Allegany College of Maryland proudly welcomes members of the United States Military
and their dependents on our campus. It is our mission to assist with educational benefits
you’ve earned and provide the resources needed to attain your student goals. We strive
to provide the information you will need to steer through your educational journey.
With the utmost appreciation for your service, we are happy to provide our military-connected
students with:
- Information about applying for Veteran Educational Benefits and utilizing them
- Best practices for paperwork processes
- Information on upcoming events and club meetings
- Assistance with the College’s processes and other ACM resources to ensure you achieve
your dreams as a student
Using Your Military Educational Benefits:
- Apply online at vets.gov
- Receive your Certificate of Eligibility and bring it to the Veterans Services Office
- Apply for admission to ACM online
- Register for classes and complete the ACM Veterans Services paperwork (Information
Sheet and Request for Certification)
To determine if you are eligible for VA educational benefits, please contact the VA
at 1.888.442.4551
If you need assistance with applying for your benefits, please reach out to Beth Nightengale at 301-784-5209.
Education Benefits
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®This program is available for those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Under Chapter
30, Active Duty members enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months; and are then
entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum
service obligation. Benefits under this program are generally payable for 10 years
following your release from active duty.
Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and EmploymentThe VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program, also known as Chapter
31, helps veterans with service-connected disabilities by offering them services and
assistance to help them prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. As part of
these services, veterans may qualify for educational benefits. Chapter 31 educational
benefits range from on-the-job training to formal training at Applied Technology Centers,
Community Colleges and Universities. Veterans who qualify for services may receive
up to 48 months of training benefits.
Chapter 33: Post 9-11 GI Bill®The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals
with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 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®. The Post-9/11 GI
Bill® also offers some service member the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill® to
dependents.
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® Selected ReserveThis program provides up to 36 months of education benefits to those who are actively
drilling members of the Selected Reserve or National Guard. As long as you are actively
drilling, benefits are generally payable for 14 years after you are determined eligible.
Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)Chapter 1607 is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide
educational 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.
Chapter 35: Survivors' and Dependents' Education BenefitsThis benefit provides education and training opportunities to
eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.
Veterans Scholarships
Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy® & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship benefits members of the following groups or their surviving dependents:
disabled or deceased Veterans, Vietnam War POW/MIAs, disabled or deceased public safety
employees and volunteers, and 9/11 victims. Click link below for specific eligibility
requirements. The deadline for this scholarship is July 15th and applications should
be turned into the Student Financial Aid Office at ACM. The award amount varies, depending
on the amount of your cost of attendance and other financial aid resources.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
If you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, but your parent or guardian was
a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq
or Afghanistan after 9/11/2001, you may be eligible for this grant. You must have
been under 24 years old and enrolled in college, at least part-time, at the time of
your parent's or guardian's death. This is a grant and does not have to be repaid.
The grant award is equal to the Federal Pell Grant maximum award. See the Student Financial Aid Office for instructions on how to apply.
We're here to help
Frequently Asked Questions
ELIGIBILITY
- WHO DETERMINES WHAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR? CAN I TALK TO SOMEONE FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFORMATION
REGARDING MY VA STATUS?
Allegany College of Maryland falls under the VA Regional Processing Office in Buffalo,
NY. Call 888-442-4551 for answers to your questions or submit a question through the
GI Bill® website.
SEMESTER CERTIFICATION
- WHAT IS CERTIFICATION? WHEN SHOULD I TURN IN MY PAPERWORK?
Certification (VA Form 22-1999 - electronically through VAONCE) is the information
your school's certifying official sends to the VA regional processing office. The
student's enrollment dates, training status, and class standing are all part of the
certification. The sooner you turn in your paperwork, the sooner you will start receiving
your monthly benefits. Rule of thumb: Turn in your forms as soon as possible after
class registration to ensure a timely certification.
- WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I CHANGE MY ENROLLMENT?
If you change your enrollment, immediately fill out and submit a change of enrollment
form or send an email to the School Certifying Official. Withdrawing from a course
may reduce your benefits. You may have to repay benefits unless you can show the change
was due to mitigating circumstances. (If you have mitigating circumstances, let the
School Certifying Official know so the information can be added to the updated certification.)
