Military, Veterans and Family

Applying for your VA education benefits can be done in just a few steps:

• Apply online.
• Visit your nearest VA regional office to apply in person. Consult with the Veteran’s Coordinator —we are located in the Student Success Center, and Financial Aid office at Atlanta Technical College. The VA Team assists students with completing their VA application forms, applying for the college, and applying for financial aid assistance.
• Call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551) to have the application mailed to you.

It normally takes the VA processing center 6-8 weeks to process new educational claims, so please plan accordingly.

1. Never used Education Benefits * If you have not already, please apply online with VA.
   Visit www.va.gov Education tab > Apply for Education Benefits
2. After applying for admission to ATC, students should complete the 2019-2020 Veteran’s Information form. This form is to be completed and returned to the Veterans Coordinator or Certifying Official.
3. Once accepted, please email your current class schedule and your approved Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is provided to the applicant by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Also, a printable statement of education benefits from va.gov is acceptable.
4. Know you monthly education payment rate(s) for the upcoming academic year.

1. Update Veterans Coordinator or the Certifying Official of any address changes, or academic program changes by completing a 2019-2020 Veteran’s Information form.
2. After course registration, please email course schedule to your VA Team.
3. Know you monthly education payment rate(s) for the upcoming academic year.

1. Attended College, and received VA benefits.* Please complete VF 22-1995 or VF 22-5495, if not already completed online with VA.
   Visit www.va.gov Education tab > Change your current education benefits
2. After applying for admission to ATC, students should complete the 2019-2020 Veteran’s Information form. This form is to be completed and returned to the Veterans Coordinator or the Certifying Official.
3. Once accepted, please email your current class schedule and approved Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is provided to the applicant by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Also, a printable statement of education benefits from va.gov is acceptable.
4. Know you monthly education payment rate(s) for the upcoming academic year.

Specific information on each chapter can be found on the VA’s website: https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool

• Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30): (active duty or veteran status) must have served in the United States Armed Forces and participated in the GI Bill program. In most instances, veterans must also have been honorably discharged.
• Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 1606): (selected guard and reserves) must have completed all initial entry training (IET) and are now assigned to a Reserve and/or a Georgia National Guard Unit.
• VA Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31): (service-connected disabled veterans) must make application with local VA caseworker to have rehabilitation plan developed indicating a ATC degree plan.
• Post 9/11 (Chapter 33): must have active duty service on or after September 11, 2001. Benefit is based on service credits.
  Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) students, please see link to GI Bill website on how your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is calcuated by VA.

https://gibill.custhelp.va.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1480/kw/online%20classes Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) (Chapter 35): Dependents and spouses of 100% disabled or deceased veterans.

• Students using VA Benefits at ATC have ongoing responsibilities to the VA and ATC.
• Student’s entitlement is based upon the number of credit hours for which they are certified by the Certifying Official. If changes are made after VA processes the student’s certification, the Certifying Official must be notified by the student.
• Twelve (12) credit hours is considered full-time at Atlanta Technical College.
• VA monthly payment rates can be viewed on the VA website:
  https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/resources/benefits_resources/rate_tables.asp
Students must notify the VA Certifying Official of any of the following:
1. Change of degree program
2. Change in current semester schedule
3. Change of address
4. Out more than three semesters
5. Student does not want a semester certified

• Please see The Office of Financial Aid’s website for information on applying for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). School Code: 00856.
• Non Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 students are responsible for paying all tuition and fees by the first day of school, or payment deadline, whichever comes first. We encourage students to check their account summary by term (Banner Student Web) one week prior to the published payment deadline to confirm amount owed to the College. These applicants are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid Assistance.
• Georgia residents earning a Diploma/Degree program at ATC, and have not earned a Bachelor’s Degree, may be eligible for the HOPE GRANT Program.

The Business Office will continually notify students via their student email account until their account balance is paid in full by the semester’s payment deadline. Under the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-407), Atlanta Technical College allows our GI Bill and VR&E students (Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 beneficiaries) to attend a course of education or training for up to 90 days from the date the start of the term, if the student provides a valid certificate of eligibility, or VAF 28-1905 to the VA Team. For Non-Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 beneficiaries, if tuition and fees payment is not received by the payment deadline, then the student’s course schedule would be removed by ATC Business Office, and the student would not have a financial penalty due to the college for tuition and fees. Students will receive a warning message from the Bursar to confirm the date of this process. Please contact the Certifying Official if you have questions or concerns on submitting tuition and fees payment(s) by the payment deadline. Please read section carefully to review the financial agreement for Atlanta Technical College.

