Contact:
Deborah Barrett
Veterans Affairs Officer
P.O. Box 828
Abingdon, VA 24212
dbarrett@vhcc.edu
Telephone: 276-739-2460
Toll Free: 1-877-207-6115 (from selected areas)
For additional information visit the United
States Department of Veterans Benefits or
visit the Virginia
Department of Veterans Services
Veterans Affairs
Veterans and their qualified dependents may be eligible for VA education
benefits authorized under specific chapters of Title 38 of the U.S. Code.
Each chapter has specific eligibility requirements. Only the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs can determine your eligibility for VA education
benefits, the VHCC Veterans Officer cannot. If you qualify for more than one
veteran’s educational benefit, check with the Buffalo Office to explore your
options for maximum use.
Veterans must request VA certification each semester (including summer
sessions). You should contact the VHCC Veterans Officer (located in the VHCC
Admissions Office). The Veterans Officer certifies enrollment and forwards
the requests to the regional VA Office in Buffalo, NY, for processing. The
VA determines eligibility for education assistance in all cases. For
information about certification requirements for each program, click below
on the appropriate classification:
- Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30) [pdf]
- Vocational Rehabilitation [pdf]
- Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP, Chapter 32) [pdf]
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA, Chapter 35) [pdf]
- Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606) [pdf]
- Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserves (REAP, Chapter 1607) [pdf]
- Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program
How to Apply for Veterans Education Benefits
Monthly Verification
Enrollment data should be verified by students each month by calling 877-823-2378
or logging on to the Web Automated Verification Enrollment (WAVE) site at
www.gibill.va.gov. Monthly attendance verifications are accepted the last
calendar day of each month.
Drop/Add/Withdraw/Stop
Attending Classes
The VHCC Veterans Affairs Officer must be contacted when students receiving
veterans benefits withdraw from classes, or when classes are dropped
or added and result in a change in the number of enrolled credit hours.
This notification may eliminate future problems with VA overpayments.
No payment is allowed for audited courses.
Vocational Rehabilitation Veterans should also report changes to their
VA Case Manager.
Address or Direct Deposit Change
Students receiving veterans benefits should contact the Veterans Administration
Office at 877-838-2778 or by using the WAVE System at
https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/
also, inform the VHCC Veterans Affairs Officer regarding
address changes.
Curriculum Changes
Curriculum changes should be reported to the VHCC Veterans Officer.
Advanced Pay
Advanced pay is available for new students and those who have a break of
at least one calendar month between semesters. To apply, students should
contact the VHCC Veteran’s Affairs Officer at least 30 days prior
to the first day of class.
VHCC Physical Education Credit for Military Service
PED requirements for degree, diploma, and certificate programs may be waived
for veterans. Please contact the VHCC Veterans Affairs Officer to complete
the required form, which must be accompanied by a copy of the veterans
DD-214.
Credits and Pay Rate
12 Credits and Above—Full-Time Pay Rate
9, 10, or 11 Credits—3/4 Time Pay Rate
6, 7, or 8 Credits—1/2 Time Pay Rate
1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Credits—Only Tuition is Paid
Summer Semester—The payrate depends on which session the class is taken
(intersession, five week or ten week), check with the VHCC Veterans Affairs
Officer for number of required credits
Eligibility
All veterans programs at Virginia Highlands Community College are approved
for enrollment of veterans, survivors, and dependents under Title 38,
U.S.C. and selected reservists under Title 10, U.S.C.
Prior active military members have a ten year period of eligibility following their discharge from active duty. Dependent children of 100% permanent disabled service connected veterans have until their 26th birthday to complete their education, while wives/widows have a ten year period. If you may be eligible for educational benefits under Chapter 31 (VOCREHAB), call 800-827-1000. Members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard, who have entered into a six year contract, may be eligible under Chapter 1606 (nee 106).
If you are not sure you qualify for veteran’s benefits, please call the Buffalo, NY toll-free number at 888-442-4551. If you qualify for more than one veterans educational benefits check with the Buffalo office to explore your options for maximum use.
Replacing a DD-214
A request form is available online at
www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs
for those interested in obtaining a copy of their DD-214. It may take
approximately six weeks to process requests.
Community College of Air Force Transcript
To request a transcript, contact:
CCAF/RRR
130 WEST MAXWELL BLVD
MAXWELL AFB, AL 36112-6613
CHAMPVA
The VHCC Veterans Affairs Officer must submit a letter verifying full-time
enrollment before CHAMPVA benefits will be extended to students between
the ages of 18 and 23. To request this letter, contact the VHCC Veterans
Affairs Officer each semester.
National Guard Kicker
A copy of the National Guard Kicker Contract should be submitted to the
VHCC Veterans Affairs Officer. Please contact your Unit if you cannot
locate your contract copy.