The Grace College Military Program is equipped and eager to assist you as you respond to His calling in the next season of your life

Chap. 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill

Chap 33 provides a housing allowance, tuition and up to $1,000/year stipend for books, among other benefits.

How to Apply for Chap. 33 -Post 9/11 GI Bill

IMPORTANT – If you are transferring benefits to a spouse or dependent, you must determine your options. Otherwise, if you are using you own benefits, proceed with the instructions below:

• Complete VA Application
  Go to the VONAPP website and fill out the appropriate form. Once you fill out the online form and submit it, you will need to print a copy and send it to us so we will have it on file. To verify you have successfully submitted your form, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out to send us. Receiving your COE from the department of Veterans Affairs may take up to six weeks (please note: we can still move forward with your certification).
• Fax or Email Your Certificate of Eligibility to Grace College
  The Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Office will process the VA form and will send a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the veteran. Once the COE is received, please fax or email the document to Grace College and Theological Seminary’s Admissions. Fax: 574-372-5120 or email Scott Shaffer.
  
  Note: Credit cannot be applied to the student account without this document; although, we will take VA processing time into consideration, therefore allowing the student to move forward with registration.
• Grace College and Theological Seminary will certify enrollment to the VA
  Once we receive your COE, Grace College and Theological Seminary’s VA Certifying Official will submit an enrollment certification to the VA.
• VA will process Enrollment Certification and release payment

The VA will process the certification and will release funds for tuition and fees to the school. The VA will also pay the veteran for the book stipend as well as the students predetermined BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) entitlement.

Chap. 30 - Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)

Receive as much as $1,368 monthly as a full time student (tiered at lower rates for less-than-full time) for a maximum of 36 months of education benefits.

How to Apply for Chap. 30 -Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)

• Complete VA Application
  Go to the VONAPP website and fill out the appropriate form. Once you fill out the online form and submit it, you will need to print a copy and send it to us so we will have it on file. To verify you have successfully submitted your form, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out to send us.
• Finalize your VONAPP for GI Bill
  When you complete your application electronically, VA furnished you with the following: (1) a unique confirmation number for your individual claim and (2) the address of the VA Office (Education Regional Processing Office) that will process your claim. You need to write this information down and keep it in a safe location. You need to finalize your Internet submission by sending in your completed signature page to the address provided through the online application.
• Fax or email a copy of your VONAPP to Grace College and Theological Seminary
  Fax a copy to 574-372-5120 or email a copy to Scott Shaffer. You will then be contacted by an academic advisor to discuss registration.
• Finalize your Registration and Payment with Grace College
  Please remember that payment arrangements must be made with the Grace College Business Office prior to the start of the semester. You can contact the Business Office at 574-372-5100 x6075. Your VA eligibility will be considered as you arrange payment.
• Grace College & Theological Seminary will certify enrollment to the VA
  Our VA Certifying Official will submit your enrollment certification electronically to the VA after you have registered. Once completed, you will receive email confirmation indicating the dates reported and current VA processing times. The average processing time is 6-8 weeks.
• VA processes enrollment certification and posts for verification
  Once your enrollment certification has been processed, the VA will then post your enrollment information on the VA Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system.
• Verify enrollment on WAVE
  You will need to verify your enrollment on the VA system in one of two ways:
  1. Online — Go to WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment)
  2. By Phone — Call the VA Verification phone line at 1-877-823-2378
  Note: Your enrollment information will not post on WAVE until the certification has been processed by the VA. Verification will need to be completed on the first day of every month during the term to release the pay for the previous month.

Chap. 31 - VA Vocational Rehabilitation

"Chapter 31" is a vocational rehabilitation program that serves eligible active duty service members and veterans with service-connected disabilities. This program promotes the development of suitable, gainful employment by providing vocational and personal adjustment counseling, training assistance, a monthly subsistence allowance during active training, and employment assistance after training. Independent living services may also be provided to advanced vocational potential for eventual job seekers, or to enhance the independence of eligible participants who are presently unable to work.

How to Apply for Chap. 31 -VA Vocational Rehabilitation

• Determine if you are Eligible
  Please contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 to determine your eligibility for the program.
• Connect with your VA Counselor
  Once you have been approved to receive VA benefits, you will be assigned a VA education counselor in your state.
• Direct your VA Counselor to issue Authorization to Grace College and Theological Seminary
  Your VA counselor must issue VA Form 28-1905 to Grace College and Theological Seminary authorizing you to register for courses in a given term or year. VA forms should be faxed directly to 574-372-5120.
• Contact your VA counselor to order your text books
  A list of text books can be obtained through the Grace College portal.

Chap. 35 - Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

Chap. 35 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 as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. Spouses may also take correspondence courses.

AS OF MAY 2010: The Fry Scholarship under Chapter 35 extends benefits to children of servicemen and women who were killed in the line of duty during the Global War on Terror.

