Veteran Benefits

Finger Lakes Community College recognizes the unique experience military service can give to you. There are many programs and resources specifically designed to help veterans achieve success in education - and in life.

GI Bill^® Education Benefits

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (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. Benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. Visit the VA's Administration Montgomery GI Bill website for additional information.

For more information about applying for education benefits, visit http://gibill.va.gov.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, and are an honorably discharged veteran, active duty military member, or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days of service, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program. More information is available on the VA's Benefits Administration Post-9/11 GI Bill website.

GI Bill Comparison Tool

Use of the GI Bill Comparison Tool will allow you to:

• Compare your benefit options
• Choose the school that is right for you
• Apply for your benefits
• Find employment

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Funds

Military Tuition Assistance is awarded to Service members under the assumption that they will complete the entire period of enrollment for which the assistance is awarded.

An eligible Service member who decides to use TA, will be enrolled only after the TA is approved by the individual's Service. Questions concerning this must be directed to the FLCC Director of Financial Aid, and/or FLCC's Associate Vice President of Enrollment.

Return of Unearned Military TA Funds

When a Service member "officially" and/or "unofficially" withdraws (stops attending classes; last date of attendance will be the last day of activity within a course), they may no longer be eligible for the full amount of tuition assistance that they were originally scheduled to receive.

Once the last date of attendance has been determined, the College will recalculate the Service member's TA eligibility based on the formula below.

Number of Days Completed (term) /Total Days of the Term = Percent of TA earned

The amount of TA earned is determined on a prorated basis. For example, if a student completed 30% of the course, they earned 30% of the TA funds awarded. The remainder of the unearned funds (70%) would be returned to the TA program. Calculated unearned TA funds will be returned by the College to the Military Service and not to the Service member.

The calculation for the return of funds may result in the Service member owing a balance to the College. This return of funds calculation aligns with the return of unearned student financial aid rules applicable to Federal Student Aid rules as required under HEA, Section 484B and 34CFR 668.22.

Service members who withdraw after the 60% point in the semester will have earned all Military TA funds.

If a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the College will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.

Students receiving TA funds and contemplating a complete withdrawal from the College may direct their questions to the FLCC One Stop Center, if they are concerned about financial implications.

15-week Course Withdraw submitted

• Before week 1: 100% return
• During week 1: 99-93% return
• During week 2: 92-86% return
• During week 3: 85-79% return
• During week 4: 78-73% return
• During week 5: 72-66% return
• During week 6: 65-57% return
• During week 7: 56-50% return
• During week 8: 49-41% return
• During week 9: 40% return (60% of course is completed)
• During weeks 10-15: 0% return

Other Benefits

Title IV Financial Aid

All veterans are also encouraged to apply for federal and state financial aid in addition to their veteran education benefits. For more information, visit FLCC's Applying for Financial Aid web page.

Education and Career Counseling

VA's Education and Career Counseling Program is a great opportunity for service members and veterans to get personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths, ensure the most effective use of their VA benefits, and achieve their employment goals. Additionally, FLCC's Academic Advising Career and Transfer Service (AACTS) Office provides academic and career counseling. You may contact them at AACTS@flcc.edu

Vocational Readiness and Employment

You may qualify for vocational rehabilitation and employment services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills. Other services may be provided to assist veterans in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled. Visit the Vocational Readiness and Employment website for additional information.

Readmission

FLCC is an open access institution. Service members and reservists may be readmitted to a program if they are temporarily unable to attend class or have to suspend their studies due to service requirements.

Support at FLCC

Jon Van Blargan is a financial aid counselor with over 20 years of experience. He has been the certify officer for GI Bill Benefits at FLCC for over 5 years. He is trained throughout each year on the Veteran's certification process and works along with Tom Bertram, Veterans Upward Bound Outreach Specialist, and many others across campus to ensure that our veterans have the information they need to make accurate financial aid decisions.

How to Get Started with the VA

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a wide range of benefits for the veterans of our country, service members, and their families. Benefits administered by the VA include:

• Compensation and Pension
• Education
• Healthcare
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
• Home Loans
• Survivors Benefits
• Life Insurance

For more information about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the services they offer, visit www.va.gov.

Application for Benefits

Forms for a variety of benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can be found at www.ebenefits.va.gov.