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 at veterans@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:
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 of continuous active federal military service during wartime.
The ADVA will recognize the following periods of wartime service:
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 (one 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 receive four academic years of scholarship benefits.
The entitlement applies to the following dependents:
Note: 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 deadline may 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 visiting www.va.state.al.us/scholarship.htm or 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 program established by the legislature of the state of Alabama and is designed to provide financial assistance to active Alabama National Guard members who are enrolled in degree programs at accredited post secondary institutions of higher learning located within the State of Alabama.
Benefits: Up to $1,000 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. Must be used in conjunction with a primary source of Federal assistance (GI Bill, ACES, etc.). Can be used in pursuit of an associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree.
Eligibility: Must be at least 17 years of age, be an Alabama resident, be an active member in good standing with the Alabama National Guard, be a member of a federally recognized unit of the Alabama National Guard, completed basic training and advanced individual training, be 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 The University of Alabama. Alabama Commissions on Higher Education (ACHE) will send the payment to the school's Financial Aid / VA Officer.
TUITION ASSISTANCES (TA)
Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense (DOD) program. VA does not administer TA. GoArmyEd students enrolled at The University of Alabama should contact Mr. James Shamlee 1-800-467-0227 or email jshamlee@ccs.ua.edu concerning admissions application and all registration requests. TA rules vary by branch of service and can even vary between units depending on whether the unit is active, reserve, or National Guard.
If a student receives education benefits from VA and receives TA benefits from the military, duplication of benefits may be an issue. The issue might involve VA regulations, DOD regulations, or both since VA and DOD both have regulations about receiving VA benefits and TA at the same time. Potential duplication issues are outlined below. The Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning. The courses must be offered by schools that are registered in GoArmyEd and are accredited by accrediting agencies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
In addition to degree programs, TA is available to Soldiers to complete a high school diploma and to complete certificate programs. However, TA will not be approved to complete credentials at the same or a lower educational level. TA is not authorized for programs beyond a master's degree. All eligible Soldiers will request TA through GoArmyEd. Non-Army servicemembers must obtain TA through their branch of Service.
TA PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 31 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (DISABLED VETERANS)
A veteran may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) benefits if he or she:
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. The VA form 28-1905 has to be received before benefits can be used. The 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. Active Duty for benefits purposes includes full-time National Guard duty November 29, 1989. 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. The benefit rating is the percentage of In-State Tuition being covered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees after the application of any waiver, scholarship, aid, or assistance other than loans and funds provided directly to the institution and specifically designated for the sole purpose of tuition and fees.
Tuition: Tuition is the actual established charges for tuition the student is required to pay. Tuition is listed as tuition on the school's billing statement or invoice.
Fees: Fees are mandatory charges (other than tuition, room, and board) applied by the school for pursuit of an approved program of education. Fees include, but are not limited to, health premiums, freshman fees, graduation fees, and lab fees. Fees do not include study abroad course(s) unless the course(s) is a mandatory requirement for completion of the approved program of education. Fees are defined in the school's catalog or supplement and listed on the school's billing statement or invoice.
Examples of fees that are not allowed include:
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. A monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school (for BAH rates please visit www.gibill.va.gov). For those enrolled solely in distance learning the housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents for the 2011 academic year (Active duty students and their spouses cannot receive the MHA). An annual books and supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.
TRANSFER OF ENTITLEMENT
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:
ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS
An individual approved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer the individual's entitlement to:
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
Child
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 in an Academic Year.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays the actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees. You may have tuition and fees that exceed that amount if you are attending a private institution or attending in an out-of-state status.
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.
The University of Alabama is not limited to the number of students that may participate in the program and the percent of tuition that will be contributed. 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.
Please visit the Veterans Affairs website for eligibility requirements for the Post 9/11 GI Bill at 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
Sons, daughters 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. Benefits are paid at the single rate.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
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.
FORMS
