Military Benefit Programs

Military Benefit Programs for Central Penn students

Military Friendly® School

The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students. Our 2020-2021 Military Friendly® Schools list is more exclusive than ever, and covers institutions offering certificate programs to doctoral degrees.

PNGAS Guard-Friendly School

The Pennsylvania National Guard Associations (PNGAS) announced that Central Penn College was one of 30 universities and colleges to receive the inaugural PNGAS Guard-Friendly School designation.

“I especially want to recognize Dan Guerrisi from the veteran’s affairs department. He made utilizing my VA benefits simple and easy. I had previously attempted to go back to school at another college and they did not help me at all with applying for or managing my VA benefits. Working with Dan to manage my benefits alleviated a huge amount of stress from attending college.”

Chris Adams, Medical Assisting, ’19

Principles of Excellence

Central Penn College adheres to the Principles of Excellence program, which are guidelines for educational institutions receiving Federal funding. In adherence to the Principles of Excellence, Central Penn College will:

  • Provide students with a personalized form covering the total cost of an education program.
  • Provide educational plans for all Military and Veteran education beneficiaries.
  • End fraudulent and aggressive recruiting techniques and misrepresentation.
  • Provide accommodations for Service Members and Reservists absent due to service requirements.
  • Designate a Point of Contact for academic and financial advising.
  • Ensure accreditation of all new programs prior to enrolling students.
  • Align institutional refund policies with those under Title IV.

For more information on the Principles of Excellence, please visit:https://www.va.gov/education/choosing-a-school/principles-of-excellence/

Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)

Central Penn College is a participating institution in the Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP). This program offers education and training for high-demand jobs to Veterans who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veteran Eligibility:

In order to be eligible for this program, a veteran must meet each of the following eligibility requirements:

Benefits:

Students can receive up to 12 months of tuition, fee, and housing allowance payments. The tuition and fee payments are broken sent directly to the institution in the following disbursements:

  • 50% when the veteran begins the program
  • 25% when they graduate from the program
  • 25% when they are employed

The following degree programs and certificates are approved for VRRAP funding:

  • Associates Degree in Medical Assisting
  • Associates Degree in Paralegal
  • Phlebotomy Certification
  • Associates Degree in Communications
  • Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
  • Associates Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems
  • Associates Degree in Accounting
  • Associates Degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business
  • Associates Degree in Marketing

* This benefit is only available through December 11, 2022.

CHAPTER 30: MONTGOMERY GI BILL ® ACTIVE DUTY

This program provides education benefits to veterans and service members who began active duty service for the first time after June 30, 1985.

Eligibility

Benefits

  • Eligible service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, any college fund eligibility, and if you contributed to the $600 buy-up program. You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years depending on the situation. View current payment rates.
  • Payment will be sent to you at the end of every month enrolled in classes.

Verify Your Enrollment

  • Before the VA can release your payment, you will need to verify your enrollment through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system in one of two ways:
  • Online: Through the WAVE portal
  • Phone: Call the VA Verification phone line at (877) 823-2378
  • For more information on this benefit, go to the Montgomery GI Bill ® Active Duty benefits page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

CHAPTER 31 – Veterans Readiness and Employment

This program was developed to help veterans with service-connected disabilities become employed and achieve independence in daily living.

Provided Services

Once approved, you will be assigned a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in your state.

For more information on this benefit, go to the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

  • Comprehensive evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment.
  • Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school.
  • Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services.
  • Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance.
  • Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations.

Eligibility

  • Cannot have a dishonorable discharge upon separation of active duty.
  • Obtain a memorandum rating of at least 20% (Active Duty) or higher from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  • Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% (Veterans) from the VA.
  • Apply for VR&E services

Benefits

  • Education benefits usually last up to 48 months but can be extended in certain instances.
  • Tuition and fees are sent directly to the school.

How to Apply

  • Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs by phone at (800) 827-1000 to determine your eligibility.
  • Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation by completing and submitting VA Form 28-1900 to the Department of Veterans Affairs directly. 

CHAPTER 33 – POST 9/11 GI BILL ®

This program provides education benefits to veterans who have served after September 11, 2001.

