Sandhills Community College - Financial Aid

Financial Aid - Veterans Affairs

Sandhills Community College education programs are approved by the North Carolina State Approving Agency for the enrollment of persons eligible for education assistance benefits from the U.s. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Those entitled to VA benefits are eligible veterans, participants in the Montgomery G.I. Bill contributory program, active duty military in voluntary education programs, drilling National Guard, drilling Reservists, and spouses and children of disabled or deceased veterans. The Office of Veterans Affairs in the Student Services Center provides information and assistance to students applying for VA education benefits. Following is a general description of the veteran benefit programs available at SCC. Please see the VA Certifying Official regarding any specific questions regarding these programs.

Ensuring Successful Certification
It is the veteran's responsibility to clear with the VA any problems concerning payments. First, the veteran should check with the Financial Aid Office in Stone 128c to make certain that all necessary paperwork has been processed. If there are any problems after the paperwork is in order, the veteran should call the VA Winston-Salem office toll-free number (1-800-827-1000) between 9 AM and 4 PM Mondays-Fridays.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for approved degree and certificate programs here at SCC. 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.

The Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
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. This benefit may be used for approved degree and certificate programs here at SCC. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. The Government matches your contributions on a $2 for $1 basis. This benefit may be used for approved degree and certificate programs here at SCC. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for approved degree and certificate programs here at SCC. Work-Study Program This program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits that is attending school at least three-quarter time. An individual working under this program may work at the school veterans' office or at approved VA facilities. Work-study is paid at the minimum wage rate and can work up to 25 hours a week.

NC National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
This program is available to any student who is an eligible member of the North Carolina National Guard and pays tuition/fees. Students who wish to use TAP must submit a completed and signed OTAGNC Form 621-100 from their Commanding Officer. This form must be completed and approved by the A6E50 each semester prior to last day of registration. Sandhills Community College is a member of the Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SMOC) and a participant in the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP).

General Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for educational benefits, the student must be enrolled in an approved curriculum, taking only those courses required for graduation in the chosen curriculum. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress under the same standards as Financial Aid Recipients. The VA will not pay for enrollment in the following:

course audits,
repeated courses previously passed,
credit by examination,
courses not required in chosen curriculum
continuing education classes
dropped or withdrawn classes

Documentation
VA regulations governing institution-approved training of veterans and/or dependents of veterans require that certain documents be on file prior to certification of enrollment. To request the required application, please contact the VA Certifying Official at (910) 693-2066 or willetth@sandhills.edu. Certification will not be made until the VA Certifying Official receives all documentation. It takes 60-90 days from the date of certification for benefits to start. Required documentation is as follows:

1.	Application for Admission with all required documentation;
2.	Proper Application for VA benefits (form 22-1990, 22-5490, or 28-1990) and all required supporting documentation, including but not limited to the following items:

	1.	Certified copy of Page 4 of the DD-214, or National Guard form DD-2384 “NOBE” signed by the Unit Commander;
	2.	Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable); 3. Copy of divorce decree (if applicable); 4. Dependent children's birth certificates (if applicable);
	3.	Official high school transcript or GED scores and all academic transcripts from each college previously attended;
	4.	Dependent children's birth certificates (if applicable);

3.	Official high school transcript or GED scores and all academic transcripts from each college previously attended;

If VA benefits have been received for prior training, the student must submit form 22-1995, Change of Program or Place of Training.

Veteran Affairs

Financial Aid