Veteran or Family Member
- Research career options, schools and education options to narrow down what you want to do and where you want to go using the tools from the VA at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/get_started.asp
- Do the career quiz using CareerScope.
- Compare VA benefit programs; you may be eligible for more than one and will have to choose.
- Apply to SouthArk. Apply Here!
- You will also need the following:
- Official copies of your high school transcripts or GED scores
- Copy of your childhood immunization records
- Copy of placement test scores (ACT, SAT) or
- you can take the COMPASS in our Testing Center. Ask your adviser for information.
- Copy of your DD214
- Official copies of any other college or military transcripts.
- Meet with an adviser at SouthArk as soon as possible to discuss majors, degree plans, and success strategies.
- Include in your talk any issues or situations that might interfere with your academic success such as work, family, medical visits, injuries and/or disabilities.
- The adviser will refer you to a VA Peer Mentor. Meet with the VA Peer Mentor to discuss some of the processes and review your progress.
- Apply for benefits through VONAPP, Veterans Online Application found on the VA website at: www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal When you are finished, there is a form that you will print out and bring to the VA Rep at SouthArk.
- Apply for Federal Financial Aid (Pell Grant, etc.) at: www.fafsa.gov (SouthArk's school code is 013858)
Turn in any additional documents requested by the school or the VA as soon as possible. If you need help finding them or turning them in, let us know.
The VONAPP (Veterans On Line Application) Click on Apply for Benefits and you will be brought here. This is an official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website that enables service members, veterans and their beneficiaries, and other designated individuals to apply for benefits using the Internet.
FIND the VONAPP!
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal
At the top right corner of the page there is a Register button. Click there to set up your eBenefits account.
Or – click on the tab apply for BENEFITS. Here you will find links to eBenefits, VONAPP, Disability and other benefits.
Give yourself plenty of time to complete the application, it will take awhile.
It is helpful to have a copy of your DD214 handy. If you need one, you can find it here http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
| Helpful User Information |
| UserName: |
| Password: |
| Keep this page handy |
Keep your username and password on this page and keep it in a safe place so you will always be able to find it when you need it!
After completing the steps above, bring the following completed documents to the VA representative at SouthArk located in Student Services office;
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- Certificate of Eligibility (or print off application from VONAPP)
Form 22-1990 (new students)
Form 22-1995 (returning students)
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- DD-214/NOBE (Notice of Benefits Eligibility)
IMPORTANT NOTES
You MUST notify your VA Rep of any changes in your schedule. Immediately upon enrolling in classes and/or changing your schedule (adding/dropping courses or completely withdrawing), send or bring a copy of your detailed statement to your VA Rep.
A detailed statement can be obtained from the campus bookstore or the school business office. The VA Rep will certify your classes accordingly. Always keep a copy for your records.
Students receiving benefits under Chapter 30, 1606, and 1607 must request payment at the end of each month using the following website. https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do Set up your account on WAVE as soon as possible.
We understand the value of your training and experience. Our institution strives to accept military credit for academic credit whenever possible.
Our Registrar reviews all military transcripts to see whether anything can be counted as academic credit. Your adviser will explain the process and provide you with the forms you need.
We also understand that you may have credit from other institutions. We do not want you to have to repeat courses, so we will evaluate any credit that you earned from a regionally accredited university.
Please request your transcript from the following sources and have it sent to the address below:
- DD214
- Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy Joint Services Transcript (JTS)
- Go to the web address for any institution from which you have taken courses. Search for "Transcript Request" and have it sent to SouthArk.
- https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do
- https://www.resumebuilder.com/military-to-civilian-cover-letter-examples/
- http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
- https://www.medicareplans.com/va-military-and-medicare-benefits-resource/
- https://www.medicareplans.com/medicare-coverage-for-people-with-disabilities/
Send all transcripts, both military and civilian, to the following address:
Office of Admissions
South Arkansas Community College
P. O. Box 7010
El Dorado, AR 71731-7010
Chapter 31
What is the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program?
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program is authorized by Congress and is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program.
The program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. This includes completing a degree program that will help the veteran do that.
Services that may be provided by the VR&E Program include
- Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment
- Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services
- Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance
- Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations
- On-the-Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences
- Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school
- Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and medical referrals
- Independent living services for Veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities
Go to the VA website for more information.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/
How VA Processes Monthly Educational Benefits
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison_tool.asp follow this link for more information
- Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD/Chapter 30
- Monthly benefit paid to student
- Student uses monthly benefit to pay tuition/fees to school
- May be eligible for kicker if part of the original enlistment contract or part of a re-enlistment contract
- Must certify enrollment with your VA Regional Office at the end of each month, by phone or on-line
- Vocational Rehab and Employment Services (VRE/Chapter 31)
- Tuition and fees paid directly to school
- Books charged through school and paid directly to school
- Monthly stipend to student
- Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
- Tuition and fees paid directly to school
- Book stipend paid to student, $41.67 per credit hour, up to $1000 available from August to August. Payment amounts vary based on the following:
- Payment eligibility rating, a range of 40% to 100%
- Enrollment status, full-time or less
- Monthly housing stipend (BHA/BAH) paid to student. Payment amounts vary based on the following:
- Payment eligibility rating, a range of 40% to 100%
- Enrollment status, full-time or less, and enrolled more than 50% rate of degree pursuit
- Enrolled in all on-line courses, and enrolled more than 50% rate of degree pursuit
- If spouse is currently active duty, not eligible for monthly housing stipend
- Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
- (DEA/Chapter 35)
- Monthly benefit paid to student
- Student uses monthly benefit to pay tuition/fees to school
- Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR/Chapter 1606)
- Monthly benefit paid to student
- Student uses monthly benefit to pay tuition/fees to school
- May be eligible for kicker if part of the original enlistment contract or part of a re-enlistment contract
- Must certify enrollment with your VA Regional Office at the end of each month, by phone or on-line
- Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP/Chapter 1607)
- Monthly benefit paid to student
- Student uses monthly benefit to pay tuition/fees to school
- May be eligible for kicker if part of the original enlistment contract or part of a re-enlistment contract
- Must certify enrollment with your VA Regional Office at the end of each month, by phone or on-line
To find your VA Regional Office, go to:
http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?dnum=3&isFlash=0
Other VA Educational Monthly Benefits Eligibility Policies and Considerations
1. SouthArk Payment Plan: VA checks may take time to process. Students can set up a payment plan to
hold classes until the VA begins to pay.
