Veterans' Benefits
We encourage applicants for Veterans Administration (VA) education benefits to complete their forms at the Onondaga Community College Office of Veterans' Affairs. Forms are also available at any VA area office, Veterans services offices, active duty stations (Education Office), and American embassies.
Award Schedule
Current monthly benefit rate charts are available in the Office of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments to eligible veterans under Chapter 31 are based on student status and number of dependents. Eligible veterans, veteran dependents, and reservists under Chapters 30, 32, 35, 1606 and 1607 do not receive additional benefits for dependents. Chapters 30 (New G.I. Bill) and 32 (VEAP) monthly rates are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans enrolled in three-fourths or full-time study under the New G.I. Bill, New G.I. Bill (Reservists), Dependents, VEAP or VAVR may also request part time employment under the V.A. work-study program. For up to 425 hours of work, the student will receive 425 times the minimum wage. Fewer hours are paid proportionately. Possible placements include the Office of Veterans' Affairs, the VA Area Office, DAV, and the VA Medical Center.
Application Requirements
Along with your completed application(s), be prepared to submit a certified copy of DD-214 or DD-2384 (this can be obtained at your county courthouse/ County Clerk's office) and your high school transcript or GED scores, if available. If you're not a high school graduate or do not have a GED diploma to present, ask the main Admissions Office for information about the "Non-High School Graduate Option". You should also have copies of any records of service schools and coursework completed at other colleges that may apply to your studies here.
Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients
VA recipients are required to report promptly to the Onondaga Community College Office of Veterans' Affairs any interrupted attendance, change in student status, or termination of study. Further details regarding Veterans Standards of Progress are available in the OVA. All VA-sponsored students are responsible for understanding and following these standards.
Types of Benefits
There are a number of benefit programs available to eligible recipients. Detailed information on the programs can be found in the Office of Veterans' Affairs.
Post 9/11 G.I. Bill
Eligibility: 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. Entitlement: The maximum basic benefit provides the following:
- Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning in the state you are attending school;
- Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to an E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as the school; and
- Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year.
The maximum basic benefit is earned after serving an aggregate of 36 months of active duty service or after 30 days of continuous service for those individuals who were discharged for a service-connected disability. Individuals serving between 90 days and 36 months of aggregate active duty service will be eligible for a percentage of the maximum benefit. The percentage level ranges from 40% of the basic benefit for those whose service is between 90 days and 6 months to 90% for those who served between 30 and 36 months. For example, an individual with 5 months of qualifying service could receive 40% of the tuition benefit, 40% of the monthly housing allowance, and a maximum of $400 books and supplies stipend.
Disabled Veterans
If you’re a veteran with at least a 20 percent service-connected disability, you may apply for VA Vocational Rehabilitation regardless of their discharge date. Interested persons should contact the VA Area Office for information and counseling. If you entered service on or after January 1, 1977, you must have participated in either the contributory or a specific non-contributory educational assistance program in order to qualify for Chapter 32 VEAP benefits. (Please see below.) Details and VA applications are available in the Veterans' Affairs Office.
Post-Vietnam Veterans Educational Assistance (VEAP)
VEAP is a voluntary contributory matching or limited non-contributory program for those entering service after December 31, 1976 (Chapter 32). Cutoff date is 10 years after the date of last release from active duty after January 1, 1977. Entitlement is limited to a maximum of 36 months of assistance. Veterans enrolled in VEAP should submit proof of eligibility to the Office of Veterans' Affairs at time of application. Benefits are accumulated by including contributions from the participating service person, and a matching fund from the VA or the Defense Department (normally at the rate of $2 for each $1 contributed by the participant).
Veteran Dependents
Children, spouses, and survivors of veterans whose deaths or permanent total disabilities were service-connected, or who are listed as missing in action may be eligible for post-secondary education benefits under certain conditions. Anyone interested in applying is urged to contact the OCC Veterans' Office, for assistance and information.
New G.I. Bill
Veterans who enlisted on or after July 1, 1985 or enlisted under the delayed entry program prior to July 1, 1985 (and entered active duty after June 30, 1985) are covered by the New G.I. Bill (Chapter 30). However, to use the entitlements the veteran must possess a high school diploma or equivalency certificate prior to the completion of the initial enlistment of two or more years and must receive an honorable discharge. (Active military separated at the convenience of the government must have completed 20 months of a 2-year enlistment or 30 months of a 3 or 4 year enlistment to be eligible for New G.I. Bill entitlements).
Unless the veteran specifically opted to un-enroll, enrollment for the New G.I. Bill was automatic. Those entitled had $100 deducted from their pay for the first 12 months of active duty service, the total deduction being $1,200, which is non-refundable and is applied towards the New G.I. Bill basic entitlement. In return the veteran receives 36 months of educational assistance to use within a ten-year time limit after date of separation. The amount of monthly benefits varies depending on the veteran's individual length of enlistment and branch of service. Contact the Veterans' Affairs office for more detailed information concerning your monthly dollar amount from the New G.I. Bill.
New G.I. Bill (Reservists)
If you are an enlisted person, you may be eligible if you enlisted, re-enlisted, or extended an enlistment in the Selected Reserve, usually for a period of at least six years. Please check with your unit for either Chapter 1606 or 1607 eligibility.
You must have completed your initial period of active duty for training if you had no prior active duty service.
You must (1) have completed 180 days of service in the Selected Reserve (either before or after July 1, 1985); (2) be satisfactorily participating in the Selected Reserve; (3) have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate, but (4) not have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent program.
Contact
Office of Veterans’ Affairs
Gordon Student Center, Room 130A campus map
Hours: Moday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Telephone: 315 498-2200
e-mail: holzwarp@sunyocc.edu
