Military, Family & Veteran Benefits - Financial Aid

Veterans Benefit Information

These are general guidelines that will help the process. However, you should check with the specific location you will attend. Contact information is at the end of this page.

Undergraduate/Graduate Course Loads

	Undergraduate Course Loads		Graduate Course Loads
	Semesters	Terms	Semesters	Terms
Full Time:	12	6	8-9	6
¾ Time:	9-11	5	7	4-5
½ Time	6-8	3	4-6	3

TROY VA Certification Request Form Link

Students using the federal GI Bill® must submit the TROY VA certification request form EVERY term/semester AFTER registering for courses if the federal GI Bill® benefit is to be used. Remedial courses taken ONLINE are not eligible for enrollment certification for GI Bill® benefits.

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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Financial Aid Tools for Students Using Military Education Benefits

Before enrolling at Troy University, all veterans, military service members, spouses and other family members using any military benefits are asked to review the following Financial Aid Tools:

College Scorecard

The College Scorecard is a planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and their families as they evaluate options in selecting a school and is located at: http://collegecost.ed.gov/scorecard/.

College Navigator

The College Navigator is a consumer tool that provides school information to include tuition and fees, retention and graduation rates, use of financial aid, student loan default rates and features a cost calculator and school comparison tool. The College Navigator is located at: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/.

College Financing Plan

The College Financing Plan is a model aid award letter designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so they can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school. The College Financing Plan can be accessed when logging into your Self-Service account at: https://splash.troy.edu/go-to/selfservice.

Paying for College

The "Paying for College" webpage can be used by prospective students to enter the names of up to three schools and receive detailed financial information on each one and to enter actual financial aid award information. The tool can be accessed at: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/.

Admission

Complete an application for regular student status and submit to the Admissions Office.

Select a program of study (a requirement for VA benefits.
Submit a copy of your high school transcript.
Take the placement test.
Submit college transcripts from all other accredited institutions, including military transcripts.. These transcripts must be sent directly from the transfer institutions. Hand-carried transcripts will not be accepted.

Registration

Only students who have received a letter confirming admission may register.

Academic advisors and counselors will assist in planning a class schedule. Have them indicate whether or not the course is part of the student’s program of study. (Only those courses within the student’s program of study are eligible to count toward veterans benefits.)

Program Selection

Veterans receiving VA benefits may select any program leading to a degree offered at Troy University upon approval from the Veterans Services Office. Only one program may be pursued under certification for benefits. If the veteran decides to major in two programs at the same time, only one will be certified. The VA will not pay for courses that were taken under an unapproved program after the approved program is completed.
Veterans may change a program of study and continue to receive benefits if the new program is approved by VA.

Class Attendance

The VA encourages veterans receiving benefits to attend all scheduled classes. Failure of a class due to attendance (FA) will result in the loss of benefits and pay back of veterans benefits already received for the course(s) in which a grade of FA was assigned.

Veterans Educational Benefits

The following must be submitted for the certification process to begin. No forms will be accepted individually. It is the veteran’s responsibility to assemble all needed materials and submit them to the Veterans Services Office.

Applicants Under Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34

New applicants complete VA Form 22-1990 at How To Apply For The GI Bill® | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Transfer students complete VA Form 22-1995 at Change Your GI Bill® School Or Program | Veterans Affairs (va.gov) and,
Submit copy of: DD214 - Report of Separation (Member 4 copy)
Veterans eligible for CH34 benefits (entered service 1977 or earlier) also submit copies of:
    •    Marriage certificate
    •    Birth certificates of dependent children
    •    Divorce decrees

Applicants under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill® (CH33)

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. The program is also called CH33. The effective start date for CH33 was August 1, 2009.

CH33 allows for three separate benefit payments for most students:

A tuition and fee benefit paid directly to Troy University
A monthly stipend provided to the service member as long as they are not on active duty or a spouse of an active duty member and is using the benefit their sponsor transferred to them.
A book stipend of up to $1,000 per academic year ($41.67 per credit hour).

