Veterans Information Center

Welcome U.S. Veterans, Service Members, Spouses, and Dependents

J. F. Drake State Technical College is committed to helping our Veterans and their dependents receive the most use out of their VA educational benefits while making their educational experience here as successful as possible. We have a Veterans Representative on campus that is knowledgeable and able to assist in the process of applying for benefits.

The Veterans Representative is located in the Financial Aid Office on campus which is located in Building 700 Room 703.
Office hours are: Monday-Thursday 8am-6pm Friday 8am-12pm.
You can reach the Veterans Representative by phone at 256.551.3124.

VA Approved Programs

• Associates in Applied Technology Degree
• Long and Short Certificates

Links:

GI Bill Web site http://www.gibill.va.gov/   
Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs
http://www.va.state.al.us/
 
Army Tuition Assistance Program
https://www.goarmyed.com/login.aspx

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm

Current Pay Rate
http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/benefits_resources/rate_tables.html  

W.A.V.E.    
http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/verify_attendance/

Telephone Numbers:

VA Education National Call Center 1-888-442-4551
VA Debt Management Center 1-800-827-0648
W.A.V.E. 1-877-823-2378


VA Educational Benefits

J.F. Drake State Technical College proudly accepts VA educational benefits.

Here at J.F. Drake State Technical College we believe that veterans and their dependents deserve to use the educational benefit that they are eligible for. The federal government and the State of Alabama offer educational benefits to Veterans and their dependents. Below is a listing of each VA educational benefit we accept and a brief description of each.

Post 9/11 Benefit Chapter 33

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education, housing and books to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate services after September 10, 2011, or individuals discharged with a service connect disability after 30 days. This benefit pays tuition and fees at a certain percentage based on time served that would be determined by VA.

To apply, please use VA form 22-1990.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Chapter 30

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree, certificate programs and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30. This benefit pays the student a monthly allowance based on their enrollment status each term the student decides to enroll.

To apply, please use VA form 22-1990.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve Chapter 1606

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses and independent study programs. Remedial, refresher and deficiency training are available under certain circumstances.
Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your eligibility for the program normally ends on the day you leave the Selected Reserve. This benefit pays the student a monthly allowance based on their enrollment status each term the student decides to enroll.

To apply, please use VA form 22-1990.

Montgomery GI Bill Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) Chapter 1607

REAP was established in 2005. The educational program was designed to provide assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. This benefit pays the student a monthly allowance based on their enrollment status each term the student decides to enroll.

To apply, please use VA form 22-1990.

Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35

Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

To be considered for eligibility you must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:
• A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
• A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
• A servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
• A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
• A servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23, 2006.

If you are a son or daughter and wish to receive benefits for attending school you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In certain instances, it is possible to begin before age 18 and to continue after age 26. Marriage is not a bar to this benefit. If you are in the Armed Forces, you may not receive this benefit while on active duty.

To apply, please use VA form 22-5490.

Alabama GI Dependents Scholarship

The State of Alabama offers the Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship to dependents, spouse and widow(er) of a disabled veteran. For the dependent, spouse or widow(er) to be eligible the veteran must meet one of theses requirements:

• Have a service-connected disability (20% or more). If the veteran is deceased, the disability must have been determined prior to death.
• Be a former prisoner of war (POW).
• Declared missing in action (MIA).
• Died as the result of a service-connected disability.
• Died while on active military service in the line of duty.

The veteran must have been a resident of the State of Alabama prior to entering the military. Permanently service-connected veterans rated at 100% who did not enter the military from Alabama, may qualify after establishing at least five years of permanent residency in Alabama prior to filing an application or immediately prior to death, if deceased.

Maximum educational benefits include free tuition, technology fees, and required textbooks for five standard academic years for a prescribed technical course at any state-supported junior or community college, university, or technical school.

Dependent children must file an application prior to age 26 (may be extended to age 30 in certain cases). A spouse or widow(er) does not have a filing deadline or age limitation.

For more information on this scholarship, please visit the Alabama Veterans Affairs Web site at http://www.va.state.al.us/scholarship.htm

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance is a benefit for eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard in support of their education goals, including up to 100% tuition and fees for college courses taken.

Tuition and fees are normally paid directly to the institution by the individual service. Additionally, active duty members may elect to use the MGIB "top-up" in addition to their service provided TA to cover high cost courses. Each branch of the service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions.

If you believe you are eligible, please talk with the educational officer in your respective line of service.

Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP)

This program was designed by the State of Alabama to reimburse eligible guard members for the amount of tuition, fees, books and supplies which exceed the National Guard (federal) tuition assistance available for the term. Applicants must be a resident of the state of Alabama.

If you believe you are eligible for this assistance, please obtain an ANGEAP application from your unit and complete Section I. The institution will complete the remaining of the application and submit on your behalf. Please attach current bookstore receipts to the application. Awards are determined by the State of Alabama on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. Awards will not exceed $500 per term or $1,000 annually.

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)

Vocational Rehabilitation is intended to help the service-disabled veteran gain secure employment that is compatible with his or her interests, abilities, physical capabilities, and goals. Under Chapter 31, the Veterans Administration pays the cost of required tuition, fees, books, equipment, and supplies. The veteran also receives a monthly subsistence allowance.

