Veterans Benefits

April M. Calale, VA Certifying Official
E-mail: april.calale@cortland.edu

New Students
Transfer Students
Continuing Students
VA Forms and Resources
Meet your Financial Aid Advisor

SUNY Cortland is proud to serve the men and women in uniform and to assist them with their educational goals. The Financial Advisement Office provides information and advice and processes the paperwork for the certification of Veterans Affairs educational benefits. All students eligible for VA support must file application forms according to their specific situations.

Veterans education benefits are considered a resource in the financial aid package, and adjustments to other aid will be made as required by law. To find out what education benefits you qualify for and for an application, please visit www.gibill.va.gov.

New Students

What to send to SUNY Cortland’s VA Certifying Official

1. Copy of completed application for Veterans education benefits
2. Copy of member 4 DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
3. Copy of Kicker Program documentation (if applicable)
4. Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) if you are in the Reserves
5. Certificate of Eligibility (you will receive this from the Buffalo Regional VA office once a determination on your eligibility is made)
6. Copy of the Veterans Fact Sheet, refer to VA Forms and Resources.
   

Chapter 30 (Veterans GI Bill)

This educational assistance program is available to fully honorably discharged veterans who meet the eligibility criteria explained in detail on the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at  Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD).

Chapter 1606 (Reserves/National Guard)

This program may be available if you are a member of a selected reserve. More eligibility information on Chapter 1606 is provided on the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#MGIBSR.

Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

More eligibility information on Chapter 1607 is provided on the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#REAP or at www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1607/REAP_FAQ.htm.

For Chapters 30, 1606 and 1607: If you have not applied for VA education benefits, you will need to do so by completing VA Form 22-1990, which can be done online. Using the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) Web site is faster than completing a paper application. If you prefer a paper application, refer to VA Forms and Resources.

Chapter 35 (Survivor’s and Dependent’s Educational Assistance program  DEA)

The spouse, child, stepchild or adopted child of a veteran who is deceased (service-connected) or who is 100 percent disabled (service-connected) may qualify for Chapter 35 benefits. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#DEA.

You will need to complete VA Form 22-5490, which also can be done online. If you prefer a paper application, refer to VA Forms and Resources.

Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation)

Any veteran receiving at least 10 percent permanent, service-connected disability from the VA can apply for this benefit. Approval is made on a case-by-case basis and is managed at the state level. To learn more about or to apply for Chapter 31 benefits in New York state, call (800) 827-1000.

You must fill out VA Form 22-1900. However, it is advised that you call the VA rehabilitation counselor first. To learn more about or to apply for Chapter 31 benefits in New York state, call (800) 827-1000.

Scholarships and Awards for Veterans

For further information about scholarships and awards for veterans and to apply, please visit the Military Corner. You also may call (888) 697-4372 or send an e-mail to militarycorner@hesc.com.

Certification of Enrollment

For all chapter benefits — with the exception of Chapter 31 — our certifying official must notify the VA of your enrollment each semester. It is your responsibility to contact our office once you are fully registered for a term. Your enrollment will be certified with the VA shortly thereafter.

Each month that you qualify for benefits, you must contact the VA for enrollment certification. This should be done online the last day of each month at Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E.). Follow the W.A.V.E. link to complete electronic certification or call (877) 823-2378. If your enrollment certification has been submitted and you would like to check on the status of your payment, you can call the New York state regional office at (888) 442-4551.

Please Note

It is your responsibility to notify the VA certifying official when withdrawing from or adding a course. Bring a copy of your official withdrawal showing the date(s) of withdrawal to the Financial Advisement Office. If you plan on attending Winter Session or Summer Sessions I or II, you need to contact the VA certifying official as well. Send e-mail to april.calale@cortland.edu.

