VA Education Benefits

It is our honor to serve those who so generously serve our country.

I'm a Veteran.  What do I do first?

First, you need to apply to KC.  The admission process is the first and most important step for all students. Continuing Education students, which includes students that are applying to the Fire Academy or Police Academy, must apply with those departments. All other students must apply through the regular admissions process. Apply to KC

Once you have completed the admissions and testing requirements:

It is imperative that you schedule an appointment with the Advisor for your program or the Kilgore College Counseling Center at (903) 983-8206. Veterans CAN NOT be certified for VA benefits until there is a schedule in the system for you.

Fill out your FAFSA:

All students applying to a regular degree program are encouraged to complete a FAFSA to determine financial aid eligibility, which includes the Pell Grant, other State & Local Grants, Federal Student Loans, and Scholarships. FAFSA’s must be submitted prior to July 1st for enrollment in the Fall semester and November 1st for the Spring semester. The last day a FAFSA can be filed with the Department of Education, for any academic year, is June 30th. Please Note: Financial Aid cannot be used for any type of Continuing Education Courses and all enrollment must be within your degree plan for eligibility. Please speak with the Veteran Certifying Official if you have any questions regarding this process.

FILL OUT THE FAFSA

Military Tuition Assistance for Active Duty Military Personnel Only:

Online Veteran Resources:

Former or Current Military?

College Credit For Heroes is a partnership between the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to ensure our active duty, former and retired military personnel receive the credit they earned for their service to our country.

GI Bill Info

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."

GI Bill comparison tool

Continuing Education: Students interested in Continuing Education courses or programs must complete paperwork per that program’s guidelines and are not required to complete Orientation or Testing. 

Fire Academy: Fire Academy applicants should inform the Academy that they are using Veterans benefits when submitting paperwork. Veteran students are responsible for contacting the VA Rep prior to beginning classes and submitting all required documentation and applications. The Fire Academy will contact the Certifying Official regarding class enrollment and schedules.

Police Academy: Police Academy applicants must inform their instructors when classes begin that they are using Veterans benefits and which benefits: GI Bill ®, Post 9/11, Hazlewood or a combination. Veteran students are   responsible for contacting the VA Rep prior to beginning classes and submitting all required documentation and applications. The Police Academy will contact the Certifying Official regarding class enrollment and schedules.

Veterans

Admissions Checklist for Veterans enrolling in Academic Programs

Apply for Admission online.

Bacterial meningitis vaccination is required for students under 22. Click here for further information about the vaccination and submitting records.

If you are attending college for the first time, you need to complete orientation. Click here for further information about Orientation.

  1. Orientation fee may be waived for veterans who present their DD-214 to Student Success Staff.

Check with the Registrar regarding whether you need or are exempt from placement testing by calling 903-983-8606.

  1. Military personnel discharged after 1990 with an honorable discharge may be TSI Exempt. You must present a DD-214 to the Registrar’s Office with this information to be exempted.
  2. If not TSI exempt, schedule a test with the Testing Center.

Submit official high school/GED, college and military transcripts to the Registrar.

  1. Official Transcripts from all colleges attended previously, whether you received veterans benefits or not.
  2. Military Transcripts (you may receive college credit for military training)
    1. Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy: Active Duty, Reserve, and Veterans can obtain these transcripts here.
    2. Air Force: request transcripts online or mail a request to CCAF/DFRS, 130 West Maxwell BLVD, Maxwell AFB, Alabama  36112-6613.
How to Get Certified for Veterans Benefits

It is your responsibility to contact the Kilgore College Veteran Certifying Official and turn in all required documentation. The following documents are required for each veteran intending to utilize their Federal Veterans Benefits and must be submitted in order for enrollment to be certified:

  1. VONAPP: Veterans using their Education Benefits for the first time will need to apply for benefits.
    1. Click on “Apply VONAPP” and complete the application process.
    2. After submitting the online application, print out a copy of the entire application and submit to Certifying Official for file.
  2. “Request for Change of Program/Training Facility,” 22-1995 Form: If you have used benefits prior to attending KC or are changing programs at KC, you must complete this form. Copies may be obtained from the VA Rep or via the VONAPP website. VONAPP: complete additional form; click the drop-down menu, select the 22-1995 form (or 22-5495 for dependents), complete, print, and attach to the VONAPP when submitting.
  3. Certificate of Eligibility Letter: The VA will mail this to you after they process your application.
  4. Copy of DD-214 or NOBE Orders. Available here.
  5. Transcripts from all previous institutions and military. Submit official high school/GED, college and military transcripts to the Registrar.
    1. Official Transcripts from all colleges attended previously, whether you received veterans benefits or not.
    2. Military Transcripts (you may receive college credit for military training)
      1. Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy: Active Duty, Reserve, and Veterans can obtain these transcripts here.
      2. Air Force: request transcripts online or mail a request to CCAF/DFRS, 130 West Maxwell BLVD, Maxwell AFB, Alabama  36112-6613.
  6. Class Schedule: Only classes on the established degree plan can be certified. Bring schedule EVERY enrollment period.
  7. Contact Information: Please give us a current address, phone number and email address (if applicable).
  8. Dependents & spouses of Veterans need to submit the veteran’s social security number or the VA File number.

It is each student’s responsibility to contact the Veteran Certifying Official with a schedule at the beginning of each term and when there are changes to your schedule, such as adding and withdrawing from classes at any time during the semester. This applies to all Veterans receiving any education benefits.

