STEP 1: APPLY FOR BENEFITS · Visit www.va.gov/education. If eligible, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) up to 30 days after applying for benefits.
STEP 2: COMPLETE ADMISSIONS AND ENROLL
· Apply for admissions in an eligible degree program.
· Meet with an Academic Advisor to determine what courses are required to complete your degree. (All courses must be applicable to your degree program in order to be certified.)
STEP 3: SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS · Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) via email to militarybenefits@eccc.edu.
· Submit the Veteran Certification Form on myEC. This form must be submitted each semester you wish to use your VA benefits.
· Request and submit your official military transcript (if you are the service member).
o Army, Navy, and Marines: www.jst.doded.mil/jst
o AirForce: www.parchment.com/u/registration/33593/institution
· Provide a Guest Letter from parent college, if attending two colleges during the same semester.
AVAILABLE CHAPTERS/BENEFITS:
· Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty – Chapter 30. Full-Time Active Duty. Must be Honorably Discharged or still on active duty to receive. Student must have served two years of active duty before receiving benefit. Student receives money at the end of every month called BAH or housing allowance.
· Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606. Benefits for Guard/Reserve. Student receives money at the end of every month called BAH or housing allowance.
· Post-9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33. Provided for soldiers who have been called to active duty at least 90 days since 9/11. This does NOT count regular training. Benefits percentage is based on how long the soldier was on active duty. Percentage is from 40% to 100%. This chapter pays Tuition (to the school), book stipend, and housing allowance or BAH. This benefit may also be used by the veteran’s dependents (certain conditions apply).
· Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) – Chapter 35. For dependents of Veterans who are permanently disabled due to service-related condition or died while on active duty due to service-related condition. Student receives money at the end of every month.
· VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) – Chapter 31. For Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating. Veteran must initiate an application with a local VA caseworker to have a rehabilitation plan developed. Payment is made directly to the school.
· Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA). For eligible active duty members and members of the National Guard and Reserve. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility. Please contact your branch of service for more information.
ECCC’s VA School Certifying Official (SCO) is Mae Thornton
Located in ECCC Financial Aid Office
PO BOX 129
DECATUR, MS 39327
PH: 601-635-6326 / FAX: 601-635-5216 militarybenefits@eccc.edu