• Chapter 30, 32, 1606, 1607, and 35: Student is responsible for paying tuition and fees by the payment deadline.
• Chapter 33 (Post-9/11): Student will be placed on a deferment plan for 90 days from the start of the term until the Department of Veteran Affairs provides tuition and fees payment to the Atlanta Technical College.
  Vets receiving Post 9/11 benefits must have a valid COE (Certificate of Eligibility) on file in our office to qualify for the deferment plan.
  *Failure to provide Certificate of Eligibility will result in Veteran paying full tuition and fees by deadline.
• Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehab): Student will be placed on a deferment plan for 90 days from the start of the term until the Department of Veteran Affairs provides tuition and fees payment to the Atlanta Technical College.
  Vets receiving Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits must have a current VA Form 28-1905 on file from their Voc. Rehab Counselor to qualify for the deferment plan.
  *Failure to provide VAF 28-1905 form will result in Veteran paying full tuition and fees by deadline.

• The Department of Veterans Affairs have mandatory regulations regarding Academic Progress and approved academic programs for which impacts students receiving education benefits. Click here to read the school’s policy concerning academic probation/suspension. ATC students receiving education benefits must adhere to the academic school’s policy.
• Twelve (12) credit hours is considered full-time at Atlanta Technical College.
• Please contact the VA team to verify if your academic program of study is approved by our State Approving Agency.

Students utilizing Tuition Assistance (TA) through the Department of Defense (DOD), who withdraw from any course before the 60% point of the term, will have unearned funds returned on a proportional basis to the TA program. The calculation will be based on: number of days completed divided by total days in the enrollment period (semester).

• Students receiving VA Benefits are required to furnish school &/or military transcript(s) of all previous education and training, and submit a ATC Transcript Evaluation Form to the Registrar Office.
• Army Personnel Website: http://aarts.army.mil
• Navy Personnel Website: https://smart.navy.mil
• VA does not pay for repeated coursework earned at another college. However, if a student failed a class, or if the ATC program of study requires a higher grade than the one achieved in a particular class for successful completion, that class may be repeated, and certified to VA again.

Financial Aid students may visit the ATC Bookstore if they have a financial aid credit on their account summary, this option is available the first two weeks of school.

Chapter 31 students may visit the Bookstore to purchase required books/supplies, up to $40, and other expenses approved on their VAF 28-1905 form approved by VRC.

Chapter 33 students receive a yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.00 paid proportionately based on enrollment.

Before the start of each term, to receive your first month of eligible monthly payment(s) at the appropriate time from VA, please submit your class schedule to your VA Team no later than three weeks before the start of the term, and submit any changes that may follow, in person or via email.

All students receiving Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606 benefits must verify their monthly enrollment no earlier than the last day of each month or after. The benefit (monetary award) will not be released by the VA until this is done. Enrollment verification can be accomplished by using the VA toll-free telephone number 1.877.823.2378 or the WAVE feature found on the VA website www.ebenefits.va.gov.

Chapter 35 students enrolled in Diploma and Certificate programs only, must verify monthly enrollment no earlier than the last day of each month or after by contacting the VA toll-free telephone number 1.877.823.2378.

Questions regarding student eligibility and approved payment(s) should be directed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

Phone: 1.888.GI.BILL.1 (1.888.442.4551)
Ask a Question Online: www.gibill.custhelp.va.gov, click on “Ask a Question or Find Answers.

Malika Amlett<
Phone: 404-225-4718
Email: Veterans@atlantatech.edu

Bernita Banks
Phone: 404-225-4022
Email: bbanks@atlantatech.edu

The ATC Veterans’ Club was established to provide support and a forum for those interested in veterans’ issues. Club events may include, but are not limited to, film discussions, guest speakers, community service, field trips, and social events. Membership is open to any student, staff member, or faculty member with an interest in veterans’ issues. For more information, please contact Veterans’ Club Advisor Bernita Banks by e-mail or phone at 404.225.4022 for meeting times, and upcoming events.