Veterans Educational Benefits


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Veteran Education Benefits

The determination of eligibility for veteran educational benefits rests with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veterans Certifying Official helps veterans and other eligible students to access their benefits by certifying their enrollment each semester.

Education Benefit Programs

  • Montgomery GI Bill®(Chapter 30)
    • Chapter 30 is an educational program for individuals initially entering active duty on or after July 01, 1985 and for certain individuals on active duty before July 01, 1985. Certain other veterans may be eligible under other categories if they were voluntarily or involuntarily separated from the service as a result of a reduction in personnel.
  • Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31)

    • The VA administers the Vocational Rehabilitation program for veterans who have incurred or aggravated a service connected disability which entitles them to VA disability compensation; and are in need of vocational rehabilitation because their disability creates an employment handicap.

      Entitlement for vocational rehabilitation services is determined on an individual basis following an evaluation of the veterans interests, aptitudes, education, work experience, and vocational abilities.

  • Post-9/11 GI-Bill® (Chapter 33)
    • The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to 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.
  • Montgomery GI Bill® for Select Reserve (Chapter 1606)
    • Chapter 1606 is an educational program for active members of the Select Reserve. Select Reserve components of the Ready Reserve include the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. Chapter 1606 eligibility is determined by the Department of Defense or the Department of Transportation (Coast Guard), not by the VA. Basic eligibility requires a six year obligation to serve in the Select Reserve and Satisfactory participation in required Select Reserve Training.

For a detailed explanation of each of the programs, go to VA Benefits Page (https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/).

NOTE: ‘‘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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”

Getting Certified at WNC

If a student wishes to use VA Education Benefits at Western Nevada College, he or she must complete the following steps:

  1. Complete the application for VA education benefits. This application can be completed throughVA Benefits Page (https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/). After completing the application,  if eligible for VA Education Benefits  the Department of Veteran Affairs will generate a Certificate of Eligibility and mail to the applicant.
  2. Complete the WNC Application for Admission (https://wnc.edu/index.php) and all required new student steps.
  3. Send all transcripts from previous colleges and universities, including military transcripts, to WNC Admissions and Records.  Once your transcripts have been sent, you must complete the Petition for Transfer Credit Evaluation (https://wnc.edu/admissions/forms.php). It is the student’s responsibility to have transcripts sent to WNC. If a student does not have this done by the start of their second semester, they will not be certified again until all transcripts have been evaluated.
  4. Meet with or contact the WNC VA School Certifying Official, located in the Financial Aid Office (Bristlecone Room 102 or at 775-445-3263).  You will be required to submit your Certificate of Eligibility and DD214.  You will also be required to complete the Veterans Data Form (https://wnc.edu/financial/forms.php).This form must be completed each semester in order to be certified for VA Education Benefits.  Financial Aid Staff and the VA School Certifying Official are available to help you complete these requirements.
  5. Meet with a counselor, located in Counseling Services (Bristlecone Room 103 or at 775-445-3267). Counselors are available to help students with degree selection, class schedules, and provide career counseling.  A counselor signature is required on the Veterans Data Form (https://wnc.edu/financial/forms.php).
  6. Meet with the Veterans Resource Center Director at the Veterans Resource Center (Cedar Room 302A or at 775-445-3302).  Learn more about the VRC on their website (https://wnc.edu/veterans-resource-center/index.php).

Veteran Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements 

In order to maintain Veteran Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at Western Nevada College, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. If a student fails to meet this standard, they will be placed on Academic Probation and VA education benefits may be suspended.

WNC VA SAP Appeal Process

Students wishing to continue using VA education benefits at WNC while on Academic Probation, must meet with an Academic Counselor and file a VA SAP Appeal E-Form.

  • If a student’s appeal is approved, the school will resume the normal certification process for the student.
  • If the appeal is denied students may continue.to take classes at WNC at their own expense. Once they reach a 2.0 cumulative GPA on their own, they will again qualify for certification of VA Education Benefits.

Late Fees

Western Nevada College does not penalize students using VA Education benefit programs under Chapters 33 and 31 while waiting for payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs providing they submit a Certificate of Eligibility, a written request to use such entitlement (Veterans Data Form) and any additional information needed to certify enrollment.

Students will continue to have access to all WNC classes and services as outlined in our catalog. No late fees will be assessed and student accounts will be placed on hold to avoid classes being dropped for non-payment. Title 38 USC 3679 (e).

Veteran Certifiting Official Contact Information

Veteran Certifying Official - Rebekah Fillippini
Bristlecone Building, Room 102
2201 West College Parkway, Carson City, NV 89703
rebekah.fillippini@wnc.edu
 775-445-3291

 

Veterans Resource Center

The Veterans Resource Center lives by its motto “Veterans Helping Veterans” and is home to many beneficial Veteran programs.

VRC Services:

  • Tutoring Services
  • Peer to Peer Mentorship
  • Academic Advising
  • Veteran Advocacy
  • Counseling Services
  • Textbook Lending
  • VA Benefits Advising
  • A quiet place to study
  • Computers with internet/printing access
  • The home for the student vet club
  • Community Resource Information
  • Veterans Upward Bound

VRC Contact

Veterans Resource Center Director- Deb Conrad
Cedar Building, Room 302A
2201 West College Parkway, Carson City, NV 89703
 deb.conrad@wnc.edu
 775-445-3301