Veterans Services

• 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 at https://gibill.custhelp.com/

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.

• 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 Bookstore so the student can pick up their books and supplies prior to the start date of classes.