Human Resources & Educational

Benefits at Joseph A. Marshall

Veterans Center

Presenter Name
Location
Date
117 students collecting GI Bill Benefits for fall 2019

15 students collecting National Guard Tuition Waiver

24 student Veterans transferred to 4-year

school in 2018

82 Male and 50 Female

Veterans

Male Female
 Veterans Educational Benefits
For Veterans…
Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill
• These students’ bills are held so they are not required to pay upfront.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sends their tuition and fees
right to the college.
• Students using this benefit also receive a book stipend and monthly
housing allowance prorated based on number of credits.

Chapter 31 Veterans Vocational Rehab

• These students’ bills are held so they are not required to pay upfront.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sends their tuition and fees
right to the college.
• Students using this benefit also receive a monthly housing allowance
and their books and supplies are billed to VA directly from Follett.
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill

• These students are responsible for paying for their tuition, fees and books.
• Once attendance is verified with VA (by the student) at the end of each
month, the student receives a monthly stipend to help reimburse the full
cost of attending.
 Veterans Educational Benefits
For National Guard and Reserves…

Chapter 1606 Selected Reserve GI Bill

(Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Air National Guard)

• These students are responsible for paying for their tuition, fees and
books.
• Once attendance is verified with VA (by the student) at the end of
each month, the student receives a monthly stipend to help reimburse
the full cost of attending.

Chapter 1607 National Guard

• These students are responsible for paying for their tuition, fees and
books.
• Once attendance is verified with VA (by the student) at the end of each
month, the student receives a monthly stipend to help reimburse a portion
of the cost of attending.
• These students may also be eligible for the Massachusetts National
Guard Tuition and Fee Waiver.
 Massachusetts National Guard Tuition and Fee Waiver
 Members of the MA National Guard may be eligible for a 100% Tuition and
Fee Waiver
After registering for courses students who may qualify can apply at
http://mro.chs.state.ma.us/tuition/Login.aspx

Massachusetts Veterans Tuition Waiver

Wartime Veterans as defined by Massachusetts Public Law may be eligible for a
"Categorical Waiver" if currently a resident of Massachusetts for at least one year.
Bring a copy of your DD214 (#4) to Financial Aid in The Enrollment Center on the
first floor of G building. You must complete a form each semester to receive this
benefit. Active Duty personnel stationed in Massachusetts are also eligible for a
"Categorical Waiver". A letter from your Commanding Office certifying that you are
stationed and reside in Massachusetts is required.

 Tuition waivers are processed through Financial Aid

 Tuition and Fee Waivers are processed through The Student Accounts Office
 Veterans Educational Benefits
For Spouses and Dependents of Veterans and Servicemembers…

Chapter 33 Transfer of Entitlement

Veterans with at least 10 years of service after 9/11/01 and Servicemembers with at least
6 years served after 9/11/01 who are willing to serve another 4 years may be eligible to
transfer their Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill to a spouse or dependent. In this instance,
once eligibility is confirmed the VA and the school provide this benefit to the student as if
they are the Veteran/Servicemember themselves, qualifying for all tuition and fee
payments, book and housing stipends (see Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill).

Chapter 35 Dependents Educational Assistance

Spouses and Dependents of Veterans who are 100% disabled or were killed in action
(KIA) may be eligible for this benefit. Students utilizing this benefit are required to pay
their bill out of pocket. Once attendance is verified with VA (by the student) at the end of
each month, the student receives a monthly stipend to help reimburse the cost of
attending. These students do not receive assistance for books.
 Collecting VA Educational Benefits at Bristol
All of the following forms can be accessed on the Bristol Veterans website
www.bristolcc.edu/Veterans or
in the Joseph A. Marshall Veterans Center in E-103
Type of VA Student When Form
ALL students collecting VA benefits EVERY Semester Bristol CC VA Certification
Form
Veterans filing for benefits for the very first After registering for their first semester 22-1990
time at Bristol

Veterans changing their major Right after filing change of major form 22-1995
in Enrollment

Veterans who have filed for benefits at other After registering for their first semester 22-1995
schools before but not at Bristol at Bristol

For spouses and dependents of the veteran After registering for their first semester 22-5490
who are filing for benefits for the very first time at Bristol

For spouses and dependents of the veteran Right after filing change of major form 22-5495
who are changing their major in Enrollment

For spouses and dependents of the veteran After registering for their first semester 22-5495
who have filed for benefits at other schools at Bristol
before but not at Bristol CC

All Students collecting benefits, with the exception of Chapters 31, 33 and 35, must
verify their enrollment status with the VA at the end of each month in order to
receive their monthly stipend. They can do this by calling 1-877-823-2378.
 Veterans Educational Services at Bristol
Joseph A. Marshall Veterans Center
A one-stop shop for all of your Bristol and VA needs. The Center serves as a hub for Veterans’
Academic and Career guidance, social outlet, and educational benefit certification. Special
programs and events are held within the Center as well as the Student Veterans Association
meetings. Students may use the lounge to socialize or relax between classes. Our study space
provides a cozier, more peaceful space where students can study, collect resources or simply
rest and unwind. The Center also has newly upgraded computers, a printer/ copier, and new
satellite TV service students can use to watch news, sports, or entertainment.
 Veterans Educational Services at Bristol
Veterans Benefit Certification
Eligible Veterans may use VA Educational Benefits at Bristol. The College’s Certifying Official will assist
you in applying for your benefits from the VA. Your eligibility and benefit payments are based on the length
and time of your service and the number of credits and length of the courses in which you are registered.
To be certified, submit all required documentation to Veteran Educational Services at Bristol Community
College. Your certification will be processed in a timely manner and sent electronically to the Veteran’s
Office in Buffalo, NY. They will then determine your eligibility. This usually takes 6-8 weeks.

