Admission for Veterans and Dependents

Veterans Benefit Coordinator

Kaylee McQuillan
1255 S Range Ave
Colby KS 67701
veteransaffairs@colbycc.edu
(785) 460-4612
(785) 460-4691

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Colby Community College administration, faculty, and staff thank you for your service to our country. We welcome veteran students and dependents of veterans and offer VA educational assistance with the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30), Selected Reserve Chapter 1606, Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), Dependents' Education Assistance (Chapter 35), Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP, Chapter 32), and VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31).

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about VA education benefits is available on the official VA education benefits website.

If you or a dependent family member is eligible for VA benefits, please complete the Veterans Information Form. Upon submission of the form, the School Certifying Official (SCO) will contact you.

A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is typically required to continue receiving benefits. If a student falls below this GPA, they may be placed on academic probation, which could result in suspension of benefits if the GPA is not raised by the following term.

In accordance with Title 38, U.S. Code, Section 3679(e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) or Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) benefits while VA payment to the institution is pending. This school will not:

• Prevent the student's enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee;
• Require students to secure alternative or additional funding; or
• Deny access to any resources available to other students who have paid their tuition and fees, including classes, libraries, and other institutional facilities.

However, to qualify for this provision, students may be required to:

• Provide a Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility, or its equivalent, by the first day of class;
• Provide, for Chapter 31, the VA VR&E contract with the school on VA Form 28-1905 by the first day of class;
• Provide a written request to be certified; and
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Chapter 33 students can use VA.gov to obtain the equivalent of a Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility. Chapter 31 students cannot get a completed VA Form 28-1905, or equivalent documentation, before the VA VR&E case manager issues it to the school.

How Veterans and Dependents Get Started at CCC

To apply for VA education benefits, complete the online application. Follow the step-by-step instructions to submit the application. Once the application has been approved by the VA, the service beneficiary will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Submit the COE and a copy of the DD214 to the SCO in the Financial Aid Office. Documentation must be submitted before certification for courses can occur. No exceptions are allowed.

Enrollment is a two-part process.

1. The first portion is facilitated through Veterans Affairs.
2. The second portion is facilitated through Colby Community College.

Below are ways to use your VA education benefits with Colby Community College. Follow the steps for the chapter that applies to you.

Create a VA.gov Account

Visit VA.gov and create an account if you have not done so already. Follow the instructions for creating a login and password. Once you have completed those steps, you can begin the application process.

For assistance with your VA.gov account, visit the VA contact page.

Returning Students

If you were using benefits last semester, there is no requirement to reapply to the VA or complete additional VA paperwork. You need to notify the Veterans Services Office when you have registered for classes.

Transferring Students

If you have used VA benefits at a different school and are now coming to CCC, the VA requires you to complete a VA Change of Place of Training form. Make sure you are using VA Form 22-1995.

First-Time Chapter 33, Chapter 30, or Chapter 1606/1607 Students

This section applies to the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30), Selected Reserve Chapter 1606, and Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP).

1. Apply for your benefits through the VA education benefits application. Make sure you are using VA Form 22-1990.
2. Submit a copy of your DD214 and Certificate of Eligibility to the Veterans Benefit Coordinator at Colby Community College.

You can also search for forms on the VA forms page.

First-Time Chapter 33 Dependent Transfer of Entitlement Students

1. Your sponsor must apply to the Department of Defense to transfer your GI Bill® benefits through the DoD milConnect website.
2. After the transfer is approved, apply for GI Bill® benefits through the VA transferred benefits application. Make sure you are using VA Form 22-1990E.
3. Submit a copy of your DoD transfer approval letter and Certificate of Eligibility to the Veterans Benefit Coordinator at Colby Community College.

You can also search for forms on the VA forms page.

First-Time Dependents' Education Assistance Students

1. Apply for benefits through the VA DEA and Fry Scholarship application. Make sure you are using VA Form 22-5490.
2. Submit your Certificate of Eligibility to the Veterans Benefit Coordinator at Colby Community College.

You can also search for forms on the VA forms page.

First-Time Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment Students

1. Meet with your VA Veteran Readiness and Employment case manager to obtain approval for VA benefits. The case manager will send your VA contract to CCC. Make sure you are using VA Form 28-1900.

You can also search for forms on the VA forms page.

Once you have completed the steps above, you can begin the enrollment process.

Changing Your Place of Training to CCC

If you have used VA benefits at a different school and are now coming to CCC, the VA requires you to complete a VA Change of Place of Training form. Make sure you are using VA Form 22-1995.

Colby Community College Required Steps

1. The student must be degree-seeking with a declared major. To declare a major, complete the Declaration of Major form and the CCC application for admission for military students.
2. Only VA-approved courses required for certificate or degree programs qualify for payment with VA education benefits. Advisors must sign off on the degree plan before each term. If you do not know who your advisor is, contact the Registrar's Office at 785-460-5509 or registrar@colbycc.edu.
3. Students must be pre-enrolled in courses, and an academic plan must be submitted to the SCO before each term. Veterans are paid according to the number of credits in which they are enrolled and the length of the term or course. The student must email the SCO immediately when a class is added or dropped. Failure to notify the SCO could result in an overpayment, which the student would be responsible for repaying.
4. Veteran students are eligible to receive financial aid and VA benefits. To apply for financial aid, visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website. After submitting the application, wait one week, then contact the Financial Aid Office to verify receipt.
5. Veteran students who have previously been enrolled in college coursework and have not met satisfactory academic progress (SAP) may not qualify for veterans benefits until they return to good academic standing. Official transcripts must be received by the Registrar's Office before coursework can be certified for educational benefits. Students are encouraged to review the CCC Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.

CCC cannot determine eligibility for VA benefits, advise on VA benefits, or determine the amount of assistance. Please speak to your Education Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within the military service before enrolling or if you have questions regarding benefits. To apply, visit the VA education benefits application page.

Through the VA-Once system, CCC will verify the total enrolled credit hours and the cost of tuition and fees.

Additional information is available on the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits website.