The Yellow Ribbon Program:

Yellow Ribbon works in conjunction with Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefit. It helps to cover higher Out-of-State tuition charges that the Post 9/11 GI Bill® does not cover
Troy University does participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program; however, due to Section 1005 of the Isakson and Roe legislation, Troy University will not charge Post 9/11 GI Bill® and/or Montgomery GI Bill®- Active Duty Chapter 30 beneficiaries out-of-state tuition charges. These students will be charged in-state tuition and fees rates.

To receive benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program:

You must be eligible for the 100% benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®;
You must not be on active duty or a spouse transferee of an active duty member

FAQs about the new Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Applicants Under DEA Chapter 35 (Survivors/Dependents)

New applicants complete VA Form 22-5490 at How To Apply For The GI Bill® | Veterans Affairs (va.gov) or,
Transfer students complete VA Form 22-5495 at Change Your GI Bill® School Or Program | Veterans Affairs (va.gov) and,
Provide Veterans VA File Number.

In addition, the Military Officer's Assoc. of America (MOAA) offers interest-free loans.)

Applicants Under MGIB-SR Chapter 1606/1607 (Reserves/National Guard)

New applicants complete VA Form 22-1990 at How To Apply For The GI Bill® | Veterans Affairs (va.gov) or,
Transfer students complete VA Form 22-1995 at Change Your GI Bill® School Or Program | Veterans Affairs (va.gov) and,
Submit copy of DD2384 -Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE).

All Applicants Under All Federal VA Chapters

EVERY term/semester AFTER registering for courses, please submit the VA Certification Request form. This form notifies the VA Certifying Official that you are registered and gives he/she permission to send your enrollment to the VA for processing.

FEDERAL GI BILL® PAYMENT INFO

The first check should arrive SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS after the first day of classes or later if the veteran should apply for certification after classes begin.

Information about qualifying pay rates and payment dates for Chapter 30, 34, 35, 32 and 1606/1607 is available only through direct contact between the student and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Go to: www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-442-4551.

If you receive the Montgomery GI Bill® Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606/1607, you must verify your attendance before payment is processed. You will not receive payment until VA receives your verification. You will have to verify your attendance on the last day of each month. You may do so via the automated telephone system at 1-877-823-2378 or via the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do.

Veterans planning to enroll in mini-terms, or a combination of full semester and mini-terms, may want to contact the Veterans Affairs Office to determine their training status.

Certification Using Veterans Standard Of Progress

Veterans Services will not pay educational benefits if one of the following should occur:

The veteran registers for classes that are not specified as necessary for the declared program of study. Depending on circumstances, deficiency or remedial courses may be certified for benefits.
The veteran fails to submit all previous college transcripts for evaluation.
The veteran registers for two or more courses and receives “F”, “U,” or "FA" grades for all courses for one semester.
The veteran fails to convert an “I” grade to a letter grade within one year from receipt of the “I” Grade.
The veteran receives a FA (failure to attend class) for the semester VA benefits are received.
The veteran fails to achieve the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for Undergraduate and 3.0 for Graduate for two consecutive semesters or sessions.

The veteran like all students at Troy University will be placed on academic probation during the first semester or session the minimum cumulative GPA is not achieved. By the end of the probation semester, the veteran must attain the minimum cumulative GPA. If the veteran does not attain the cumulative GPA of 2.0 by the end of the academic probation period, the university cannot certify the veteran for benefits. Once the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 has been achieved then we can begin certifying the veteran again.

Dependents Qualifying For Eligibility

All questions concerning child and/or spouse eligibility are to be referred to the Department of Veterans Affairs at: www.gibill.va.gov or you can call: 1 (888) 442-4551

Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP)

The Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program is a state student assistance program established by the legislature of the State of Alabama and is designed to provide financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members who are residents of the state of Alabama and are enrolled in degree programs at accredited postsecondary institutions of higher learning located within the state of Alabama.

Student Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for an Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program award the student must:

1) 17 years of age or over

2) Active member in good standing with the Alabama National Guard

3) Active member of a federally recognized unit of the Alabama National Guard

4) Have completed basic training

5) Pursuing the first undergraduate or graduate program (second degrees are not eligible for ANGEAP funding; example: Second Bachelor’s degree or Second Master’s degree)

6) Enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college or university within the State of Alabama

7) Maintain a cumulative 2.00 GPA Undergraduate; 3.00 GPA Graduate at end of each semester

8) Must have the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file (If selected for the verification process with the Department of Education, this will have to be completed in order for your ANGEAP application to be sent to the State for processing.)

