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.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)

• Benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
  • You will receive a monthly payment at a rate set by Congress based on your expenses for 36 months, which varies based on enrollment status.
  • Monthly check (via direct deposit) sent to veteran after proof of enrollment and monthly online verification.

$600 Buy-Up program

• If you take part in the $600 Montgomery GI Bill Buy-Up program, you’ll get more money each month through your GI Bill monthly payments.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
$600 Buy-Up Program | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

Veteran Readiness & Employment VRE (Chapter 31)

• This program provides effective vocational rehabilitation services to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
  • Benefits determined on an individual basis.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Home (va.gov)

Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) & Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)

• This program provides financial support for education and housing to veterans with at least 90 days of active service on or after September 11, 2001, and eligible dependents that meet requirements for transfer of benefits. These benefits do not expire.
  • An annual book stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.
  • Tuition payment will be made directly to the school after registration, not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition/fees at a public institution.
  • Monthly housing allowance when meeting the basic allowance for housing criteria for an E5 with dependents based on the location of the school.
  • If you participated in the $600 buy-up under the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, you will not receive that additional benefit under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
  • You are not eligible to receive Federal Tuition Assistance in conjunction with Ch 33 benefits.

    Individuals Serving and Aggregate Period of Active Duty after September 10th, 2001 of:	Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable:
    At least 36 months	100%
    At least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service-connected disability	100%
    At least 30 months < 35 months	90%
    At least 24 months < 29 months	80%
    At least 18 months < 23 months	70%
    At least 6 months < 17 months	60%
    At least 90 days < 5 months	50%

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
    Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
    Post 9-11 Yellow Ribbon Program
    The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. Keep reading to find out if you’re eligible and if your school takes part in this program.

Survivors and Dependents Assistance—DEA (Chapter 35)

• DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 36 months of education benefits.
  • For a son or daughter, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26.
  • If you are a spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible.
  • For surviving spouses (spouses of service members who died on active duty) benefits end 20 years from the date of death.

You may be able to get these benefits if both you and the Veteran or service member meet certain eligibility requirements.
One of the descriptions listed below must be true. The Veteran or service member:

• Is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or
• Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability, or
• Is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or
• Was forcibly detained (held) or interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity, or
• Is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability (effective December 23, 2006)

If you’re the child of a Veteran or service member

• You can get benefits if you’re between the ages of 18 and 26, except in certain cases. You may be married or unmarried.
• If you’re over 18 years old and using DEA, you can’t get Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from us. Learn more about DIC here.
• If you join the military, you can’t use this benefit while on active duty. And if you want to use this benefit after you leave the service, you can’t have a dishonorable discharge. Military service can extend your eligibility, but this increase doesn’t usually go past your 31st birthday.

If you’re the spouse of a Veteran or service member

• Your benefits start on the date we conclude that you qualify or on the date of the Veteran’s death, and last for 10 years.
• If the VA rated the Veteran as permanently and totally disabled, with an effective date that’s 3 years after discharge, you’ll qualify for benefits for 20 years from that effective date. This new policy began on October 10, 2008. The VA won’t pay benefits for training you started before this date.
• If the service member died on active duty, your benefits end 20 years from the date of death.
• You can get DIC payments from us and use DEA benefits.

REPS – Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (Addition to Ch 35)
Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) may be available to certain survivors of deceased veterans in addition to Chapter 35 benefits. Eligibility for these benefits is limited to unmarried full-time students between the ages of 18 and 22 whose parent died while on active duty before August 13, 1981, or who died as a result of a service-connected disability incurred before August 13, 1981. These benefits are similar to the benefits eliminated from Social Security. The amount of the benefits is based on information from the Social Security Administration.
Students who are applying for benefits for the first time must complete DVA form 21P-8924, Application of Surviving Spouse or Child for REPS Benefits. For eligibility information, contact the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (DVA) at 1-800-827-1000.
Learn more about REPS Benefits at www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov-Overview-of-the-Restored-Entitlement-Program-for-Survivors-(REPS)

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

• This 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, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard.
  • Monthly housing allowance check (via direct deposit) sent to veteran after proof of enrollment and monthly online verification.

As of May, 2021, Ch 1606 can be used in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance. See the PDF here.

Federal Tuition Assistance

Overview

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) is financial assistance provided for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a service member’s profession and personal self-development goals.
You must be currently serving in an active or reserve capacity to be eligible to receive Tuition Assistance.
Concord University is approved to accept Tuition Assistance payment from all DOD branches of service.
Tuition Assistance typically covers up to a maximum of $250 per semester hour and up to 16 semester hours per year (the number of funds and/or units may vary by service branch).

To Use TA for Air Force, Navy, Marines

Eligible Service members must receive approval from an Educational Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling in Tuition Assistance (TA).
Once you have completed your TA submission through the appropriate portal, please send approved TA forms to the School Certifying Official for processing.
Branch Portals

• Air Force
• Marines
• Navy

To Use TA for the Army or Army WV National Guard

Recent changes now allow Army Guard and Reserve to utilize Tuition Assistance in conjunction with their WV National Guard Scholarship and Department of Veterans Affairs Montgomery Selective Reserve Benefit (1606).
To use Army TA you must complete all of the steps at least 10 days before the start of the term.

