The University of Alabama

Veterans Services

Welcome to The University of Alabama Veterans Services where we are proud to serve our veterans and their spouse(s)/dependents.

As a veteran, spouse or dependent of a veteran, you are entitled to certain benefits, and are eligible to participate in certain programs. The following information should serve as a brief overview of these programs and your benefits.  If you require additional information, please contact The University of Alabama Veterans Services at (205) 348-6770 or email us at vacal@em.ua.edu.

The Veterans Services Office assists veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and dependents of disabled or deceased veterans. It also serves as a liaison between the student, local and federal agencies, including State Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs. While the Veterans Office at The University of Alabama does not determine eligibility for assistance, we ensure that proper paperwork is completed, certified, and filed with the Veterans Affairs so that payment of benefits can begin. It normally takes 60 to 90 days for the Veterans Administration's Regional Office (VARO) to finish processing your claim. Please take a moment to review the different Veterans Education Benefits that are offered below:

State of Alabama Programs

ALABAMA GI DEPENDENTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

This nationally renowned program was created by Act 633 and approved October 1947 by the Alabama Legislature. It is administered by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and is governed by the Code of Alabama 1975, Section 31-6-1. The veteran must meet the following qualifications to establish eligibility of his/her dependents. A dependent is defined as a child, stepchild, spouse or the un-remarried widow(er) of the veteran.

Military Service: The veteran must have honorably served at least 90 or more days of continuous active federal military service or honorably discharged by reason of service-connected disability after serving less than 90 days.

Disability Requirements: The veteran must be rated 20% or more due to service-connected disabilities or have held the qualifying rating at the time of death, a former Prisoner of War (POW), declared Missing in Action (MIA), died as the result of a service-connected disability, or died while on active military service in the line of duty.

Residency Requirements: The veteran must be a permanent civilian resident of the State of Alabama for at least one year immediately prior to (a) the initial entry into active military service or (b) any subsequent period of military service in which a break (1 year or more) in service occurred and the Alabama civilian residency was established. Permanently service-connected veterans rated at 100% who did not enter service from Alabama, may qualify after establishing at least five years of permanent residency in Alabama prior to an application on file or immediately prior to death, if deceased.

Entitlement: Five standard academic years or part-time equivalent at any Alabama state-supported institution of higher learning or a prescribed course of study at any Alabama state-supported technical school without payment of any tuition, required textbooks or instructional fees for eligible dependents initially enrolling in school on or after Fall 2009. Dependents who enrolled in school prior to fall 2009 will receive four academic years of benefits.

The entitlement applies to the following dependents:

  • A child whose parent was killed on active duty in the line of duty; killed from a service-connected disability; was declared MIA; was a former POW; or has a 20% or greater disability rating and entered the military from the State of Alabama.
  • A spouse or unmarried widow/widower whose spouse was killed on active duty in the line of duty; died from a service-connected disability; was declared MIA; was a former POW; or has a 100% permanent disability rating and either entered the military from the State of Alabama or lived in the State of Alabama for five years immediately prior to making application.
  • A spouse or widow(er) of a veteran who is rated 20% - 90% due to service-connected disabilities, and who initially enrolls in school on or after Fall 2009, are entitled to three standard academic years without payment of tuition, required textbooks and instructional fees or a prescribed technical course not to exceed 27 months of training. A spouse enrolled in school before fall 2009 receives two academic years of benefits.

Note: A widow(er) forfeits benefits upon remarriage. Spouse forfeits benefits upon divorce from veteran in which the spouse derived their eligibility.

Age Deadline: The child or stepchild must initiate training prior to their 26th birthday. Age 30 is the deadline to apply in certain situations. There is no age deadline for submission of the application by the spouse or un-remarried widow(er).

Unauthorized Courses: The Alabama G.I Dependent Scholarship Program does not pay for noncredit or remedial courses, placement testing, GED preparation, continuing educational courses, pre-technical courses nor state board examinations.

Supplies: The Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program does not pay for supplies such as pens, papers, notebooks, tools, art supplies, uniforms, computer software products, etc.

Book Purchases: The Alabama G.I. Dependents' Scholarship Program will pay for only those books that are mandatory for the courses in which you are officially enrolled. We do not pay for the purchase of reference manuals, suggested reading materials, study guides or recommended workbooks that are for convenience or discretionary purposes only. Once approved call (205) 348-8307 to confirm receipt of certificate.