Transfer Students

Transfer of Benefits

Students who had been receiving veterans benefits at another college must complete a Change Program/Place of Training form to receive benefits at SUNY Cortland:

• VA form 22-1995 for Veterans, Servicepersons and Members of the Selected Reserve or
• VA form 22-5495 for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance

These forms can be completed online by using the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) Web site. A copy of the form needs to be sent to the VA certifying official at SUNY Cortland.

What to send SUNY Cortland's VA Certifying Official

1. Copy of member 4 DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
2. Copy of Change of Program/Place of Training form
3. Copy of Certificate of Eligibility
4. Copy of Veterans Fact Sheet refer to VA Forms and Resources 

Chapter 30 (Veterans GI Bill)

Educational assistance program available to fully honorably discharged veterans who meet the eligibility criteria explained in detail on the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD).

Chapter 1606 (Reserves/National Guard)

This program may be available if you are a member of a selected reserve. More eligibility information on Chapter 1606 is provided on the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#MGIBSR.

Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

More eligibility information on Chapter 1607 is provided on the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#REAP or at www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1607/REAP_FAQ.htm.

Chapter 35 (Survivor's and Dependents Educational Assistance Program - DEA)

The spouse, child, stepchild or adopted child of a veteran who is deceased (service-connected) or who is 100% disabled (service-connected) may qualify for Chapter 35 benefits. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#DEA

Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation)

Any veteran receiving at least 10 percent permanent, service-connected disability from the VA can apply for this benefit. Approval is made on a case-by-case basis and is managed at the state level. To learn more about or to apply for Chapter 31 benefits in New York state, call (800) 827-1000.

Scholarships And Awards for Veterans

For further information about scholarships and awards for veterans and to apply, please visit the Military Corner. For questions call (888) 697-4372 or send an e-mail to militarycorner@hesc.com.

Certification of Enrollment

For all chapter benefits — with the exception of Chapter 31 — our certifying official must notify the VA of your enrollment each semester. It is your responsibility to contact our office once you are fully registered for a term. Your enrollment will be certified with the VA shortly thereafter.

Each month that you qualify for benefits, you must contact the VA for enrollment certification. This should be done online the last day of each month at Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E.). Follow the W.A.V.E. link to complete electronic certification or call (877) 823-2378. If your enrollment certification has been submitted and you would like to check on the status of your payment, you can call the New York state regional office at (888) 442-4551.

Please Note

It is your responsibility to notify the VA certifying official when withdrawing from or adding a course. Bring a copy of your official withdrawal showing the date(s) of withdrawal to the Financial Advisement Office. If you plan on attending Winter Session or Summer Sessions I or II, you need to contact the VA certifying official as well. Send e-mail to april.calale@cortland.edu.

Continuing Students

Continuing Students are asked to contact the VA certifying official immediately when they have registered for classes, not only for the Fall and Spring semesters but also if they are planning on taking any Winter Session or Summer Session I or II classes as well.

Certification of Enrollment

For all chapter benefits — with the exception of Chapter 31 — our certifying official must notify the VA of your enrollment each semester. It is your responsibility to contact our office once you are fully registered for a term. Your enrollment will be certified with the VA shortly thereafter.

Each month that you qualify for benefits, you must contact the VA for enrollment certification. This should be done online the last day of each month at Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E.). Follow the W.A.V.E. link to complete electronic certification or call (877) 823-2378. If your enrollment certification has been submitted and you would like to check on the status of your payment, you can call the New York state regional office at (888) 442-4551.

Please Note

It is your responsibility to notify the VA certifying official when withdrawing from or adding a course. Bring a copy of your official withdrawal showing the date(s) of withdrawal to the Financial Advisement Office. If you plan on attending Winter Session or Summer Sessions I or II, you need to contact the VA certifying official as well. Send e-mail to april.calale@cortland.edu.

Veterans education benefits are considered a resource in the financial aid package, and adjustments to other aid will be made as required by law. The Financial Advisement Office at SUNY Cortland certifies Veterans benefits.

For more information, visit www.gibill.va.gov.