Eligibility

At least one of these must be true. You:

  • Served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
  • Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
  • Served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
  • Are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member

Benefits

You can receive up to 36 months of benefits, including:

  • Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, we’ll cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. We cap the rates for private and foreign schools, and update those rates each year. View current rates
  • Money for housing (if you’re in school more than half time). We’ll base your monthly housing allowance on the cost of living where your school is located.
  • Money for books and supplies. You can receive up to $1,000 per school year.
  • Money to help you move from a rural area to go to school. You may qualify for this one-time payment of $500 if you live in a county with 6 or fewer people per square mile and you’re either moving at least 500 miles to go to school or have no other option but to fly by plane to get to your school.

For more information on this benefit, go to the Post 9/11 GI ® Bill benefits page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM

We have partnered with the Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer the Yellow Ribbon Program to students with 100% eligibility under the Post 9/11 GI Bill ®.

This program allows degree-granting institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will match the same amount as the institution.

Eligibility

Only Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate (100%), as determined by service requirements, or their designated transferees may receive this funding. Active duty Service members and their spouses are not eligible for this program. Child transferees of active duty Service members may be eligible, if the Service member is qualified at the 100 percent rate.

For more information on this benefit, go to the Yellow Ribbon Program page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

TRANSFER OF ENTITLEMENT

If you are a current member of the Armed Forces (active duty), the Department of Defense (DoD) allows you to transfer all or some of your Post 9/11 GI Bill ® benefits to your spouse or dependent children. This request must be completed while serving as an active member of the Armed Forces. It is up to the DoD to determine eligibility for transfer of entitlement.

For more information, go to the Transfer of Entitlement page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. 

CHAPTER 35 – DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program offer education assistance to veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of a veteran who is was either killed on active duty or who died of a service-related condition, was a POW or is classified as MIA.

Eligibility

Must be the dependent son, daughter, or spouse of:

  • A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability after September 10, 2001. 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 service member 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 service member 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 Dec. 23, 2006. 

Benefits

  • Up to 45 months of education benefits.
  • Payment will be sent to you at the end of every month enrolled in classes.

For more information, go to the Dependents Education Assistance Program page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

CHAPTER 1606 – MONTGOMERY GI BILL ® SELECTED RESERVES

The Montgomery GI Bill ® selected reserves is available to members of the selected reserve. This includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, the Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard.

Eligibility

  • To qualify, you have to meet the following requirements:
  • Sign a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve (must have been signed after June 30, 1985).
  • Complete your initial active duty training (IADT).
  • Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
  • Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit.

Benefits

  • Payment will be sent to you at the end of every month enrolled in classes.

Verify Your Enrollment

Before the VA can release your payment, you will need to verify your enrollment through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system in one of two ways:

  • Online: Through the WAVE portal
  • Phone: Call the VA Verification phone line at (877) 823-2378

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

If you are a member of the PA National Guard, you may be eligible for additional educational benefits through the Educational Assistance Program (EAP). You must apply through your National Guard Unit. Once approved we will receive an updated roster with your name on it. Once your name appears on our EAP roster, we will add the payment to your account.

  • The 2020-2021 payment breakdowns are below:
    • Full Time – $2731
    • Part Time – $228 per credit

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

Per the Veteran’s Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, students who are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® (Chapter 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Chapter 31) benefits may attend courses for up to 90 days from the date the student provides a valid certificate of eligibility or valid VAF 28-1905, while the VA processes their electronic VA Enrollment form. During this time, the student is only responsible for charges not covered by Chapter 33 or 31 fund sources. The College will not impose a penalty, or require the eligible student to borrow additional funds to cover tuition and fees due to late payments from the VA.

FEDERAL TUITION ASSISTANCE

The Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for current service members to assist with the cost of tuition.

How Do I Apply?

  • Ensure that you are approved for TA.
  • Once approved, you can apply through the Go Army ED website.
  • TA is requested on a course-by-course basis.
  • When applying, you will need to know the following:
  • Number of credits per course
  • Cost of the course (tuition only)
  • Dates of the course
  • Subject code and number (ENGL 101)

Tuition Assistance Rates

  • $250 per credit hour (16 credit hour cap per fiscal year)
  • $4,500 Annual cap per fiscal year
  • You can use Tuition Assistance in conjunction with EAP and the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® only

For more information on TA, please go to the Tuition Assistance Policies page on the Go Army ED website.

If you are unsure of any of this information, Daniel Guerrisi (Certifying Official) will be able to assist you.

PA National Guard Appreciation Scholarship

The $1000 PA National Guard Appreciation Scholarship is awarded to any student using their Pennsylvania National Guard EAP Benefit for general education use. The award will be divided over the first 4 terms of study. Will be awarded when EAPG is processed.

Opportunities Start HERE

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