OCtech is approved for all college-related veterans’ educational programs. Any veteran, dependent of a deceased or totally disabled veteran, veteran on active duty, or active reservist or national guardsman may be eligible to receive veteran’s educational benefits. Please contact Elizabeth Rivers in the Veteran’s Affairs Office at 535-1223 for more information.

How to Apply for Veterans Benefits
To apply for benefits, the veteran or eligible person must first be accepted into a program of study by the Admissions Office and then report to the Veterans Affairs office in the Student and Community Life Center with a certified copy of their DD214 or, if an active reservist, a copy of their DD2384 NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility) form.

Chapter 30- The Montgomery GI Bill: This program provides educational benefits for individuals entering military service after June 30, 1985.

Any previous recipient of “old” GI Bill benefits (Chapter 34) who expects to continue to receive veteran educational benefits should report them as Chapter 30 on this form.

Chapter 31- Vocational Rehabilitation for Service- Disabled Veterans: This program is for individuals who have a compensable service-connected disability and the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs determines that training and rehabilitation services are needed to overcome an employment handicap. Students reporting this benefit must report the monthly subsistence allowance on this form.

Chapter 32- Post –Vietnam Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program (VEAP): This is a voluntary contributory matching program for individuals entering service after December 31, 1976.

Chapter 35- Dependents Educational Assistance Program: This program is for dependents (spouse or children) of individuals who die or are permanently disabled from service-connected causes.

Chapter 1606- Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve (old Chapter 106): This program is available to members of the Selected Reserve, including the National Guard.

Chapter 107- Educational Assistance Test Program: This program is limited to persons (sometimes dependents) who enlisted or reenlisted in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps after September 30, 1980, and before October 1, 1981.

S.C. Free Tuition for Certain Veterans’ Children:
A child of a wartime veteran, upon application to and approval by the South Carolina Division of Veteran’s Affairs, may be admitted to any state supported college, university or post high school technical education institution free of tuition, providing his work and conduct is satisfactory to the governing body of the institution. For more information concerning the qualifications for this benefit, please contact Sharon Bowman in the Veteran’s Affairs Office in building S.
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Average Processing Time for VA Applications

The current average processing time for original claims is 41 days.

The current average processing time for supplemental claims is 22.5 days.

Contact Information
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs can be reached by phone toll free at 1-888-442-4551 or via e-mail @ www.va.gov/education.

NASFAA has created a Reserve/Guard Call-Up Financial Aid Page for students. Students in the Reserve and Guard may access this resource from the Parents & Students area of the NASFAA Web Site at http://www.nasfaa.org/ParentsStudents.asp?Tab=ParentsStudents

Standards of Academic Progress
Veteran students of all types and chapters and SC State Free Tuition Students must meet academic progress standards or risk having their academic benefits suspended. The Standards of Academic Progress for financial aid are the guidelines used for veteran students even if you are not receiving financial assistance other than veteran’s benefits. Please review the standards listed in the college catalog thoroughly as it is the student’s responsibility to understand the requirements.
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Military and College Transcript Information
All veterans are required to provide official copies of all College and Military transcripts within the first two semesters or Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs will suspend their benefits until they are received and evaluated.

How long does it take to get my check after I verify enrollment?
The quickest way to receive your payment is by using direct deposit. Your benefits can be deposited into your checking or savings account in 3 to 5 days. If you choose to have a check mailed (not recommended due to delays or losses which can occur), you can expect payment in 10-14 days.

Are VA education benefits taxable?
No. Any veterans’ benefits paid under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

I am enrolled in school. When will I receive my benefits from VA?
If you are receiving benefits based on your status as a service person, veteran, or reservist you must verify your enrollment at the end of each month in order to receive benefits. Benefits are paid after each month of school is completed. Verification is done beginning the last day of the month using WAVE (internet access at www.gibill.va.gov) or by calling toll free 1-877-823-2378 and using your touch tone phone. Both of these are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

If you are receiving VEAP or dependents Educational Assistance (CH 35), benefits are sent automatically at the end of each month.
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How many months of education benefits can I get?
You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits under the GI BILL after completing the full period of your enlistment. However, if you were discharged for other specific reasons before completing your enlistment period (for example, a discharge based on a service-connected disability, a medical condition, pre-existing service, hardship, or a reduction in force), you may earn only one month of entitlement for each month of active duty. If you are eligible for more than one VA education program, you may receive a maximum of 48 months of benefits.

How do I apply for Veteran’s Education Benefits?
To apply for Veteran’s Educational Benefits you must first be accepted into a program of study by the Admissions Office and then report to the Veterans Affairs Office in the Student and Community Life Center, with a certified copy of your DD214 or DD2384 NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility) form, if an active reservist. The Veterans Affairs office coordinates services for veterans and eligible persons and maintains all applications, required forms, and specific details for applying for benefits. The process for benefits approval and receipt of funds may take as long as three months.

What happens to my benefits when I drop courses or completely withdraw from school?
Any change in status such as dropping courses or withdrawing from school can put you in an overpayment status with the VA. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the college’s Veteran’s Affairs Office as well as the VA of any change in status.

How does VA benefits affect other federal and state financial aid?
It depends on the chapter that your benefits are under through the VA. For example, Chapter 31 students are not eligible for state aid (lottery) because their tuition is paid by Vocational Rehabilitation. However, they are eligible for federal aid such as Pell grants, etc.
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