Veterans Information

New Veteran's Benefits

Procedure for applying for first time VA Benefits at Montcalm Community College:

The quickest way to process the application is to complete the Veteran’s Online Application available at the vets.gov website. After the online application is completed, a "Request to Utilization of Veteran Education Benefits" form must be submitted to MCC's Financial Aid Office, located in the upper level of the Donald C. Burns Administration/Library Building. Your enrollment will be certified by an MCC School Certifiying Official.

If the veteran wishes to file the application in paper form, the MCC VA Office will need a copy of the DD214 or an original Basic Notice of Eligibility (Form -2384). The veteran must complete the Application for VA Education Benefits (Form 22-1990) and submit a copy of the student’s current class schedule. The MCC Financial Aid Office will certify the form and mail the material to the Veteran’s Administration.

Applicants for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance must complete the VA Form-5490 and submit a copy of the student’s current class schedule. The MCC Financial Aid Office will certify the form and mail the material to the Veteran’s Administration.

Please realize processing of the Paper Form Will Take Approximately SIX WEEKS.

If veterans are receiving Chapter 35 benefits and have attended another institution and received benefits a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (Form 22-5495) must be completed at the time of application to MCC.

If veterans are receiving Chapters 1606 and 1607 benefits and have attended another institution and received benefits a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (Form 22-1995) must be completed at the time of application to MCC.

Attendance and Classes

Verification of Attendance, change in enrollment or failing grade:

Veterans and dependents receiving educational benefits must verify monthly enrollment. Any change in enrollment or attendance during the semester must immediately verified by going on-line at W.A.V.E. (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment). Failure to do so could result in an overpayment which the VA will require the student to repay. VA regulations state that any reduction in rate due to withdrawal from a class is effective retroactive to the beginning of the semester unless mitigating circumstances are documented. Mitigating circumstances are those which are normally, but not necessarily, beyond the student’s control.

Students receiving VA benefits who receive a failing grade must notify the Financial Aid Office of the last date of class attendance. Failure to provide the last date of attendance will result in the VA being notified that the last date of attendance was the first day of the semester.

Transfer of Credits:

Veteran transfer students who receive VA Educational Benefits at MCC must provide the Registrar with copies of official transcripts from other colleges attended. MCC is required to report the number of credits accepted in transfer to the Veterans Administration.

For more complete information about VA education benefits, please visit the Department of Veterans Website at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do.

Returning Veteran's Benefits

Procedure for subsequent certification of VA Benefits at MontcalmCommunity College:

The Veteran or dependent must sign a "Request to Utilize Veteran Education Benefits" form to continue to receive VA Benefits. The MCC Financial Aid Office will certify the registration online at the end of the drop period for that semester. Please email, finaid@montcalm.edu, or call 989-328-1205, if you have not received a request form in your student email. The forms are normally emailed to veteran students a month before classes begin.

Important Links

How to apply for Benefits

VA.gov-Veteran's Online Applications and Information

W.A.V.E.-Web Automated Verification of Enrollment

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service

Student Veterans of America Scholarship

State of Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

Satisfactory Academic Progress

STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Satisfactory pursuit of study or training toward completion of an educational or vocational goal must be maintained. Students receiving VA benefits will be certified only for classes which are required for their declared program of study. Elective courses in the program will be certified.

Unsatisfactory progress can stop VA benefits. (Click hear for the MCC Academic Dismissal Policy; Scroll down to page 27.) Students receiving VA benefits who are placed on academic probation for two consecutive semesters or dismissed for unsatisfactory progress will not be recertified for benefits until a minimum accumulated 2.0 grade point average has been achieved at the student’s expense. An appeal may be made to the Director of Financial Aid for special circumstances. The VA will be notified when a student remains on academic probation for two consecutive semesters or is dismissed for unsatisfactory progress. Students receiving VA benefits who receive incomplete or unsatisfactory grades are allowed one year from the end of the semester to complete the course and receive a grade. If the class is not completed in the year allowed, the VA may require repayment of funds received for the course.

Contact Us

Change of Address:

All VA Educational Benefit recipients who change their address must file an MCC request for Change of Address form and submit to the MCC Student Services Office.

Please direct admission or program questions to Studentservices@montcalm.edu or call 989-328-1277

Please direct veterans' educational benefit questions to finaid@montcalm.edu or call 989-328-1205.