Veterans Educational Assistance

Certification of benefits is provided by the veterans certifying officials in the Office of Enrollment Services at CCRI. The certifying officials are the liaisons between CCRI and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and help students through the process of applying for VA educational benefits.

Service members/veterans, who qualify for one of the following eligibility statuses as described below, should select the Veterans Affairs (VA) Certification and CCRI Enrollment Steps link. The information is designed to assist students in completing the necessary steps to receive VA Educational Benefits.

    Eligibility Status
    Chapter 30 – Veterans/Active Duty
    Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation
    Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill
    Chapter 35 – Veteran’s Spouse/Dependent
    Chapter 1606 – National Guard/Reserves
    Chapter 1607 – REAP Program
 

• Quick Links:
  • The United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • VA Certification & CCRI Enrollment Steps
  • VA Certification Worksheet
  • General Information
  •     – Advance pay, Waivers, Military Credit, Academic Support, Information Sessions
  • Helpful VA links & Telephone numbers
  • Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
  •     – New Education Benefit (Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill)
  • CCRI Student Veterans Club
  • CCRI VA Contact Information
  • Announcements

  

   

  General Information

  Advance pay – CCRI does not participate in advance pay. Students are responsible for their tuition and fees; however, CCRI encourages students to enroll in the deferred payment program (Tuition Management Systems). For additional information, visit the Bursar’s Office Web site at www.ccri.edu/bursar.

  Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill Only - The VA will send tuition and fee payment directly to the college based on percentage approved by the VA. Students are responsible for any unpaid balance.

  Waivers – The following Waivers and Tuition Assistance Programs are handled through the Bursar’s Office:

  Disabled Veterans Waiver
  STAP - State Tuition Assistance Program
  STEP - State Tuition Exemption Program

  Declaring a major (program of study) – Students are allowed to enroll in courses for two semesters without declaring a major (program of study). Once accepted to a program of study, courses taken must fulfill the requirements for that program, which may include pre-requisite courses. Courses not required for the program and courses that are repeated by choice that have received a passing grade will not be included as part of the certification; therefore, will not be reimbursed by the VA.

  * Please be advised that the VA will only compensate for courses that apply to a student's certificate or degree program. Student's who meet with an academic advisor to select courses should inform the advisor that they are receiving VA benefits.

  Military or Prior Learning Experiential credits – for information about military or prior learning experiential credits, visit www.ccri.edu/PriorLearning/military.shtml or contact Peter Woodberry, Dean of Business, Science and Technology at (401) 825-2147.

  Academic Support – A wide variety of support services are available to assist students with academic related matters:

  Office of Advising and Counseling – www.ccri.edu/Advising
  Student Success Centers – www.ccri.edu/success
  Disability Services – www.ccri.edu/dss

  Information Sessions – CCRI holds Admissions Information Sessions for new and current (non-degree) students to introduce them to what CCRI has to offer. To find an available Admissions Information Session, please use the Available Courses link available in the Quick Links section of the CCRI Home Page, or by clicking here. Use the SEARCH by subject, day, time and site link, select a term and select Admissions Information Session using the Subject: listing.

  

   

  Helpful VA links & Telephone Numbers

  To apply for VA benefits online: vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
  To verify your monthly enrollment to the VA: www.gibill.va.gov

  (888) 442-4551 VA related problems
          (enter “1” for touchtone and then enter “0” to reach a counselor)
  (800) 829-4833 TDD number for hearing impaired
  (401) 223-3605 RI Vocational Rehabilitation Division
  (716) 857-3148 Program Assistant for answering questions about VACERT and VA-ONCE

  

   

  FAQs

  Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill)

  Who is eligible for Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill?
  The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 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.

  When is Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill effective?
  The Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill went into effect on August 1, 2009.

  Is the Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit transferrable to a veteran’s spouse or dependents?
  Veterans should follow up with their VA educational officer for information on potential transferability.

  What is the main Web site for the VA?
  www.gibill.va.gov

  

   

  Student Veterans Club

  The Students Veterans Club provides a network of support for military veterans, their families and supporters. Secondly, the club educates the college community about the experiences of military veterans and works with the college administration to meet the needs of current and prospective student veterans.

  For details about the Veterans Club contact:
  Rob Sanchez - Knight Campus contact information coming soon
  Paul Martinez - Flanagan Campus psmartinez@ccri.edu (401) 749-4751

  

   

  CCRI VA Contact Information

  Students interested in more information about enrollment certification should contact the Office of Enrollment Services via e-mail at va@ccri.edu or by calling (401) 825-2003. Please include your CCRI student ID number or social security number within your email.

  

   

  Announcements

  • 5/18/09
  Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education Announces In-State Tuition Program for Veterans

  

This page developed and maintained by the Office of Enrollment Services at CCRI. Send comments and suggestions to the OES Web Information Provider ©2009, Community College of Rhode Island - All rights reserved.

This page last modified on: March 19, 2010