1. You must be an accepted student.
2. Go to ArmyIgnitED and establish an account by clicking “GetStarted” (CAC ID required)
3. Request an Education Goal (select Concord University and the degreeprogram)
4. Enroll in courses at Concord University
5. Return to ArmyIgnitED and request TA for the courses you want to useTA for:
   1. Courses can be requested up to 60 days prior to the course start date.
   2. Once courses are approved, go back to ArmyIgnitED, print authorization form and provide to the Veteran School Certifying Official.
6. An evaluated degree plan/audit will be required after the completion of6 credit hours using Federal Tuition Assistance.

The National Call to Service program

This program allows you to choose an education benefit as an alternative to the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). If you performed a period of national service, you may be eligible.

Fry Scholarship

If you’re the child or surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship).

Tuition Assistance Top-Up

Does your college tuition cost more than what’s covered by the Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program? Find out if you can get more money to help pay for school through the Tuition Assistance Top-Up program.
Am I eligible for Tuition Assistance Top-Up?
You may be eligible for Tuition Assistance Top-Up if you’re approved for federal TA and you meet both of the requirements listed below. Both of these must be true:

• You qualify for Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) or Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and
• The cost of the course and fees is more than TA will cover

Learn more about Tuition Assistance Top-Up here! (Veterans Affairs; va.gov)

Tutorial Assistance

If you’re using VA educational assistance, and you’re struggling with the coursework, we may help you pay for a tutor.
Am I eligible for this benefit?
You may be eligible for this benefit if you’re using VA educational assistance and you meet all of the requirements listed below. All of these must be true:

• You’re enrolled in an educational program for half-time or more, and
• You’re taking a course that’s difficult, and
• You have to take the course as part of your educational program

Learn more about Tutorial Assistance here! (Veterans Affairs; va.gov)

---

Policies

Changing Courses/Enrollment

Once classes are certified and the tuition and fee amounts are reported by Concord University to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, any changes in enrollment will result in Concord University going into Debt Management with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As a result, students may be placed into debt with the university. Before making any changes to enrollment, contact Concord University’s School Certifying Official.

Instructor Withdrawal

Students can be withdrawn due to non-attendance. When this happens, it must be reported to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a punitive grade. For concise definitions of punitive vs. non-punitive grades, please visit the website knowva.ebenefits.va.gov. Since drops and withdrawals do not contribute towards the GPA, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will not, under most circumstances, pay for a course in which the student is withdrawn for non-attendance. The withdrawal date will be reported to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as the last date of documented attendance in the course. For more information about this, please contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as it is ultimately their policy on how they pay.

Withdrawals

Since withdrawals do not contribute toward your GPA, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will not, under most circumstances, continue to pay for a withdrawn course. If you are unable to continue in the course due to Mitigating Circumstances, you may qualify to have your course covered by your benefits up to the withdrawal date. The withdrawal date, in accordance with federal guidelines, is recognized as the date the student notifies Concord University of the intent to withdraw, either in writing or orally. To learn more about Concord University’s Withdrawal Policy, please visit the Concord University Catalog.
When a student withdraws from a course, Concord University must submit an adjustment of enrollment to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Because the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will not continue to pay for the course, debt may be created on the school by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Concord University will pay back any required debts with the VA, which may result in you owing a debt to Concord University.
Typically, the only documentation that Concord University may require for withdrawals is for Military Withdrawal requests. If the Office of Military Affairs is notified that a student has been approved for one of these withdrawals, a School Certifying Official will make an update to your certification indicating the Mitigating Circumstances that led to the withdrawal. All other requests or documentation for Mitigating Circumstances, including for medical reasons, should be submitted directly to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has an F.A.Q. that may provide further clarification. For further questions regarding withdrawal, please contact the School Certifying Official.

Terminating/Cancelling Your Certifications

According to the VA, after a GI Bill® payment has been released to either the student or the school for the certified period of enrollment, the GI Bill® cannot be terminated in order to conserve entitlement. Tuition and fee payments of the Post-9/11 GI Bill are typically made within 1-2 weeks after your tuition and fees are reported to the VA, which occurs after the add/drop deadline for each given sub-term. Monthly Housing Allowance payments for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and standard payments for students using Chapters 30, 35, and 1606, are released directly to the student the first week of the month following a previous month’s certified period of enrollment. Please note these timeframes are not guaranteed and are beyond the control of Concord University.
If you do not wish to use your GI Bill in a given semester after it has already been processed, you must email the School Certifying Official, clearly stating your desire to have your GI Bill® certification terminated for a specific enrollment. After it is confirmed that payment has not been released by the VA, a certifying official will proceed with terminating your certifications. In circumstances where payment has already been released, please note there are exceptions that may allow us to terminate your certifications, outlined below:

• The student drops course(s) in the term.
• The student withdraws from or is unofficially withdrawn (please see Concord’s withdrawal policy and unofficial withdrawal policy for the full ramifications of withdrawing while using veteran’s benefits).
• The student receives Federal Tuition Assistance for the same course(s).

Students using Chapter 31 VA Veteran Readiness and Employment who wish to have their certifications terminated will need to have their VA Counselor contact Concord University directly.