Indicate on the change of enrollment form which classes were dropped and/or added
and the effective date of the change.
- WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MAJOR?
You need to submit the VA Form 22-1995 and a copy of your new academic requirements
or Degree Plan. Your certification cannot be done until this paperwork is received
by the School Certifying Official (SCO). You have 30 days to report the change to
the VA.
GRADES AND THE GI BILL®
- IF I FAIL, WILL THE GI BILL® STILL PAY? MAY I RETAKE A CLASS TO IMPROVE MY GRADES?
If you fail a class, the professor will record your grade and last date of attendance.
This can be determined by the last time homework was received, last test, etc. If
this date is earlier than the end of the semester, the failing grade needs to be reported
to the VA. For example, if the last date the professor received any class work from
you is one month before the class ends and awards you a failing grade, your grade
is reported to the VA and is treated as if you dropped the class on that date. When
processed by the VA, under the Post-9/11 chapter, a debt will be created for the cost
of tuition and fees, BAH and possibly book money paid for that class. Other chapters
would have a debt established for the monthly stipend payment you had received for
that class.
- WHAT IF I'M PLACED ON ACADEMIC PROBATION BECAUSE OF LOW GRADES?
The VA uses the same progress standards listed in the ACM catalog. If your low grades
lead to suspension due to unsatisfactory progress, the suspension will be reported
to the VA. The School Certifying Official is required to report when students are
placed on academic probation.
WHAT THE GI BILL® PAYS FOR
- CAN I TAKE ANY COURSES I WANT?
The VA will only pay for classes that are degree-applicable. This means only classes
that will count toward your degree program.
MISCELLANEOUS
- HOW DO I UPDATE MY DIRECT DEPOSIT INFORMATION OR MY ADDRESS?
Call the VA at 877-838-2778 to update your direct deposit information. Chapter 30,
1606 and 1607 students who verify their attendance online can change their address
and direct deposit information at that site. Other chapter students should call the
VA hotline number at 1-888-442-4551 to update their address.
- WHAT IS ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION AND DO I HAVE TO DO ONE?
Only Chapters 30, 1606 and 1607 must verify at this time. In order to receive your
monthly benefits from the GI Bill®, you must verify your enrollment at the end of
each month. There are two ways to verify; both are available 24 hours a day. Go to
GI Bill® website under Information for Benefit Recipients/WAVE. Telephone 877-823-2378
and use the Interactive Voice Response.
- WHO PAYS MY TUITION AND FEES?
CHAPTERS 30, 35, 1606 AND 1607
It is your responsibility to see that tuition and fees are paid on time. Tuition and
fees are due prior to the start of each semester. Your benefits are paid at the end
of each month for that month.
- CHAPTER 33
Students should supply their Certificate of Eligibility to the School Certifying Official.
A completed and signed LOI form must also be supplied prior to the start of the semester.
The School Certifying Official and student billing office will then determine the
amount due from the VA. If this anticipated payment will not pay the student's bill
completely (i.e., your eligibility level is not 100% or you have housing & meal plans),
the student will be required to either pay the balance and/or complete a deferment
form. Students who do not pay the remaining balance will accrue late fees and could
have all classes dropped for non-payment. VA cannot be charged for late fees or reinstatement
fees.
- CHAPTER 31
When paperwork is received from the VOCREHAB case manager, ACM's Veterans Services
Office will present the Student Billing Office with a voucher to cover degree applicable
classes. A copy will also be provided to the ACM Campus Store so the student can pick
up their books and supplies prior to the start date of classes.
Note: Allegany College of Maryland recognizes that the term "GI Bill®" is a registered
trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about
education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. Government
website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. Allegany College of Maryland meets compliance
with 38 U.S.C. 3679 (Policy Advisory PL 115-407 Section 103). Allegany College of
Maryland will allow an individual to attend or participate in a program of education
if the individual provides the school with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) which
verifies eligibility of benefits under Chapter 31 or Chapter 33. All VA beneficiaries
will be permitted to attend or participate in a program of education without prior
tuition payment by VA1, so long as the beneficiary provides a COE to Allegany College
of Maryland.