A. Once classes are scheduled, students can start a payment plan from their student account under
View/Pay Bill
B. Down payments and enrollment fees are processed immediately.
C. Once VA payments begin, students must contact SouthArk's business office to switch payment
options.
2. Students who are receiving benefits under Chapter 30, 1606, and 1607 must request payment at the
end of each month by using one of the following:
A. By calling 1-(877)823-2378, Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E.)
B. Going online at www.gibill.va.gov Click on verify attendance (W.A.V.E.) Tab then create account and
submit enrollment for payment. https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do
3. The Veterans Regional Office will not pay for the following:
A. A course that does not pertain to the degree you are seeking
B. On-line developmental (remedial) courses
C. A course already passed at an acceptable level at SouthArk or any other school
Check with your adviser: a grade of "D" may be an acceptable grade for your degree requirement.
4. SouthArk reports regularly to the Veterans Regional Office. If any of the following actions result in your
having been paid more than what you are eligible for, you may have to repay the amount in
excess of your eligibility:
A. Dropped class
B. Term withdrawal
C. NC (no-credit) grade in a non-developmental course
D. Non-attendance grade (grade of F)
E. Incomplete grade that is subsequently replaced with an NC (no-credit) grade
5. SouthArk also reports the following information to the Veterans Regional Office:
A. Academic probation
B. Suspension
C. Graduation
*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 website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
- Check with your unit for instructions on determining eligibility, benefits, and how to access them.
- Research career options, schools, and education options to narrow down what you want to do and where you want to go using the tools from the VA at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/get_started.asp
- Do the career quiz using CareerScope.
- Compare VA benefit programs; you may be eligible for more than one and will have to choose.
- Apply to SouthArk.
https://www.southark.edu/admissions/getting-started/apply-to-southark-today -
- Meet with an adviser to discuss majors, degree plans, and success strategies. Include in your talk any issues or situations that might interfere with your academic success.
- You will also need the following:
- Official copies of your high school transcripts or GED scores
- Copy of your childhood immunization records
- Copy of placement test scores (ACT, SAT) or you can take the COMPASS in our Testing Center. Ask your adviser for information.
- Official copies of other college or military transcripts.
- Apply for Federal Financial Aid (Pell Grant, etc.) at: www.fafsa.gov (SouthArk's school code is 013858)
- When information from your unit is returned to you, review your eligibility information. Ask questions if you have any. We will help any way that we can to explain how your benefits will work here.
- Turn in any additional documents requested by the school or your unit as soon as possible. If you need help finding them or turning them in, let us know.
- Additional benefits may be available through state programs. Ask the VA Peer Mentor or representative on campus.
The Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver Program (NGTW) is a state-funded award to assist soldiers with their educational expenses.
Application requirements have changed beginning with the Spring 2020 semester.
Applications and submission information is available at https://arkansas.nationalguard.mil/EIB/NGTW/
- A new application must be submitted each semester
- The application period is 60 days prior to 30 days after the start of the semester.
GTIP approval process:
- If you are approved for NGTW assistance, the Arkansas National Guard will submit the names of eligible students to the AR Division of Higher Education (ADHE). ADHE will compile the names and send to SouthArk on a roster.
For more information, visit the AR National Guard Education website or call the Education Services Officer at (501) 212-4036.
Military OneSource is a confidential Department of Defense-funded program providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve Component members, and their families. Information includes, but is not limited to, deployment, reunion, relationship, grief, spouse employment and education, parenting and child care, and much more.
Military OneSource also offers confidential non-medical counseling services on-line, via telephone, or face to face. Eligible individuals may receive confidential non-medical counseling addressing issues requiring short-term attention, including everyday stressors, deployment and reintegration concerns, parenting, grief and loss, and marital problems as well as assistance with financial management, taxes, career services, health and wellness, and other issues. This personalized support is available 24/7 no matter where you live or serve.
National Scholarships and Grants
Imagine America Foundation: Military Award Program
http://www.imagine-america.org/grantsformilitary
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship information:
https://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2019-06/fry_scholarship.pdf
MilitaryScholar.org: This site offers a scholarship for children of military members.
www.militaryscholar.org
National Military Family Association: This site has useful information for military families as well as a scholarship program for spouses of military members.
www.nmfa.org
Arkansas Specific Scholarships
Arkansas Community Foundation
https://www.arcf.org/
Arkansas Service Memorial Scholarship Endowment
- $2,500
- Children of Arkansans who lost their lives in service in the state, nation, or community
AT&T War Memorial Scholarship Fund
- $2,500
- Arkansas veterans enrolling full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the State of Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) www.adhe.edu. Application deadline is June 1. By applying at this site, you may qualify for the following:
- AR Challenge (Lottery) Scholarship
- Military Dependents (MDS) Scholarship
- Go! Grant
- Workforce Improvement Grant
