VETERAN'S SERVICES

Veterans Affairs Office
102 Cope Administration Building
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132
Office: (615) 898-2601 fax: (615) 898-5538
Email: rhowell@mtsu.edu

Ray Howell
Veterans Affairs Coordinator

• Eligibility for Deferment
• Eligibility
• Post - 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
• The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30)
• Reservists Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 1606)
• Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607)
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31)
• Dependents GI Bill (Chapter 35)
• To Apply for Benefits
• Payment Delays
• How to Prevent Overpayments and Penalties
• General Guidelines to Follow Once You Have Enrolled
• Veteran Benefit Education Service Web Site
• Military Information (MTSU Military Center)

Eligibility for Deferment of Payment of Tuition and Fees
Veterans and dependents of 100% service-connected disabled veterans who are eligible beneficiaries of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits or other governmentally funded educational assistance, subject to the conditions and guidelines set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated 49-7-104 as amended, may elect, upon formal application, to defer payment of required tuition and fees until the final day of the term for which the deferment has been requested. Application for the deferment must be made no later than 14 calendar days after the beginning of the term, and the amount of the deferment shall not exceed the total monetary benefits to be received for the term. Students who have been granted deferments are expected to make timely payments on their outstanding tuition and fees balance once education benefits are being delivered, and eligibility for such deferment shall terminate if the student fails to abide by any applicable rule or regulation, or to act in good faith in making timely payments. This notice is published pursuant to Public Chapter 279, Acts of 2003, effective July 1, 2003.

Deferments are not automatic; you must apply for a deferment each term that you will be receiving GI Bill benefits. To apply, contact the Veterans Affairs Office once you’ve registered for the upcoming term.

If you utilize the deferment plan, a hold will be placed against your account which will prevent adding/dropping courses until your account is paid in full. As long as you are making timely payments on your account, then you can contact the Business Office for a temporary release of your hold. You might need to utilize this option during priority registration for the next term if your account isn't fully paid by that time.

Eligibility
Eligibility for VA educational benefits can be extended to veterans, reservists/guardsmen, spouses and children of 100% service-connected deceased or disabled veterans under the programs listed below.

Post - 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
Individuals who are eligible for the new Post 9/11 GI Bill may begin using it August 1, 2009. Only active duty service performed after September 10, 2001 may be considered for determining eligibility for this new benefit. To be eligible, a service member or veteran must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty. However, individuals honorably discharged for a service-connected disability who served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001 may also establish eligibility.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#CH33

The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30)
Enlistment after July 1, 1985 is required. The service person must have participated in the pay reduction program. The monthly payment rate will vary with the length and type of service. Members are eligible for this benefit for up to 10 years from their date of separation from the military. Monthly WAVE verification is required to insure monthly benefit payments.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH30/CH30_Pamphlet_General.htm

Reservists Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 1606)
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. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of educational benefits. Your benefit entitlement ends 14 years from the date of your eligibility for the program, or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1606/CH1606_Pamphlet_General.htm

Reserve Educational Assistance Program - REAP (Chapter 1607)
This program was established as a 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 program is for reservists who were activated for at least 90 consecutive days after September 11, 2001. Qualified reservists are eligible for increased benefits.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1607/REAP_FAQ.htm

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31)
This program is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division at the Nashville Regional Office. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. For more information contact: Rob Grant at (615) 695-6160 or Stephanie Bruce at (615) 695-6104 or go to:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm

Dependents GI Bill (Chapter 35)
A spouse or child of a service-connected deceased or 100-percent-permanently disabled service-connected veteran may be eligible for VA educational assistance. The marital status of a dependent child is not a factor in determining eligibility. Benefits may be used until the dependent has reached the age of twenty-six or for eight years from the date that eligibility is determined, whichever is later.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH35/CH35_Pamphlet_General.htm

To Apply for Benefits
To apply for GI Bill benefits contact the MTSU Veterans Affairs Office in the Cope Administration Building Room 102 Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Payment Delays
Though the Veterans Affairs Office tries very hard to expedite the benefit processing time, you should be prepared for payment delays. You should allow the VA Regional Office six to eight weeks to process any change in your claim; however, this processing time may vary according to the particular term you’re attending. Also be aware that the amount of VA funding that you receive may not cover all tuition and related fees for the courses in which you enroll.

How to Prevent Overpayments and Penalties
An overpayment is an incorrect benefit payment that is more than the amount to which you are entitled. If you promptly notify the MTSU Veterans Affairs Office of changes affecting your benefits, you can prevent or reduce overpayments.
In addition, you should use reasonable judgment when you accept and cash a check. Carefully read all letters from the VA about the monthly rate and effective dates of your benefits. If you think a VA check is incorrect, contact the VA Regional Office at 1-888-442-4551 before cashing the check. Return any checks for too much money to VA Regional Office.
If you cash a check for the incorrect amount, you will be liable for repayment of any resulting overpayment.

General Guidelines to Follow Once You Have Enrolled

• VA will only pay for courses required in the student’s major or minor. You should report any changes in your major to the MTSU Veterans Affairs Office.
• You must notify the MTSU Veterans Affairs Office immediately of any changes in registration or class attendance which may affect your status as a full or part-time student.
• VA benefits are based on the number of credit hours a student is registered for and attending. Dropping or not attending classes could result in overpayment. Additionally, certain courses (ENGL 1009, 1010, 1020, READ 1000, MATH 0990, and remedial/developmental courses) award a grade of "N" if a student hasn't earned the minimum grade required for the course. Since MTSU Academic Regulations consider a grade of "N" to be a non-punitive grade, Veterans Administration rules & regulations state that a student cannot be paid for a non-punitive grade. Therefore, if you receive an "N" grade in a course, you could incur an overpayment which you will have to repay to the Veterans Administration. Please contact the Veterans Affairs Office at (615) 898-2601 if you have any questions regarding this matter.
• VA will only pay benefits for one program at a time. If you are working toward two different degrees and/or programs at the same time, you must choose which one will be your primary program to be reported to the VA.
• You cannot be certified to re-enroll in courses for which you have earned a passing grade. VA will only pay for repeating courses with grades of "F", "N", or "W" unless the MTSU catalog specifically states that a certain minimum grade is required.
• VA will not pay for online remedial/developmental courses.
• You should not enroll in any courses that you have previously been given credit earned by military service.
• Most internships/practical training/independent study courses are not approved for veteran’s benefits. Please check with the veteran’s coordinator, Ray Howell, in the MTSU Veterans Affairs Office prior to enrolling in these courses.
• Incoming veterans should consult their academic advisors concerning evaluation of prior military credit before going through MTSU’s Admissions Office for transfer of military credits. Military credits apply to cumulative hours earned, but may not apply to your degree program. Excessive hours may disqualify you for financial aid.
• Incoming veterans who are classified as out-of-state for fee payment purposes should discuss their residency status with the Admissions Office to inquire if their spouse’s residency can be used by the veteran to qualify them for in-state status for fee payment purposes.
• Veterans may provide a copy of their DD FORM 214 to the MTSU Health Services Office to satisfy the MMR immunizations requirement to be eligible for full-time enrollment.

Veteran Benefit Education Service Web Site
For information and questions concerning the Montgomery GI Bill go to www.gibill.va.gov

Military Information (MTSU Military Center)
For information and questions concerning the MTSU Military Center of Adult Degree Completion Program go to www.mtsu.edu/learn/adcp/adcp_military.shtml

In the Chronicle of Higher Education it was noted that a new web site provides information on benefits eligibility and advice on picking a college and career path, as well as stories about veterans who have completed postsecondary education.
http://www.todaysgibill.org/

Last updated 2-26-09