9) Must demonstrate a financial need of at least $100.00.

To apply, please visit Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ache.edu). Click on the Application for the current year.

The student will complete Section I of the form, sign and date it, and send a copy to their VA counselor. The VA counselor will complete Section II of the form and send the form to the State National Guard ANGEAP office for completion. ANGEAP is a payer of last resort; Pell grant, tuition-based scholarships, Post 9/11 Chapter 33 GI Bill® benefits, and Federal Military Tuition Assistance will first have to deducted from the tuition eligibility. All students requesting ANGEAP benefits must complete a FAFSA for the current academic year they are trying to utilize ANGEAP funds. If you do not apply for FAFSA we cannot submit the ANGEAP to the State for processing. If selected for the verification process with the Department of Education, this will have to be completed in order for your ANGEAP application to be sent to the State for processing. All payments for ANGEAP are sent to the school at the end of the semester and it will be added to the student account. If your student account has no balance due to self- pay or financial aid, etc., you will be refunded the ANGEAP payment when it is applied. If there is still a balance on your account, ANGEAP will be used to pay the remaining balance. If you have a business office hold on your account due to a balance from ANGEAP funds not arriving yet and ANGEAP is paying your remaining balance, please contact your VA Counselor.

Other Benefits

TOP-UP

TOP-UP consists of educational payments made by the VA which reimburse an individual for course charges not paid by the Armed Forces with tuition assistance. This benefit is only available for qualifying Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty (MGIB-AD) Chapter 30 or Post 9/11 GI Bill® Chapter 33 beneficiaries. To learn what the requirements are needed for using Top-Up, please visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/tuition_assistance.asp.

Tutorial Assistance

A veteran is eligible to receive up to $600 for tutorial assistance if approved by Veterans Services. Chapter 1606/1607 applicants will not be paid for receiving tutorial assistance.

Work-Study

The Work-Study program allows a VA student to earn the Federal or state minimum wage (whichever is higher) for up to 1,300 hours per year. The benefit is tax free and allows each VA student to “earn while he learns” while he or she is pursuing an approved post-secondary program of education on at least a three-quarter time basis.

The VA Work-Study student may only perform VA related work. This work might include preparing and processing VA enrollment certifications, checking VA student attendance records or checking for course changes. Availability for these positions is limited.

ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS

Troy University certifies your enrollment status, programs and academic progress. All questions concerning payment are to be referred to the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1 (888) 442-4551 or by sending an electronic inquiry by going to: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Direct Deposit

EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) processing, also known as “Direct Deposit,” is now available to recipients of several of the VA education benefit programs. To find out if you can use Direct Deposit, or to stop or change your Direct Deposit, call 1 (877) 838-2778.

Troy University Veterans Offices

Students wishing to speak with a VA Counselor should contact the site they are attending:

Troy Campus, TROY Online or Montgomery School of Nursing - 116 Adams Administration Building, Troy, AL 36082; Phone 1-800-414-5756, Fax 334-670-5917

Stephanie Williams-Moorer, VA. Counselor - swilliams12447@troy.edu
Dan Perkins, VA Counselor - dperkins223665@troy.edu
Travis McCullough, Assistant Director – tmccullough7274@troy.edu

Dothan Campus - 118 Malone Hall, Dothan, AL 36304; Phone 334-983-6556 x21257; Fax 334-566-1042;

Tammy Hussey, VA counselor – thussey@troy.edu

Montgomery Campus -

Email: troyfinancialaid@troy.edu

Phenix City Campus - One University Place, Phenix City, AL 36869; Phone 334-448-5185, Fax 334-448-5225;

Carmen Foster, VA Certifying Official - fosterc@troy.edu

All other sites - Please contact the site for the name and number of the VA Counselor

Equal Opportunity Statement

Troy University is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunities in its programs, activities and employment for students and employees regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

Information regarding affirmative action and equal access should be addressed to:

Dr. Jim Bookout
Senior Vice Chancellor
Finance and Business Affairs
241 Adams Administration Building
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3108