Veterans’ Information

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 On-Line Application available at the VONAPP website at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. After the application is completed on-line a copy of the current MCC student class schedule must be submitted to the MCC VA Office and it will be certified on the VA Once website by the MCC Certifying Official.

All VA Application Forms listed below are available on the VONAPP website at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

• Application for VA Education Benefits: Form 22-1990
• Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance: Form 5490
• Disabled Veteran’s Application for Vocational Rehabilitation: Form 28-1900  

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 #22-2384). 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 VA 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 Application Form 5490 and submit a copy of the student’s current class schedule. The MCC VA 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.

Procedure for subsequent certification of VA Benefits at Montcalm Community College:

The Veteran or dependent must submit a copy of the MCC student class schedule each subsequent semester to continue to receive VA Benefits. The MCC VA Office will certify the registration on line as soon as the registration is submitted.

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) at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/default.cfm. 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 VA 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.

Change of Address:

All VA Educational Benefit recipients who change address must file an MCC Request for Change of Address form and submit it to the MCC VA Office.  

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. No more than 60 required credits will be authorized.

Unsatisfactory progress can stop VA benefits. (Click hear for the MCC Academic Dismissal Policy; Scroll down to page 24.) 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.

For more information about VA education benefits, contact the Financial Aid Office at (989) 328-1205 or by e-mail at fava@montcalm.edu.