Veterans’ Affairs

Veterans may be eligible for Federal and/or State benefits to assist them in completing a certificate, associate’s degree, or transportation courses. Information is available in the Financial Aid and Veterans’ Affairs Office, Room N118, at www.richland.edu/veterans or on the web at www.va.gov for Federal benefits and www.isac.org for State benefits. Richland offers the following veterans’ programs:

Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Educational Assistance Program
Chapter 31 – Disabled Veterans – Vocational Rehabilitation
Chapter 32 – Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Forever GI Bill®
Chapter 35 – Survivors and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program
Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program
Chapter 1607 – Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
Illinois Veteran Grant
Illinois National Guard Grant
MIA/POW Scholarship
Tuition Assistance

Veterans must first apply online at www.va.gov for Federal VA benefits or www.isac.org for State VA benefits.

Beginning August 1, 2019, and despite any policy to the contrary, Richland Community College will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the institution:

Prevent their enrollment;
Assess a late penalty fee;
Require that they secure alternative or additional funding:
Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to

Produce the VA's Certificate of Eligibility by the first day or class;
Provide written request to be certified;
Provide additional information needed to certify the enrollment properly as described in other institutional policies (see the VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).

Veterans requesting benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs are expected to inform the Veterans’ Affairs Coordinator of their enrollment each semester. When applying for benefits, a veteran should submit a certified Member 4 copy of the DD214 or a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE). An official academic transcript from all colleges or universities previously attended must be submitted to the Student Success Center for evaluation of transfer credits. If all transcripts are not evaluated, benefits may be suspended.

Veterans receiving benefits from the VA must inform the Veterans’ Affairs Coordinator each semester that they want to be certified for benefits. Only courses needed for the educational program will be certified. Veterans receiving benefits from the VA are encouraged to complete all credit hours certified each semester. If a veteran stops attending any course, even without formally withdrawing, the veteran is responsible to report the last date of attendance to the Veterans’ Affairs Coordinator.

“Accelerated” courses or independent study courses may affect monthly benefits, so veterans are advised to see the Veterans’ Affairs Coordinator before enrolling in these courses.

Veterans who receive benefits from the US Department of Veteran Affairs must meet the same Satisfactory Academic Progress standards for financial aid recipients. Each type of military benefit has its own limit. Student receiving military benefits will be placed on Warning and Suspension in the same manner as other financial aid students.

Students who receive the Illinois Veteran Grant, Illinois National Guard Grant, or the MIA/POW Scholarship must meet the College’s GPA standard of 2.0. Veterans receiving these benefits should inform the Veterans’ Affairs Coordinator each semester.

Veteran Tutorial Assistance

The Academic Success Center, Room S134, offers tutoring for students who need extra help in courses.