For more information, contact your local Veteran Affairs Office.


Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)


(Public Law 112-56)
The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program is a program resulting from the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. The VRAP Program is designed to assist unemployed veterans who meet the following qualifications:
• Must be at least 35 but nor more than 60 years old, at the time of application;
• Be unemployed (as determined by DOL), on the date of application;
• Have an other than dishonorable discharge from the last period of service in the Armed Forces;
• Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program at the time of application;
• Not be in receipt of VA compensation due to Individual Unemployability; and
• Not be enrolled in a federal or state training program at any time during the previous 180-day period as of the application date.
The program is limited to 45,000 participants during fiscal year 2012 and to 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Benefits can be paid for full-time training in an approved program of education leading to employment in a high demand occupation beginning on or after July 1, 2012, with the last payment ending March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance at the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program.
To apply, please visit www.ebenefits.va.gov

Purple Heart Scholarship/Waiver


Veterans who are recipients of the Purple Heart Award may be eligible to receive a scholarship/waiver of tuition and fees to attend J.F. Drake State Technical College, or any other community or technical college in the state of Alabama. Veteran recipients of the Purple Heart award must be enrolled as full-time or part-time students in an undergraduate program that culminates in a degree or certificate. Recipients must currently be residents of Alabama and must have been residents at the time of the military action resulting in the Purple Heart award. Recipients must submit the DD-214 form issued at the time of separation from service as documentation that they received the Purple Heart award.


Getting Started

Step One

• Apply for your benefit(s). The links below will direct you to helpful websites to start the process.
• If you are a Veteran or on Active Duty and wish to apply for educational benefits, please visit this Web site: http://gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/
• If you are a dependent and wish to apply for benefits, please visit this website: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-5490-ARE.pdf
• If you are a dependent, spouse or widow(er) and would like to apply for the Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship, please visit this Web site for more info: http://www.va.state.al.us/scholarship.htm
• If you are a transfer student and have already been approved for benefits you must complete the VA Request for Change of Program or Place of Training form.
• For veterans, it is form 22-1995 (http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-22-1995-are.pdf)
• For dependents, it is form 22-5495 (http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-22-5495-ARE.pdf)
• If you are a transfer student using the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship you must complete the Request for Supplemental Certificate form. This form can be found under our VA Documents tab below.
• Also, apply for admissions to our college and apply for financial aid. (www.fafsa.ed.gov)

IMPORTANT: All eligibility is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Step Two

Once you have applied, you will receive a response from the Department of Veteran Affairs. Please bring those documents to the Veterans Representative located in the Financial Aid Office.

NOTE: It is not required for transfer students to have their official documentation from the Department of Veterans, but it is appreciated.

At our institution, we have two documents that you must complete before we can allow you to use your benefit. These documents are Statement of Understanding and Responsibility and Statement of Financial Understanding. Please go to our VA Forms and Documents tab and retrieve these documents. Please complete and bring them with your official paper work from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

NOTE: If you are a transfer student and do not have your official paper work, it is still required that you complete Drake VA forms.

Step 3

• Register for your classes
• Make payment in our business office
• Submit your schedule to the Veterans representative in the Office of Financial Aid.


Certification Process

All students who receive VA Educational Benefits must do the following in order to have their enrollment submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs:

• Must have a complete Admissions file. Prior credit must be evaluated before enrollment certification is submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Register for classes and make payment in our Business Office.
• IMPORTANT: Students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill must register for classes and come by and see the Veterans Representative BEFORE proceeding to the Business Office.
• Once payment has been made in our Business Office, please complete J.F. Drake Enrollment Certification Request Form and provide a copy of your class schedule to the Veterans Representative. Students must complete this process every semester they decide to enroll.
• If courses registered for are not included in your current degree plan, they will not be submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs as part of your enrollment.
• If a student plans to make adjustment to their schedule or withdraw from a course, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Veterans Representative. Untimely notification can result in an overpayment that the student will be held responsible to pay back to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Withdrawals

Students who official withdraw from a course or courses must complete J.F. Drake State Technical College VA Withdrawal Request Form and attach official withdrawal paperwork. It is imperative that any changes made to your schedule be reported in a timely matter to the Veterans Representative.

Verifying Attendance

Students using Chapter 30, 1606 and 1607 or VRAP are required to verify their attendance with the Department of Veteran affairs.

To verify attendance, visit this website: http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/verify_attendance/
or call toll free at 1-877-823-2378.

Advance Payment

J. F. Drake State Technical College does not process advance payment requests. Student accounts must be paid in full at our Business Office before enrollment is submitted to the Department of Veteran Affairs.

For any other questions about the process of applying, certification process, withdrawals, or verifying your attendance please contact the Veterans Representative by phone at 256.551.3124.

VA Documents

Veterans Statement of Understanding and Responsibility.pdf
Veterans Financial Understanding.pdf
VA Enrollment Certification Request.pdf
VA Withdrawal Certification Request.pdf
ADVA-5s (2).pdf