Veteran Affairs

Am I eligible for military tuition assistance?

To receive VA education benefits, you must be admitted to a degree or certificate program at Southeastern Community College and meet all enrollment and academic requirements. Benefit payments are sent directly to you each month and no advance payments are not available.

For help determining your eligibility, contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or visit the VA Education Benefits webpage.

What benefits are available?

• Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (Chapter 30): Provides education benefits for individuals who entered active duty after June 30, 1985, and served continuously for three years, or two years followed by four years in the Selected Reserve. Participants must have contributed $1,200 during their first year of service.
• Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606): Offers education assistance for members of the Reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Air National Guard. Participants must have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. No contribution is required.
• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35): Provides education benefits to eligible spouses and children of veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability.
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31): Offers education and training benefits for veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 20%. Benefits may include tuition, books, supplies, and a monthly stipend. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Where do I start?

Southeastern Community College VA Benefit Checklist

Courses must be required for your approved program or major and cannot have been previously completed with a passing grade at SCC or any other college. All course substitutions must be properly documented on an approved Course Substitution Form.

Developmental courses must be required based on placement test results. The VA and Financial Aid will only cover classes that are part of your declared major.

Students are financially responsible for tuition and fees, as well as repayment of any VA education benefits received for courses that do not meet the criteria listed above.

Step 1 | Apply to Southeastern Community College

1. Visit NC Residency Determination Service to obtain your Residency Determination Number (RDN). Use this login information when completing your SCC admission application.
2. Follow the Steps to Apply to complete your admission application to Southeastern Community College.
3. Request your official high school transcript.
4. Request official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Transcripts must be sealed (unopened) to be considered official. Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
   Southeastern Community College
   4564 Chadbourn Hwy
   P.O. Box 151
   Whiteville, NC 28472
   Electronic transcripts are also accepted. The VA requires transcripts from every post-secondary school attended.
   SCC will not submit your certification until all transcripts have been received.
5. Provide a copy of your DD-214 form.
6. Once accepted, set up your SCC email account using the instructions included in your acceptance packet.

Step 2 | VA Benefits

1. If you have never applied for VA education benefits, complete the application at VA Education Benefits. Provide a copy of your eligibility letter to the SCC VA Certifying Official and have your DD-214 ready when completing the application.
   Please note: It may take up to 60 days (6–8 weeks) for the VA to process and approve a new application.
2. To apply, you will need:
   • Social Security Number
   • Bank account information (routing and account numbers for direct deposit)
   • Education and military history
   • Basic information about the school or training facility you plan to attend
3. If you have already applied and have your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), contact Sheila Dockery at 910-788-6250.
4. If you have used your education benefits at another school, complete a Change of Program or Place of Training form:
   • VA Form 22-1995 – for Post-9/11 (GI Bill® / Chapter 33)
   • VA Form 22-5495 – for Spouses and Dependents (Chapter 35)

   It’s recommended to complete these forms online through your VA.gov account.

5. If you are using Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) benefits, you must have at least one seated class and be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours to receive the full amount under your eligibility. To qualify for the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), you must take at least 7 credit hours to receive a prorated amount.
   These requirements apply to standard terms. Students taking only online courses will receive an MHA based on one-half of the national average, which is lower.
6. If you are using Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) benefits, verify with the VA Coordinator that your authorization form (VA Form 28-1905) has been received from your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
7. Students using any other chapter (30, 35, 1606, or 1607) must pay tuition up front if not receiving financial aid. SCC offers a payment plan. You can pay for classes online at sccnc.edu or contact the Business Office at 910-788-2378 for more information.
8. If you are using Chapter 30 benefits, you must verify your attendance each month. You can do this in one of two ways:
   1. Call the VA at 1-877-823-2378
   2. Log in to the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system to verify attendance at the end of each month.

Step 3 | Financial Aid (Not Required, but Recommended)

1. Apply each year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
2. Need help? You can get assistance from SCC’s Financial Aid Office. Sign up online at fafsa.gov or call 910-788-6214 to schedule an appointment.
3. Complete all paperwork requested by the Financial Aid Office. You will not be awarded financial aid until all required documentation is submitted and approved.

How do I keep receiving these payments?

Renewal of your VA education benefits is not automatic. You must contact SCC’s Veteran Affairs office each term after registering for classes to re-activate your benefits and prevent a lapse in payment.

Be sure to notify Veteran Affairs if you change your major, withdraw from a course, or drop below the number of hours originally certified to the VA.

Students receiving benefits under Chapters 30 and 1606 must verify their enrollment each month to continue receiving payments. You can verify your attendance in one of the following ways:

• Sign and return the Student Verification Form (VA Form 22-8979) mailed to you, or
• Use the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system by calling 1-877-823-2378, or
• Visit the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) website.

What if I used some of my benefits at another institution?

If you have remaining entitlement, contact SCC’s Veteran Affairs office for the appropriate VA application form needed to re-activate your benefits. You may also need to request that your prior institution submit a notice of transfer to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

For additional information, visit the VA Education Transfer of Benefits webpage.

Are there VA Work-Study jobs?

Yes. Students who are enrolled at least three-quarter time and receiving VA education benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606 may qualify for part-time VA Work-Study employment. These positions are tax-free and pay the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher.

Eligible students may work on campus or with approved organizations such as Veterans Affairs facilities or local government offices. More information is available on the VA Work-Study Program webpage.