Veterans and Military Students

Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill®

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/education_programs.asp

How to Receive Benefits at MCCC as a New Student

This provides a useful overview of how to get started with receiving Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill® benefits. Please also review the steps below to ensure you receive your benefits at MCCC.

• Ensure that your desired program is eligible for benefits. Most programs at MCCC are eligible, but if you have a question about eligibility, please email vets@mccc.edu.
• Apply for your benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• If this is the first time you will be using your benefits they you will fill out, Application for VA Education Benefits VA Form 22-1990.
• If you have used your benefits elsewhere prior to MCCC, then complete, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training VA Form 22-1995. This form is available through the same online application, VONAPP, where you apply for your benefits.
• Provide your VA Certificate of Eligibility for benefits to MCCC Veterans Services Office
• Complete a MCCC Request for Certification form to receive GI Bill® benefits at MCCC.
• VERY IMPORTANT: THE MCCC REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATION MUST BE DONE FOR EVERY SEMESTER YOU WANT TO USE YOUR BENEFITS.
• If you are receiving benefits under Ch. 33 (the Post-9/11 GI Bill®), you do not need to take any additional action to be certified. Tuition and fees payments will be sent directly to MCCC on your behalf; all other stipends and payments (e.g. BAH, books stipend) will be sent to you.
  • If you are receiving a partial amount of Ch. 33 then you must pay the partial tuition and fees that the Ch. 33 GI Bill® does not cover.
• If you are receiving benefits under Ch.30 or Ch.1606, you must verify your enrollment each month with the VA via the Web Automated Veteran's Enrollment (WAVE) system. Benefits will be sent directly to you (whether via paper check or direct deposit), and you are responsible for transferring any of these payments to MCCC.

How to Receive Benefits as a Continuing Student

Each semester that you would like to receive VA benefits at MCCC, you must submit the MCCC Request for Certification form, obtained from the MCCC Veterans Services Office (room SC110) or by emailing vets@mccc.edu.

Financial Aid TV

Community Resources

Trenton Vet Center
Mercer County Community College has forged a partnership with the Trenton Vet Center (located on the border with Ewing) to expand the services the college offers to military veterans. A representative will be on the West Windsor campus room SC 236 every Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to advise veterans about issues they may be facing that are interfering with their success in college and in their personal lives. Services include counseling, outreach and referrals to community agencies.

Soldier On
Soldier On is a private nonprofit organization committed to ending veteran homelessness. http://www.wesoldieron.org/

If you know a veteran or a member of a veteran family who is homeless or at risk of being homeless residing in central or eastern New York state, northern or central New Jersey, western Pennsylvania, western Massachusetts, or Mississippi who could benefit from Soldier On's Supportive Services for Veterans Families program, call 1-866-406-8449.

Student Veteran Club
The MCCC Student Veterans Club, Alliance for Veterans and Supporters (AVS), seeks to be the spot where veteran, military, and their supporters on the campus can come together to relax, socialize and help each other while attending Mercer. On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MCCCVeteranClub, AVS participates in many of the events on campus, providing support to its members and throughout the community. Meetings are held in the Student Veterans Lounge in SC 222..
News Announcement: New Veterans Club at MCCC Creating Bridge to Civilian Life

Other Helpful Information

How to Get a Copy of Your DD214

• Acquire any necessary paperwork documenting your service. Usually, you need an original or certified copy of DD Form 214 documenting your active duty service or other documentation of your military service to enroll in benefits. Now, you can access your DD-214 online.

Military Transcripts for MCCC Credits

Mercer recognizes that learning in the classroom is only part of the learning that takes place in the modern world. Credit may be granted by examinations and other demonstrations of knowledge or skills acquired outside the traditional classroom. These include appropriate life and work experiences in addition to formal learning through military schools, proprietary schools, or training programs.

US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps
Can request official transcripts here

US Air Force
Can request official transcripts here

Calendar of Events:
happening for veterans at MCCC, Mercer County. and New Jersey