VA Information and FAQ
www.va.gov
Doane Lincoln/Grand Island VA Representative
This includes undergraduate and all graduate programs.
Angie Klasek, Services Coordinator, 402.466.4774
Susan Rocker, VA Certification Officer, 402.466.4774
Doane Crete VA Representative
Denise Ellis, Registrar, 402.826.6771
How do I get my benefits started? First you need to complete an application. An electronic form with complete directions is online at VONAPP. If you are claiming education benefits as a dependent of a veteran, or if you have previously used VA education benefits, you can also use VONAPP.
Veterans should provide member copy # 4 of the DD Form 214. Reservists/National Guard soldiers should obtain a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from your unit administrative official. These forms also should be turned into your campus VA representative.
What chapter am I? How much money am I eligible for? Education programs administered by VA include:
Chapter | Who Is Eligible - Highlights | Type of Benefit - Highlights |
Post-9/11 GI Bill or
Chapter 33 | - Served an aggregate of 90 days active duty service on or after 9/10/01
- To qualify for full benefit student must have served at least 36 months active duty, otherwise pro-rated based on length of service
- Dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement | - Tuition & fees paid directly to school not to exceed $17,500 per academic year
- Monthly housing allowance based on 68333 zip code (paid to student)
- $1000 Annual book & supply stipend (paid to student) |
Yellow Ribbon Program provision of Post-9/11 GI Bill above Doane is a participant | - Served an aggregate period of active duty after 9/10/01, of at least 36 months OR
- Honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability
- Dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement (DOD forms need to be completed by service member then VONAPP by dependent student) | - Tuition & fees paid directly to school up to the $17,500 per academic year. The remaining difference in cost will be split between Doane and the VA for full tuition coverage
- Monthly housing allowance based on 68333 zip code (paid to student)
- $1000 Annual book & supply stipend (paid to student) |
| Fry Scholarship provision of Post-9/11 GI Bill above | - NEW applications available 5/1/10
- Children of an active duty service member in the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty
| - Tuition & fees paid directly to school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition & fees at a public IHL
- Monthly housing allowance
- Annual book & supply stipend |
MGIB-AD or
Chapter 30
Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty | - Active duty after 6/30/85
- Four different categories define eligibility
- Not transferrable to dependents | - 36 months of education benefits
- Payment varies on length of service and training
- 10 years to use benefit
- Service members can contribute an additional $600 to their account (buy up)
- Can have a 'kicker' incentive for enlisting |
MGIB-SR or
Chapter 1606
Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve | - Active reserve/guard
- 6 year obligation to Reserve
- Complete active duty training and AIT (advanced individual training)
- Not transferrable to dependents | - 36 months of education benefits
- Payment varies on length of service and training
- 14 years to use benefit
- Can have a 'kicker' incentive for enlisting |
| TAP/FTA - Federal Tuition Assistance Program | - Currently serving in the Guard | - Paid directly to school
- Doane sends a bill to appropriate Educational Representative
- Doane Business Office contact Glenda Kjolhede |
REAP or
Chapter 1607
Reserve
Educational
Assistance
Program | - Member of the Reserve component called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (90 consecutive days)
- Not transferrable to dependents | - 36 months of education benefits
- Rates vary based on the number of days of continuous service on active duty
- 10 years to use benefit
- Service members can contribute an additional $600 to their account (buy up)
- Can have a 'kicker' incentive for enlisting |
VEAP or
Chapter 32
Veterans
Education
Assistance
Program | - Active between 1/1/77 and 6/30/85 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in the program
- Matched on a $2:$1 basis | - 1 to 36 months depending on the number of monthly contributions |
DEA or
Chapter 35
Dependent
Education
Assistance | - Son, daughter (between 18 & 26) or spouse of veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled 100% as the result of a service connected disability | - Children receive up to 45 months of benefits
- Spouses generally have 10 years eligibility |
For additional information about these chapters like payment rates, please visit the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm.
Is my VA money sent to me or Doane? It depends on the program. VA checks are sent directly to the student at the current mailing address on record or by direct deposit for chapters 30, 32, 35, 1606, 1607. Direct deposit is available for all programs except Chapter 35. You can call toll free 1-877-838-2778 to sign up or change your direct deposit. The Post-9/11 Bill, Chapter 33, benefits will be sent directly to Doane. Education benefits are paid in arrears. Please remember that it is your responsibility to satisfy your financial obligation to Doane College.