How to Apply for Chap. 35 -Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

• Complete VA paperwork
  Go to the VONAPP website and fill out the appropriate form. Once you fill out the online form and submit it, you will need to print a copy and send it to us so we will have it on file. To verify you have successfully submitted your form, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out to send us.
• Fax or email a copy of your VONAPP to Grace College and Theological Seminary
  Fax a copy to 574-372-5120 or email a copy to Scott Shaffer. You will then be contacted by an academic advisor to discuss registration.
• You will be contacted by an academic advisor to discuss registration
  Please remember that you will need to make payment arrangements with the business office prior to the start of the semester. Students eligible for VA benefits will receive their entitlement directly from the VA after the school term activates.
• Grace College and Theological Seminary will certify enrollment to the VA once you have registered for classes. Once completed, you will receive email confirmation indicating the dates reported and current VA processing times. The average processing time is 6-8 weeks.
• VA will process certification & issue payment
  Monthly checks will be issued at the beginning of each month for the previous month. Note: The government will only pay for courses that are relevant to the degree the student is enrolled in.

Fry Scholarship

The children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001 can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009.

The scholarship, which is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, is named after Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry, 28, a Texas native who died in Iraq in 2006 while disarming an explosive. He was survived by three young children.

“The Fry scholarship represents this nation’s solemn commitment to care for children whose mothers and fathers paid the ultimate price for our country,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

VA began accepting applications for the Fry scholarship on May 1, 2010. For more information or assistance applying, call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), or visit the VA GI Bill Website.

VA estimates nearly 1,500 children will receive benefits under the Fry scholarship program in 2010. Recipients generally have 15 years to use their benefits, beginning on their 18th birthdays.

Eligible children attending institutions of higher learning may receive payments to cover their tuition and fees up to the highest amounts charged to public, in-state students at undergraduate institutions in each state. A monthly housing allowance and stipend for books and supplies are also paid under this program.

VA will began paying benefits under the Fry scholarships on Aug. 1, 2010. Eligible participants may receive benefits retroactively to August 1, 2009, the same day the Post-9/11 GI Bill took effect.

Eligible children may be married. Recipients are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100 percent level.

When dependents also serve in the military, the reserves, or are Veterans in their own right, eligible for education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty, the Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), then they would relinquish their eligibility under those programs to receive benefits under a Fry scholarship.

Chap. 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserves)

Chapter 1606 is an educational assistance program for individuals serving in the National Guard or Reserve. Such duty typically entails drilling one weekend per month and attending a two-week Annual Training period each year. Chapter 1607 provides a higher payment rate than the 1606 benefit. Therefore, eligible National Guard and Reserve members should elect to use the Chapter 1607 benefit program.

How to Apply for Chap. 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserves)

• Complete VA Application
  Go to the VONAPP website and complete the application. Once you fill out the online form and submit it, you will need to print a copy and send it to us so we will have it on file. To verify you have successfully submitted your form, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out to send us.
  
  Fax or email a copy of your VONAPP to Grace College and Theological Seminary.
  
  Fax: 574-372-5120 or email Scott Shaffer. You will then be contacted by an academic advisor to discuss registration.
  
  You will then be contacted by an Academic Advisor to discuss registration.
• Grace College and Theological Seminary will certify enrollment to the VA
  Our VA Certifying Official will submit your enrollment certification electronically to the VA after you have registered. Once completed, you will receive email confirmation indicating the dates reported and current VA processing times. The average processing time is 6-8 weeks.
• VA processes enrollment certification and posts for verification
  Once your enrollment certification has been processed, the VA will then post your enrollment information on the VA Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system.
• Verify enrollment on WAVE
  You will need to verify your enrollment on the VA system in one of two ways:
  1. Online — Go to www.gibill.va.gov and click on WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment)
  2. By Phone — Call the VA Verification phone line at 1-877-823-2378
  Note: Your enrollment information will not post on WAVE until the certification has been processed by the VA. Verification will need to be completed on the first day of every month during the term to release the pay for the previous month.

Chap. 1607 - Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)

Chap. 1607 is available to all reservists who, after September 11, 2001, complete 90 days or more of active duty service "in support of contingency operations." This benefit provides reservists return from active duty with up to 80% of the active duty (Chapter 30) G.I. Bill benefits as long as they remain active participants in the reserves.

How to Apply for Chap. 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)

• Complete VA paperwork
  Go to the VONAPP website and complete the application. Once you fill out the online form and submit it, you will need to print a copy and send it to us so we will have it on file. To verify you have successfully submitted your form, a confirmation number will appear on the bottom of each page of the form you print out to send us.
• Fax or email a copy of your VONAPP to Grace College and Theological Seminary
  Fax: 574-372-5120 or email Scott Shaffer. You will then be contacted by an academic advisor to discuss registration.
• Grace College and Theological Seminary will certify enrollment to the VA
  Our VA Certifying Official will submit your enrollment certification electronically to the VA after you have registered. Once completed, you will receive email confirmation indicating the dates reported and current VA processing times. The average processing time is 6-8 weeks.
• VA processes enrollment certification and posts for verification
  Once your enrollment certification has been processed, the VA will then post your enrollment information on the VA Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system.
• Verify enrollment on WAVE
  You will need to verify your enrollment on the VA system in one of two ways:
  1. Online — Go to www.gibill.va.gov and click on WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment)
  2. By Phone — Call the VA Verification phone line at 1-877-823-2378
  Note: Your enrollment information will not post on WAVE until the certification has been processed by the VA. Verification will need to be completed on the first day of every month during the term to release the pay for the previous month.