Veteran Benefits Available

Tuition Assistance is for active military service members and includes, Army Tuition Assistance, Navy Tuition Assistance, and Air Force Tuition Assistance. These programs are administered through an Educational Services Officer within your branch of service. You must complete the counseling process with your ESO. Once your program has been approved you will need to notify the college of your choice and speak with the Veteran Certifying Official on that campus. Please note: We cannot assist you with this phase of your educational goals, however we can assist you with any information or paperwork you may need to gain approval.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill ®* individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after Sept. 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. The Post-9/11 GI Bill become effective for training on or after Aug. 1, 2009.

Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill ®: The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30.

Chapter 35 - DEA: Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Chapter 1606: The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Chapter 1607: REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress.  This new program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

Chapter 31 - Veteran Readiness and Employment: The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The mission of VR&E is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

Hazlewood Exemption Act for Texas Veterans:

Hazlewood Application:

  • Fill out a paper application.
  • First-time Hazlewood recipients or students new to KC, please complete the ‘Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application,’ print the application, ensure all signatures are obtained, then submit it.
  • If you have used the benefit at KC before, please complete the ‘Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application for Continued Enrollment,’ print the application, sign it and submit it.
  • Submit DD-214 of qualifying veteran: All Hazlewood Applications require a copy of the veteran’s DD-214; applications submitted without the DD-214 are incomplete and those students will not be exempted from tuition and fees.
  • Submit Certificate of Eligibility for Federal Veterans’ Education Benefits: To verify eligibility for the veteran’s, or dependent’s federal education benefits. Certificates of eligibility may be obtained by completing an application on the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) website.

My CAA: The Department of Defense (DoD) Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program provides a lifetime benefit of up to $6,000 of Financial Assistance (FA) for military spouses who are pursuing licenses, certificates, credentials or degree programs leading to employment in Portable Career Fields. Application and information are available at the website.

Purple Heart Foundation Scholarship Program: The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial support to Purple Heart recipients and their families for the direct costs of higher education. It covers things like tuition, books, incidental fees and room and board.

Low VA Rates offer an annual $2,500 college scholarship to one deserving military student. Semiannual payments of $1,250 are given during the fall and winter semesters. Low VA Rates is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2017 academic year.  Low VA Rates is one of the leading VA mortgage lenders in the United States. We specialize in VA Purchase, VA IRRRL, and VA Hybrid Loans.

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

Hazlewood Exemption Act for Texas Veterans
  1. Hazlewood Application:
  2. Submit DD-214 of qualifying veteran: All Hazlewood Applications require a copy of the veteran’s DD-214; applications submitted without the DD-214 are incomplete and those students will not be exempted from tuition and fees.
  3. Submit Certificate of Eligibility for Federal Veterans’ Education Benefits: To verify eligibility for the veteran’s, or dependent’s federal education benefits. Certificates of eligibility may be obtained by completing an application on the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) website.
  4. If you are not the veteran, Relationship Documentation: Submit one or more of the following documents to verify your relationship to the eligible veteran: Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Adoption Papers, or Recent Income Tax Return.
  5. If the veteran died while in service: Report of Casualty, Form DD Form 1300 – To verify the veteran’s place of entry, and that his/her death was service related.
  6. If the veteran is deceased (not service-connected): Death Certificate for deceased veteran for use in a Legacy transfer.
  7. If the veteran is totally disabled or individually unemployable due to military service-related illness or injury: You must have a current disability ratings decision letter from the VA indicating that rating.
  8. If you and/or the veteran have used Hazlewood previously at another institution, you must register for the Hazlewood Hours used database and include a printout of proof of hours used.

The Texas Veterans Commission released the following statements:

  • On January 26, 2015, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that the requirement that Veterans must have entered service in Texas in order to be eligible to receive the Texas Hazlewood exemption of tuition and fees at public schools (the fixed point residency requirement) was unconstitutional.
  • On May 12, 2015, the office of the Texas State Attorney General filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Note: The Texas Veterans Commission is not a party to appeal.
  • Current Hazlewood eligibility requirements remain unchanged, except for the individual specifically named in the lawsuit.
Military Benefits
Confidentiality and FERPA

For more information, visit the FERPA page.

Student Loans

Visit the Student Loans Webpage.

Rounding Out Policy

The practice of “rounding out” provides eligible GI Bill ® students in their last term with the option to take additional classes to bring their course load to full-time and receive a full-time monthly housing allowance. In accordance with law, VA is only authorized to pay GI Bill ® benefits for classes that are part of an approved program of education and count toward completion of that approved program of education.

Beginning on Aug. 1, 2021, students can “round out” in their last term only if they are taking classes that are approved for their program of education. Classes approved for a program of education means those that can be used to satisfy the graduation requirements of the program as specified in the curriculum.  Classes that have been previously completed cannot be used to round out the student’s course load. 

To obtain full-time enrollment in their last term, they will be allowed to select from the other courses in that category. 

To give an example, a student pursuing a degree in political science may have the choice to take two of four courses in government as a graduation requirement. If the student does not need a third or fourth government class for graduation but wants to round out, VA will allow the student to take those additional government courses because they are included in the student’s program of education. Chosen classes must be specified by name in the curriculum. 

The Post-9/11 GI Bill ® has been fundamentally transformed into a lifetime learning benefit allowing for remaining entitlement to be used in the future to obtain a higher level degree, train for a career change, stay abreast of changes within a vocational field, or obtain a related vocational certification or license.

veterans benefits administration link

Important Files:

For information about Veterans Education Benefits:

Larry Dorsey
Veteran Certifying Official & Benefits Specialist
Financial Aid Department
Phone:
(903) 988-7420
Office:
Devall Student Center (DEVAL), 2nd Floor
ldorsey@kilgore.edu
Jackie Kelley
Director
Financial Aid Department
Phone:
(903) 983-8171
Office:
Devall Student Center (DEVAL), 235
Fax:
(903) 988-7528
jkelley@kilgore.edu

Financial Aid