How long does is take to receive my money? The first time you complete the Application for VA Education Benefits it will take about 8-10 weeks for processing to be completed by the St. Louis Regional Processing Office. At extremely busy times, such as the beginning of the fall term, processing may exceed 10 weeks. You will receive a Certificate of Eligibility award letter from VA when processing has been completed. Please read and keep this document since it contains important information about your benefit (eligibility percentage) as well as instructions on how to self-verify your enrollment (if required). A copy of this letter also needs to be given to your campus VA representative.
How often does Doane report my enrollment to the VA? Doane submits an enrollment certification report to the VA each term/semester you are enrolled. These reports are done after census. Check the academic calendar to find the census date for the current term/semester.
After becoming eligible for benefits, do I have to do anything? Chapters 30, 1606, and 1607 need to verify attendance each month via the WAVE system (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment). Monthly payments are not dispersed until this is done.
I haven't received my money and I am concerned whom should I contact? You may call VA's toll-free number 1-888-442-4551 or submit a secure e-mail through the VA Inquiry System at www.gibill.va.gov. You can select the "Ask a Question" link to set up an e-mail account. Your inquiries will be answered by a VA employee generally within 7-10 days.
How much time do I have to use my money? This varies based on the education program for which you establish eligibility. Each education chapter is unique, and the entitlement-time period to use the benefit is established by law. There are fact sheets for each education chapter at the gibill website.
Can I receive Financial Aid and VA benefits? Yes.
I need a refresher/developmental/remedial course to be successful in school. Will the VA cover it? Yes
I received an F in a course. Will the VA pay for me to retake it? Yes, the VA will pay to retake a course once. If you are unsuccessful twice, the VA generally will not pay for a third repeat.
I received a D in a course. Will the VA pay for me to retake it? This answer will vary depending on the circumstances. It is best to check with your campus VA representative for details. Questions the VA campus rep will consider include if you need to raise your GPA to get to a 2.0 for graduation. Also if repeating the course is counted in your full-time load or if it is in addition to your full-time load.
I am not doing well in a course and think I should withdraw from it. Will this impact my VA? This depends on if withdrawing from the course impacts your academic load, changing your status for example from full-time to part-time. If you do withdraw from a course and your load changes, you need to submit a statement explaining the circumstances. If you are having difficulty with a particular course, the VA does have a tutorial assistance supplemental benefit.
I am in the Reserves full-time and receive tuition assistance. Am I eligible for VA benefits too? Eligibility is established by the Department of Defense, not VA. Tuition assistance that is State-funded is not considered a duplication of benefit. Check with your National Guard Education Service Officer if you have questions.
I am in the Guard full-time, am I eligible for VA benefits? Eligibility is established by the Department of Defense, not VA. Tuition assistance that is State-funded is not considered a duplication of benefit. Check with your National Guard Education Service Officer if you have questions.
I am Chapter 35 and know some students get a tuition waiver. Am I eligible for that? This is a State benefit established by a Nebraska statute. Tuition waivers are only available through public post-secondary institutions in Nebraska. This does not include Doane. For more information on tuition waivers call the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs at 402-471-2458.
I'm supposed to get a kicker. but I haven't yet? Kickers, or sign up incentives, are paid directly to the veteran/student. Please contact your Education Services Officer for details.
How much money are Vocational Rehabilitation students eligible for? Voc Rehab students receive funds for tuition as well as a living allowance. The exact benefit will vary per student.
Where do I find more information on Voc Rehab? For more details see your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), campus VA representative, or visit the Voc Rehab web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm.
Support Services
Assimilating into college life can be difficult after serving in the armed services. Doane and the surrounding community has many resources available to assist you in this transition.
Doane Crete Academic Support Center
Doane Crete Career Services
Doane Crete Counseling Center VA site on Mental Health issues
Doane Crete Writing Center
Financial Aid for Doane
Lincoln Vet Center Lincoln Community Based Outpatient Clinic
ROTC Courses
Military science courses are available to Doane students through a cooperative program with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Military science is not an academic major, but credits earned in military science courses apply toward graduation from Doane. Courses are taught by UNL military science personnel and are primarily offered on the UNL campus (Army courses may be offered at Doane if we have at least 6 students enrolled).
Upon successful completion of the Advanced Course of ROTC and upon recommendation by the military science faculty at UNL, students may be commissioned during the graduation ceremony when they earn their Doane degree. Army ROTC students are commissioned as Second Lieutenant, US Army Reserve or Regular Army. Air Force ROTC students are commissioned as Second Lieutenant, US Air Force.
UNL Army ROTC Student enroll in courses at Doane.
UNL Air Force ROTC Students enroll in courses at Doane and UNL. Students have to apply to UNL as a Visiting Student so they have access to Black Board.
Other helpful links:
Today's GI Bill
Department of Defense Education Activity
ACE Military Guide Online
Army Transcript