Financial Aid - Federal Veteran Benefits

How to certify your benefits monthly

All Chapter 30 and 1606 Federal benefit recipients must certify their benefits at the end of every month that you are enrolled; even partial months.

  1. Notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services every semester when you enroll.
  2. Certify your monthly enrollment by either:
    • calling (877) 823-2378 or
    • certifying at www.gibill.va.gov, click on Information for Benefit Recipients (left hand side) and then on Certify your attendance (WAVE).

Frequently Asked Questions about federal veteran benefits:

Q. When should I register in order to keep my check continuous?
A. Veterans should register at the first registration opportunity each semester and notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.

Q. If I have never received benefits, how long after I register for school will I receive my first check?
A. A student is certified for VA benefits on the first day of classes. It takes approximately eight (8) weeks for the VA to process the paperwork. This also applies to the student who did not attend the previous semester.

Q. What does dropping a class do to my benefits?
A. By dropping a class you reduce your training time and your benefits. Any money paid to you for the class you dropped must be repaid to the VA. In most cases they withhold your overpayment from your next benefit check.

Q. How do I return a benefit check?
A. Deposit the check to your personal bank account, then write a check for the amount owed to the Veterans Administration.

Q. What is the address for the Veterans Administration (VA)?
A. The regional office for the VA is:

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office
P.O. Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830

Phone: (888) 442-4551

Phone Certification: (877) 823-2378
Web Certification: www.gibill.va.gov

Q. Where is the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services located in McHenry County College?
A. The office is located in A256. Phone:(815) 455-8761

Chapter 31
Vocational Rehabilitation

Veterans and service members are eligible for vocational rehabilitation if three conditions are met:

  1. They have a service-connected disability or disabilities from active service after September 15, 1940, and are receiving at least 20 percent compensation or would do so but for receipt of military retirement pay. Veterans with a 10 percent service-connected disability also may be eligible if they have a serious employment handicap.
  2. They were discharged or released under than other than dishonorable conditions or are hospitalized awaiting separation for a service-connected disability.
  3. They need vocational rehabilitation to overcome a serious employment handicap.

Benefits

A disabled veteran will be given an evaluation to establish eligibility. An eligible veteran may receive employment assistance, self-employment-assistance, training in a rehabilitation facility, and college and other training. Severely disabled veterans may receive assistance to improve their ability to live independently.

If you think you may be eligible, call 1-800-827-1000 to receive an application.

After approval from the VA, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services at MCC (Building A - Room 141). Upon registering for classes, complete a request for certification and continue to keep the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services updated on your enrollment for each semester.

Chapter 35 
Survivor's and Dependent's Educational Assistance Program/Vocational Rehabilitation

This program provides financial aid for the education of dependent sons, daughters and spouses of:

  1. Veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability the disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
  2. Veterans who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
  3. Service persons missing in action or captured during their line of duty by a hostile force.
  4. Service persons forcibly detained or interned during their line of duty by a foreign government or power.

You may be entitled to receive up to 45 months of education benefits.
Sons and daughters must be between the ages of 18 and 26.
Spouses may be entitled for benefits for 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from date of veteran.

These benefits are for a wide variety of training:

  1. Undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university. Included are associate, bachelor, master and doctorate degrees; cooperative-training and accredited independent student programs that lead to a college degree.
  2. Also included are certificate or diploma from business, technical or vocational schools; apprenticeship or job training programs offered by a company or union; correspondence courses (spouse only); farm cooperative courses; study abroad education benefits payable only for programs leading to a college degree.

To apply, two steps must be completed:

  1. Make sure the program chosen is approved by the VA. You may contact the VA or the MCC's Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.
  2. Complete the VA Form 22-5490 Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (from the VA or the Veterans Office at MCC). Mail into the VA: Veterans Administration Regional Office P.O. BOX 66830 St. Louis, MO 63166-6830
  3. VA will review your application. Once you are approved, bring the award letter to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services at MCC.
  4. Upon registering for your classes each semester, notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.
  5. It is your responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services of any changes in your enrollment during the semester.
  6. Monthly checks will be mailed to your home address approximately four to six weeks after certification and processing by the VA.

Chapter 1606 
Selected Reserve - New GI Bill

  1. Individual enlists, reenlists or extends an enlistment in the Selected Reserve so that obligation to serve is not less than 6 (six) years, starting on or after July 1, 1985; and
  2. Has completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma, (or high school equivalency certificate (GED) before completing the Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT) or before completing a reenlistment or extends an enlistment in order to establish eligibility for Chapter 1606 benefits; and
  3. Has completed IADT; and
  4. Is satisfactorily participating in required training in the Selected Reserve.

To be certified for Chapter 1606 benefits you must:

  1. Complete an Application for Education Benefits, form DD22-1990;
  2. Attach a copy of your DD22-214 member 4 copy Discharge Paper.
  3. Receive from your guard educational officer form DD2384-Notice of Basic Eligibility and bring with above documents to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services at MCC;
  4. Upon registering for your classes each semester, notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.
  5. It is your responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services of any changes in your enrollment during each semester.

Chapter 30
Montgomery GI Bill

  1. Individuals entering military service on or after July 1, 1985, have their basic military pay reduced by $100 a month for the first 12 months ($1,200) of their service.
  2. The veteran must have been released from active duty with the character of discharge specifically listed as "Honorable."

To be certified for Chapter 30 benefits, you must:

  1. Complete an Application for Education Benefits, form DD22-1990;
  2. Attach a copy of your form DD22-214 member 4 copy;
  3. Notify the office of financial aid and veteran services when you enroll each semester.
  4. It is your responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services of any change in your enrollment during the semester.

All of the above paperwork must be completed and in the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services for the first time you use your benefits. If this is a continuing semester for you under Chapter 30 at MCC, you need to certify your benefits monthly. (see section: How to Certify Your Benefits Monthly) If you have used your benefits at another college and want to use them here, then you must fill out a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, form DD22-1995. This form is also required if you change your major or course of study. Bring this with a copy of your DD214 to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.

The VA will process your original application, and you will receive your first check in approximately 10 to 12 weeks from date of enrollment.

Address and Phone Numbers:

Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services
McHenry County College
8900 U.S. Highway 14
Crystal Lake, IL 60012-2761
(815) 455-8761

For questions about your processing, please contact
Department of Veteran Affairs Regional Office
P.O. Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830 1 (888) 442-4551

Forms and information can be found at www.gibill.va.gov

NOTE: Changes in Federal, State and/or institutional policies could affect the above stated financial aid information.

4/17/08