Veterans Specific Career Counseling

The Veterans Career Counselor counsels Veterans through their transition from combat to campus to
career by offering career testing, individual career planning appointments, assistance with updating a
military resume into a civilian resume and job search strategies.

Veteran Specific Events

The Veterans Center hosts a number of events throughout the year dedicated to our military community.
The annual Veterans Expo, our largest event, is held in November with over 50 organizations devoted to
Veteran success. We also host a full week of activities prior to Veterans Day with events at each campus to
celebrate our veteran/military students and their families. Smaller workshops, presentations, one on one
appointments with external agencies like Veterans Inc. and The Providence VA’s Benefit Claims
Department.

Vet to Vet Tutoring

We currently have 3 Bristol faculty members and a Bristol Alum, all of whom are Veterans themselves,
volunteering to tutor student Veterans and their dependents in math, science (basic and chemistry), and
history.
 Vet Success at Bristol CC
Helpful Hints for Bristol Student Veterans

1. Report all changes in enrollment (adding or dropping a course, withdrawing

from a course, receiving or completing an incomplete grade, etc.) to the VA
Certifying Official IMMEDIATELY! All payments are based on enrollment,
changes in enrollment could mean owing the VA money. The longer you wait
the more you will owe because the VA will continue to pay you at the credit
amount they have on the certification.

2. Apply for Financial Aid Veterans are allowed to collect financial aid along with
GI Bill benefits if eligible for both. However if the student accepts a loan, they
are technically going to pay back something VA would have covered the cost of
so it is in the best interest of the student to only accept grants if possible for
their given situation.

3. Vet to Vet Tutoring We currently have 3 Bristol faculty members and a Bristol
Alum, all of whom are Veterans themselves, volunteering to tutor students in
math, science (basic and chemistry), and history.

4. Check your AccessBCC email account Our main way of communicating with
students including disseminating important information from the VA is through
AccessBCC

5. Services available at other Bristol Community College Locations by

appointment
 Vet Success at Bristol CC
Helpful Hints for Bristol Staff Working with Student Veterans

 All student Veterans and their dependents who are collecting Veterans Affairs (VA) educational
benefits must fill out the Bristol CC Veterans Certification Form EVERY SEMESTER

 Student Veteran benefits are prorated based on length of service and number of registered credits
(the VA levels of enrollment are less than half time, half time, three-quarter time, and full-time).
 The VA pays based on dates of attendance so there may be times (usually during late-start,
intersession and summer semesters) where Bristol considers a student full-time but VA does
not.

 Student Veterans can collect financial aid in addition to VA benefits. It is recommended student
Veterans speak with the VES Office prior to accepting aid for an explanation of how grants vs. loans
work in conjunction Veterans educational benefits.

 There are a variety of educational benefits student Veterans can utilize at Bristol but only three
benefits are set-up in a way that there is no upfront cost to the student. Those benefits are Chapter
31 Veterans Vocational Rehab, Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill, and The Massachusetts National Guard
Tuition and Fee Waiver. All require proper paperwork but once complete the student’s bill will be held
preventing from them from being dropped for non-payment while we wait on the VA to pay Bristol.
 After Hours Access
After Hours Access is Available

 Students taking evening classes, may request after hours access through the Veterans Center

 Student Veterans should visit the center, fill out a request form, and have it signed by the
Veterans Center staff
 Students then bring the form to Campus Police, and have their student ID card key-coded to
allow access for evening hours
 Bristol CC Active Duty Military Withdrawal Policy

Bristol Community College will allow military personnel called to active duty (not
to include National Guard or Reservist training) to withdraw from their courses
without academic or financial penalty. Written or verbal notice of departure must
be given to the Office of the Registrar or the Office of the Vice President of
Students; however, a copy of the order to active service must be provided to
either office noted above within three months of release from active service.

Readmission to the matriculated program of study at the point of departure is

guaranteed, provided the student returns within two semesters of discharge from
active duty. To maintain eligibility for all other benefits, the cumulative length of
absences cannot exceed five years.
 Veteran Educational Services
Justin Caverio, Veterans Center Director
justin.caverio@bristolcc.edu

Robin Gallant, VA Certifying Official

robin.gallant@bristolcc.edu
Joseph A. Marshall Veterans
John Previte, Student Veterans Association Staff Advisor
John.previte@bristolcc.edu Center, E-103
(P) 774.357.2227
(F) 508.730.3253
bristolcc.edu/veterans