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VA Benefit Chapters
TheÌý(VA) administers a variety of education benefit programs. Many Veterans and Active Duty personnel may qualify for more than one program.
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Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill®-AD) – Chapter 30 is the educational program for active duty or prior active duty. It expires 10 years after separation and must be relinquished if member applies for Post 9/11 benefit. This benefit is only a monthly stipend based on credit hours with no on campus course restrictions. No money comes to the school. ÌýFor detailed information visitÌýÌý.
Benefit Payment
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Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness & Employment) -Ìý assists eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs.ÌýThis includes benefits for post-secondary education. VeteransÌýmust firstÌýÌýand receive an appointment with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). Students are directed to contact their local VA office to obtain detailed information or call 1-800-827-1000.
Benefit Payment
Veterans have a maximum of 48 months of benefits. Chapter 31 pays for training expenses, including tuition, fees, necessary books, supplies, and equipment, and will provide the veteran with a monthly subsistence allowance during training.
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Chapter 33 (Post- 9/11 GI Bill®)Ìý - TheÌýprovides up to 36 months ofÌýeducation benefitsÌýto individuals who served after September 10, 2001. The Post 9/11 GI Bill® is for anyone who served after 9/11/2001 on active duty federal orders. The percentage of eligibility the student receives is determined by their active duty time from 2001 until now. Not all students are 100% eligible. They may have a lesser percentage. The member can also transfer this benefit to a spouse or children (step, half, adopted, etc.) if they meet certain criteria set forth by the Department of Defense (DOD). The transfer must be approved before the member leaves active duty.
Benefit Payment
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Chapter 35 (Dependents’ Educational Assistance) – The DEA program provides up to 45 months of educational benefits for spouses and children of 100% service-connected disabled veterans through the VA or those who passed of a service-connected disability. Benefits for children are good up to the age of 26. The monthly stipend is based on credit hours each month.
Benefit Payment
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Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve – TheÌýÌýprovides up to 36 months of eligibility toÌýmembers of the Selected Reserve.ÌýThisÌýincludes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard.ÌýReservist must be actively drilling and have a 6-year obligation in the Selected Reserve
This benefit is for National guardsmen and Reservists. It is a monthly stipend paid directly to the student based on credit hours per month.
Benefit Payment
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Students are encouraged to explore the following Louisiana State Benefits for Military Affiliated Students:
STEP (Louisiana National Guard State Tuition Exemption Program) – The Louisiana National Guard STEP program provides a tuition waiver to the Louisiana National Guard members in good standing with the guard. The waiver covers tuition only. The following requirements must be met:
A list of eligible guard members is sent to the University from New Orleans before every term. New users may have to be added to the list by New Orleans if their name does not appear. This benefit is typically used in conjunction with the CH 1606 or Post 9/11 benefit (if they have any active duty time on federal orders). Students can check on guard waiver eligibility by contacting (504)278-8273 or contacting SGT Acker at leonard.c.acker.civ@army.mil . For more information visit theÌý. Students are directed to contact the Student Accounts Office in Coenen Hall to initiate the application of the STEP program at ÁùºÏͼ¿â.
Louisiana Patriot Scholarship – The Louisiana Patriot Scholarship works in conjunction with the STEP program to help Louisiana Army and Air National Guard members work towards an undergraduate degree.Ìý The Patriot Scholarship covers mandatory fees towards an undergraduate degree at Louisiana public institutions of higher learning. The process to use this benefit is similar to the STEP program.Ìý The University will receive a list of all eligible members for the STEP program and the Patriot Scholarship. Students are directed to contact the Student Accounts Office in Coenen Hall to initiate the application of the Patriot Scholarship at ÁùºÏͼ¿â.
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Title 29 (Louisiana State Dependent Exemption) – The Title 29 Benefit provides educational assistance to dependents of certain veterans of the state of Louisiana.
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Eligible students areÌýexempt from paying tuition and school-imposed fees. Student-imposed fees are not exempt. For more information or to apply for Title 29 contact your localÌý.
Eligible students will receive a Fee Exemption Certificate from the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs. Students are asked to submit the original certificate to the ÁùºÏͼ¿â Office of Veterans Affairs to receive the exemption.
Students using the Title 29 benefit must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a fulltime schedule. The Benefit is valid up to the age of 25. The VA requires that the veteran must reside in the state for children to use the benefit.Ìý Please see the following link for more information: Ìý
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Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Armed Services.
Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. It is recommended that the student speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their military service to determine which VA or Military benefit(s) the student could qualify. Students who are interested in using Tuition Assistance are directed to apply online each semester using the appropriate military service portal:
When the student receives an approved TA form from the associated branch of military service, the student is directed to contact Ms. Ginger Bigelow – Tuition Assistance Official, at the Student Accounts Office in Coenen Hall. Ms. Bigelow can be reached via email at bigelow@ulm.edu or via phone at 318-342-7920.
The student can provide a copy of the approved TA form via email or in person to the Tuition Assistance Official. The Tuition Assistance Official also checks the United States Armed Forces Academic Institution Portal (AIPORTAL) on a regular basis for approved TA forms associated with ÁùºÏͼ¿â students.
The Tuition Assistance Official receives approved TA forms from students or retrieves approved TA forms from the AIPORTAL and performs the following steps:
The specific branch of the military will send an authorization to the Tuition Assistance Official through the AIPORTAL for payment for the student’s tuition and fees.
At the end of the semester, the Tuition Assistance Official submits final grade information for the student through the AIPORTAL.
Students receiving TA must contact the Tuition Assistance Official if they drop or withdraww from a class. If a student receiving TA fails a class or withdraws from a class, the associated service branch will seek repayment directly from the student.
NOTE: Tuition Assistance usually cannot be used with any type of GI Bill®. Contact your TA administrator for details.
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VA Reimbursements
If a student receivesÌýÌýthe student may be also eligible for reimbursement for the following educational expenses:
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Additional ÁùºÏͼ¿â Benefits to Military Affiliated Students
Free tutoring is available to any ÁùºÏͼ¿â student through the Student Success Center. Information regarding tutoring is found at the following link: /studentsuccess/tutoring.html .
ÁùºÏͼ¿â students who are veterans or on active duty are eligible for early course registration each semester.Ìý Any student who is a veteran or actively serving should contact the SCO to ensure they are on the list for early registration.
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