Application Assistance: The Veterans' Affairs Department maintains an office in each county of the State which can furnish information and assist in filing your application. These offices are located in the local county courthouse or in the immediate vicinity. Out-of-state applicants may receive additional information by contacting:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Alabama G.I. Dependents' Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 1509
Montgomery, AL 36102-1509

ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ANGEAP)

ANGEAP is a state student assistance program established by the Legislature of the State of Alabama and is designed to provide financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members who are residents of the State of Alabama and are enrolled in degree programs at accredited postsecondary institutions of higher learning located within the State of Alabama.

Benefits consist of up to $1,000.00 per year for book supplies, fees, not to exceed $500.00 per semester. Minimum award is $25.00 per semester and cannot exceed 100% of the total costs. Limited funds are available and are allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Entitlement must be used in conjunction with a primary source of Federal assistance (GI Bill, ACES, etc.). ANGEAP can be used in pursuit of an associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree.

Eligibility: Applicant must be at least 17 years of age, an Alabama resident, an active member in good standing with the Alabama National Guard, a member of a federally recognized unit of the Alabama National Guard, completed basic training and advanced individual training, enrolled in a degree program and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree.

Application Procedure: Obtain an ANGEAP form from your guard unit for certification. Complete section one and submit the ANGEAP form to the Veterans Services Office at U of A. Alabama Commissions on Higher Education (ACHE) will send the payment to the school's Financial Aid / VA Officer.

TUITION ASSISTANCES (TA)

Tuition Assistance is a program that allows participating members of the Alabama National Guard and Reservist to attend college with 75% tuition assistance not to exceed $100.00 per hour for 100/200 level classes and $170.00 per hour for 300/400 level classes.

The TA program may be used in conjunction with other Federal programs (GI Bill, Pell Grant).

Eligibility: Must be a satisfactory participant in the AL ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, attend an approved postsecondary institution and attain a grade of "C" or better.

Application Procedure: Student should contact their unit in order to submit form DA Form 2171 electronically at the time of registration. Upon completion or termination of course we will provide the course outcome to the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) at the address listed below. The student authorizes release of this information by signing the DA Form 2171. The payments will be disbursed through Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) to The University of Alabama upon receipt of the student's invoice. If you would like to discuss the procedure or if you have any questions, please feel free to call the DANTES Distance Learning Program staff using the following address:

DANTES
Code 20J
6490 Saufley Field Road
Pensacola, FL 32509
Telephone: (850) 452-1085
FAX: (850) 452-1161
Email: dstlearn@voled.doded.mil

Federal Programs

CHAPTER 31 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (DISABLED VETERANS)

A veteran may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) benefits if he or she:

  • Received, or will receive, a discharge other than dishonorable conditions;
  • Incurred or aggravated service-connected disability which entitles a person to VA disability compensation; and
  • Is in need of vocational rehabilitation because his or her disability creates an employment handicap.

Vocational rehabilitation may be provided for up to 48 months. An eligible veteran generally has 12 years from the date he or she is notified of entitlement to VA compensation to use their Chapter 31 benefits. VA may approve an extension of time and/or length of training in certain cases.

Entitlement for vocational rehabilitation services is determined on an individual basis following an evaluation of the veteran's interests, aptitudes, education, work experience, and vocational abilities. Each school is assigned a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to assist Chapter 31 students and school officials responsible for certifying Chapter 31 students. Full tuition, fees, and books are paid to the school by the VA. In addition, the student gets a subsistence allowance depending on the training status.

Lon Reed is the Veteran's Rehabilitation Counselor. His office is at 950 22nd Street North, Suite 777, Birmingham, AL 35203. Telephone number is (205) 731-0037. VA form 28-1905 has to be received before benefits can be used. VA form 28-1905 allows you to charge tuition, fees and books at The University of Alabama.

CHAPTER 30 MONTGOMERY GI BILL (MGIB) AND ACTIVE DUTY MGIB

The Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty), also known as Chapter 30, is a program of education benefits generally for individuals who enter active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985 and have contributed to the college fund. Eligible individuals first served on full-time active duty in the National Guard between June 30, 1985 and November 29, 1989, with no previous active duty. The participant generally must serve continuously on active duty for three years of a three-year or greater initial enlistment or, for a lesser benefit, two years of an initial active-duty obligation of less than three years. An individual also may qualify for the full benefits by initially serving two continuous years on active duty, followed by four years of Selected Reserve service. In the latter case, the participant must enter the selected reserve within one year of the release from active duty. The participant must meet the requirements for a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate before the first period of active duty ends. Completing 12 credit hours toward a college degree meets this requirement. Individuals, who initially serve a continuous period of at least three years of active duty, even though they were initially obligated to serve less, will be paid at the higher basic rate.

