Veterans' Educational Benefits

Welcome to Adirondack Community College! Below you will find information on receiving Veteran's Educational Benefits for the upcoming semester.

Admissions and Registration Process

Students who are new to the college will need to go through the Admissions process. Please visit http://www.sunyacc.edu/admissions_and_financial_aid/how_to_apply.html for information on applying to ACC. Once admitted, students will be referred to the Advisement and Testing center for placement testing. Once all testing is complete students will receive information on orientation and scheduling an appointment with a Counselor to select their courses for the upcoming semester.

Benefits Application Process

Students attending college for the first time will need to complete the Veterans Application to obtain a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility for Educational Benefits. Students applying for Chapter 30, 33, 1606, or 1607 benefits need to complete VA Form 22-1990. Please visit http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-1990-ARE.pdf to download the application. Students applying for Chapter 35 benefits need to complete VA Form 22-5490. Please visit http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-5490-ARE.pdf to download the application. After completing this process you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Educational Benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Students who have received educational benefits at another school before attending ACC will need to complete the form 22-1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training). You may print the form from the VA Web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-1995-ARE.pdf.

Forms to Submit to the Registrar’s Office

The following paperwork must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office before the college can certify your enrollment:

Member 4 copy of the DD 214 or the Form 2284 NOBE.If you do not have a copy of your military records you can visit http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html to request this information.

Certificate of Eligibility for Educational Benefits (needed from first time college students only).

Change of Program or Place of Training VA Form 22-1995 (needed from transfer students only).

Certification Process

Once you have registered for classes, the Veterans' Coordinator will prepare an enrollment certification stating the number of credits you are enrolled for and forward that information to the VA Regional Office in Buffalo, NY. You will receive a letter from the VA stating the type of benefits, the number of months of eligibility and the date they expire. It may take from 6 to 10 weeks before payment authorization is made.

Enrollment Certification

On the 30th/31st of each month, all Chapter 30, 1606, and 1607 recipients must call 1-877-823-2378 or access the Website https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do to verify their enrollment status. Please call (888) 442-4551 if you need to speak with a Veterans Counselor for Assistance.

Military and College Transcript Information

ACC uses the credit recommendation of the "American Council on Education's Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services" when awarding transfer credit.

All Veterans are required to provide official copies of all college and military transcripts. Official copies should be mailed to ACC, Registrar's Office, 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.

Veterans Student Group

ACC students have formed a Veterans group for those who served on active duty, are in the Armed Forces, or Reservists. The purpose of this group is to help students connect with one another, and share resources and ideas. This group currently meets every other Monday at 12:40pm in the Student Cloister. Please contact Beth Faller in the Counseling Office at 743-2220 for additional information.

Educational Benefit Payment Rates

Please refer to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Website http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm for a listing of the current educational benefit payment rates.

Payment Plans

Students receiving Veteran’s Benefits have the option of paying their bill on the due date or they may sign up for the Veteran’s Payment Plan. The payment plan requires a $100.00 down payment and allows students to pay their balance over the course of the semester. If you are interested in enrolling in the Veteran’s Payment Plan please stop by the Registrar’s Office.

Additional Aid Opportunities for New York State Residents

New York State offers additional financial aid opportunities for Veterans and their families. For more information please refer to the HESC website http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/2/New_York_State_Programs_Quick_Reference.

Description of the VA program chapters

Chapter 30 - The Montgomery G.I. Bill. This program provides educational benefits to individuals that served on active duty. The Member 4 copy of your DD 214 is required. To apply for this benefit please visit http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-1990-ARE.pdf.

Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans. This program is for individuals who have a service connected disability. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs determines that training and rehabilitation services are needed to overcome an employment barrier. Veterans should contact the Chapter 31 Case Manager at the VA Medical Center, 113 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208. The Case Manager can be reached by phone at (518) 626-5692 or (518) 626-5693. Once eligibility has been established, the Case Manager will issue a signed 22-1905, either to the student or to ACC's Veterans' Coordinator.

Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This program will pay eligible individuals tuition & fees directly to the school. Students will also receive an annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment. The program will also pay a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. Information on the housing allowance rates can be found at http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html.

To apply for this benefit please visit http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-1990-ARE.pdf.

Chapter 35 - Dependents Education Assistance Program. This program is for the dependents (spouse or children) of individuals who die or are permanently disabled from service connected causes. To apply for this benefit please visit http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-5490-ARE.pdf.

Chapter 1606 and/or 1607 - Montgomery G.I. Bill-Selected Reserve. These programs are available to members of the Selected Reserve, including the National Guard. The form DD2384 (NOBE) is required. To apply for this benefit please visit http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-1990-ARE.pdf.

For Veterans Assistance Contact:

Harry Candee, State Veteran Counselor

Assists with Veteran's Paperwork & Inquiries

Washington Hall 110

Phone: (518) 832-7744

Email: hcandee@veterans.state.ny.us

Beth Faller, ACC Counselor

Assists with Veteran's Student Group & Student Registrations

Warren Hall Copunseling Office

Phone: (518) 743-2278

Email: fallerb@sunyacc.edu

Sarah Levin, Veteran's Certifying Official