state students receiving Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 VA benefits may be eligible for the in-state tuition rate. In addition, beginning August 1, 2022, Public Law 117-68 Title 38 USC 3679(c)(2)(A) added out-of-state students receiving Chapter 35 benefits to the definition of covered individuals who may be eligible for the in-state tuition rate.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill®

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, may be used at CACC for VA approved degree and certificate programs, and pays a portion (up to 100%) of in-state tuition and fees directly to the College. The student receives a monthly allowance based on the number of enrolled eligible credit hours per semester. This program is also commonly referred to as Chapter 33. Application is made by completing VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits, online at https://va.gov/education/ 

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

The REAP program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and National Guard, who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency. This benefit can be used at CACC for VA approved degree and certificate programs. Although it does not cover tuition or fees, students receive a monthly allowance based on the number of eligible credit hours they are enrolled in each semester. Students will need to pay their account balance prior to the published CACC payment deadlines. This program is also commonly referred to as Chapter 1607. Application is made by completing VA Form 22-1990 (https://va/gov/education/); however, veterans who have not enrolled in school and applied for REAP benefits prior to November 2015 are no longer eligible for REAP benefits, but may be eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill®.

Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

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. This benefit can be used at CACC for VA approved degree and certificate programs. Although it does not cover tuition or fees, students receive a monthly allowance based on the number of eligible credit hours they are enrolled in each semester. Students will need to pay their account balances prior to the published payment deadlines. This program is commonly referred to as Chapter 35. Application is made by completing VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance, online at https://va.gov/education/ 

Tuition Assistance (TA)

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense (DOD) program for eligible civilians, Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve soldiers. TA must be requested on a course by course basis and each course must be part of an approved degree program. Each branch of the military has its guidelines and website with information on how to apply and what benefits are available. In all cases, courses must be approved for payment by the Education Services Officer (ESO) at their assigned base. The information listed below is subject to change based on each branch of service policy and guidelines. Students should notify the CACC Financial Aid Office if requesting to use TA benefits. Additional information is found on each branch of service website.

Veterans Readiness & Employment

Veterans Readiness & Employment Programs help veterans with service connected disabilities to achieve employment and independence. This benefit pays for in-state tuition and fees directly related to college. The benefit also provides students with books and a monthly housing allowance based on the number of enrolled eligible credit hours per semester. Student MUST opt out of the First-Day Complete Book Program and contact the Financial Aid Office for information on using their book benefit. This program is also commonly referred to as Chapter 31. Application is made by completing VA Form 28-1900 online at https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/ 

The GI Bill® Hotline (Federal Benefits Only) can be contacted by calling (888) 442-2551.

NOTE: GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. Government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill 

The full estimated Cost of Attendance is available at https://www.cacc.edu/admissions-and-aid/cost-of-attendance.

Veteran Benefits