CHAPTER 33 POST 9/11

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a new education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. The benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.

You may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty.

You may also be eligible if you were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.

NOTE: Once you elect to receive benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you will no longer be eligible to receive benefits under the program from which you elected the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The housing allowance, books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty. The housing allowance is not payable to those pursuing training at halftime or less or to individuals enrolled in distance learning.

TRANSFER OF ENTITLEMENT

For the first time in history, service members enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program will be able to transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses or children starting Aug. 1, 2009. Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and:

  • Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election.
  • Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or selected reserve) on the date of election, is precluded by either standard policy (service or DOD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute,
  • Is or becomes retirement eligible during the period from August 1, 2009, through August 1, 2013. A service member is considered to be retirement eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active duty or 20 qualifying years of reserve service.

ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS

An individual approved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer the individual's entitlement to:

  • The individual's spouse
  • One or more of the individual's children
  • Any combination of spouse and child

A family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits, at the time of transfer to receive transferred educational benefits.

A child's subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive the educational benefit; however, after an individual has designated a child as a transferee under this section, the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.

A subsequent divorce will not affect the transferee's eligibility to receive educational benefits; however, after an individual has designated a spouse as a transferee under this section, the eligible individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.

NATURE OF TRANSFER

An eligible Service member may transfer up to the total months of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, or the entire 36 months if the member has used none (unless DOD/DHS limits the number of months an individual may transfer).

Family member use of transferred educational benefits is subject to the following:

Spouse

  • May start to use the benefit immediately.
  • May use the benefit while the member remains in the Armed Forces or after separation from active duty.
  • Is not eligible for the monthly stipend or books and supplies stipend while the member is serving on active duty.
  • Can use the benefit for up to 15 years after the service member's last separation from active duty.

Child

  • May start to use the benefit only after the individual making the transfer has completed at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces.
  • May use the benefit while the eligible individual remains in the Armed Forces or after separation from active duty.
  • May not use the benefit until he/she has attained a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or reached 18 years of age.
  • Is entitled to the monthly stipend and books and supplies stipend even though the eligible individual is on active duty.
  • Is not subject to the 15-year delimiting date, but may not use the benefit after reaching 26 years of age.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IS A PARTICIPANT OF THE YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The University of Alabama can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees. You may have tuition and fees that exceed that amount if you are attending graduate school or attending in an out-of-state status. The Yellow Ribbon Program is awarded on a first-come first-served basis, regardless of the rate at which the individual is pursuing training in any given academic year.

VA will match that amount and issue payment directly to the institution. Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (100% based on service requirements) may receive this funding. You must be enrolled in an approved program offered by The University of Alabama.

Please remember that you must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% rate to be considered for the Yellow Ribbon Program and funding is limited based on a first come first served basis.

Please visit the Veterans Affairs website for eligibility requirements for the Post 9/11 GI Bill at: http://www.gibill.va.gov

CHAPTER 1606 MONTGOMERY GI BILL SELECTED RESERVES (MGIB-SR)

This program provides benefits for members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard who enlisted, re-enlisted, or extended their enlistment for a period of six years after July 1, 1985.

To find out more about eligibility requirements please contact Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO) at 1-888-442-4551.

CHAPTER 1607 RESERVE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REAP)

This program provides educational assistance to members of the reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency was declared by the President or Congress.

CHAPTER 35 SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Children and spouses of veterans may be eligible for educational assistance if the veterans died while in services, died as a result of a service connected disability, became permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability, or died while disability was in existence.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

All Veterans Educational Assistants recipients that are admitted to The University of Alabama must provide the Veterans Services Office with a copy of High School transcripts or transcripts from prior college. Veterans Services 106 Student Services Center, Box 870162, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

You must visit the VA Office to complete proper VA Form(s), provide our office with a copy of VA forms or Certificate of Eligibility letter received from the VA Regional Office.

You must contact your academic advisor for academic plan and pre-registration worksheet.

A copy of your pre-registration worksheet must be submitted to our office every semester.

Any changes made to your enrollment should be reported to our office, whether it is a change of program or change of status.

Failing to provide our office with any documentations/changes can result to delay in payment.