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Veterans Office

Room 1055

The MCC Veterans Office is here to serve all military-connected students in our community. Whether a current servicemember, a veteran, a reservist, or a child or spouse of military personnel, the office is here for you. The office provides current benefit information, connections to community and national programs, and assistance in completing VA forms for educational benefits. The MCC Veterans Office also provides support for the Student Veteran Organization. The MCC Veterans Office can be reached at (231) 777- 0342 or MCCVeteransOffice@muskegoncc.edu.


Our mission

  • Help clear up any uncertainties about VA’s current benefit chapters.

  • Aid in applying for your educational benefits through VA.

  • Help with certification requests to activate your aid for the desired semester attending.

  • Aid with the Military Tuition Assistance programs for active duty and reserve personnel.

Veterans Programs
U.S. military veterans, veteran dependents/ survivors, and Reserve/National Guard personnel may be eligible to receive aid under one or more of the programs listed below. Applications for most federal programs are found at www.va.gov. Applications for the state program may be obtained by contacting the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, Information and forms are also available from the College’s Veterans Office. The Veterans Office will also assist students in completing forms for other veteran benefits.

Federal G.I. Bill® Chapters and Eligibility Requirements
CHAPTER 30 — This federal program provides educational benefits for veterans who entered military service after July 1, 1985. Veterans who entered military service before January 1, 1977 and served actively for at least two years after July 1, 1985 may also be eligible (Montgomery G.I. Bill).

CHAPTER 31 — This federal program provides education benefits to eligible disabled veterans (Veterans Readiness and Employment - VR&E) with at least 10% service connected disability to be considered for Veterans Readiness and Employment. To get more information regarding this program please go to www.va.gov/careersemployment/vocational-rehabilitation.

CHAPTER 33 — The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

CHAPTER 35 (DEA) — This federal program provides educational benefits to children (between the ages of 18 and 26), spouses, and widows/ widowers of totally disabled or certain deceased veterans.

CHAPTER 1606 — This federal program provides educational benefits to persons who entered a six year Reserve or National Guard obligation after July 1, 1985 (Selected Reserve/National Guard G.I. Bill®).
For more information visit www.va.gov/education

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Michigan Child of Veterans Tuition Grant
This state program provides benefits for children (between the ages of 16 - 26 years) of certain totally disabled or deceased Michigan veterans. Eligible students must enroll at least half-time, and may receive up to $2,800 per year for tuition and class fees. (Formerly, Children of Veterans Tuition Grant). The grant is administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. More information available at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/ programs/children-of-veterans-tuition-grant, or call 888-447-2687. Assistance is also available by making an appointment in the Veterans Office.

MINGSTAP
Public Act 259 of 2014 established the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP) to provide tuition assistance to members of the Michigan National Guard who are attending any public or private college, university, vocational school, technical school or trade school located in Michigan. Currently, qualified soldiers can apply for up to $6,000 in tuition assistance per year. For more information about the program, please visit www.michigan.gov/dmva/about/ mingstap or call (517) 481-7640.

Responsibilities for Students with VA & Military Education Benefits (GI Bill®)
United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the United States Department of Defense (DoD), the State of Michigan and the Michigan National Guard offer educational benefits to qualified veteran and military students and/or their dependents provided the beneficiary meets guidelines put forth by the program. To use these educational benefits, students must fulfill the responsibilities below.

  1. I agree to request official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, including the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force, be sent to the MCC Records Office for evaluation.

  2. I agree to choose a valid program at MCC, and understand my benefits will only pay for classes that are within that program. If appropriate, I will officially change my program of study at the Counseling and Advising Center and notify the Veterans Office. I understand that only courses outlined in my program of study will be certified for payment, if the courses are within VA guidelines.

  3. I agree to complete a Certification Request for VA Educational Benefits online in MyMCC for every semester I wish to draw VA Educational Benefits. I understand that submitting this request less than eight weeks prior to the term beginning will likely delay my benefit payment.

  4. I will meet the MCC Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) and maintain at minimum a cumulative 2.0 GPA (detailed SAP requirements are available on page 319). I understand that if my GPA falls below 2.0 and/or I do not meet SAP, I will be placed on probation and be allowed one semester to get back into good standing. If I fail to do so, the VA will be notified of unsatisfactory progress and I understand that my benefits will be suspended.

  5. I will complete the classes I start. I understand that if I stop attending class, withdraw, or drop classes, a debt will be established in my name.

  6. I understand that the VA does not permit a course to be repeated in which I have earned a grade of D or better except in special circumstances where a higher grade is specifically required for me to graduate with my degree.

  7. I understand that taking courses that start late or end early in the standard semester will impact my pay.

  8. It is my responsibility to self-verify attendance monthly through www.gibill. va.gov/wave/ (Ch 33, Ch 35, MINGSTAP & CVTG excluded).

  9. I will maintain responsible communication to inform the Veterans Office of any updates or correspondence pertaining to my VA educational benefits to ensure accuracy and efficiency, and I will stay up to date with information posted on the MyMCC Veterans Portal page.

For additional information regarding VA, certification, paperwork, or general information please visit the MCC Veterans website at www.muskegoncc.edu/veterans and in MyMCC.

Veteran Residence
See Residency Policy on page 12.

VA Student Payment Dates
Students who are receiving VA Education Benefits are expected to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline date established by the College each semester, with exception to the following:

  • Students receiving Post 9/11 Benefits and have a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Statement of Benefits on file in the MCC Veterans Office will receive a deferment on tuition and fee payment until payment arrives from the VA. Students shall complete a Certification Request in their MyMCC account each semester to indicate plans to use Post 9/11 Benefits.

  • Students participating in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Chapter 31, and have a current VAF 28-1905 form on file from their Voc Rehab Counselor will receive a deferment on tuition and fee payment until payment arrives. Student shall complete a Certification Request in their MyMCC account each semester to indicate plans to use funding from Vocational Rehabilitation to cover tuition and fees payments.

  • Students using Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Chapter 31) shall be entitled to all privileges as a Muskegon Community College student, and shall not be penalized for payments arriving after payment due date so long as Certification Request is submitted by payment due date each semester.