Elgin Community College - Providing tomorrow's education today

Answer: If you have never used your benefits, you should:

1. Complete the application for benefits at www.gibill.va.gov
2. Complete an application for admission. More»
3. Register for classes. More»
4. Submit the following to the Financial Aid Office:
   • Member 4 copy of your DD-214
   • Eligibility letter (that you received in the mail)
   • Complete request for certification of enrollment and the responsibility form.

All items must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office, Building B, Room B156, ECC Campus, prior to the start of classes for each term you are enrolled.

Note: If you do not have the eligibility letter, please complete everything else to secure your current enrollment.

Answer: Allow 30 to 60 days from the time you complete your veteran application at www.gibill.va.gov

Answer: Go to www.gibill.va.govand from the resources at the bottom of that page follow these steps:

• Select 'Road Map to Success' which informs you of the possible benefitsyou may qualify for as a veteran.
• Complete a 22190 form to the VA to receive a certificate of eligibility (COE) confirming the benefits you are able to utilize at ECC.

Please contact Career Services at 847-214-7531 for assistance.

Answer: If you are starting school for the first-time, your first housing allowance benefit/ stipend may not be for the full amount because benefits start on the day you start school.

For example: If classes start August 22, your September stipend will be for thenine (9) days you actually attended in August.

Answer: IVG, ING, and Chapter 33 - Post 911 will send tuition and/or fee payments directly to the school.

• If you are not receiving 100% of tuition reimbursement from Chapter 33, you are responsible for any balance due to ECC.
• The IVG and ING will cover only tuition charges, you are responsible for all lab fees and books.
• If you are receiving other benefits, you must complete a payment plan to secure your classes for that semester, or use financial aid if you qualify or Chapter 30 benefits.

Answer: Anita Nelson, financial aid advisor & VA certifying official. Contact:847-214-7520 or email at anelson@elgin.edu. She is located in the Financial Aid Office, Building B, Room B156, ECC Campus.

NOTE: Verification of Enrollment Status

• Chapter 31, Chapter 32 & Chapter 33 - ECC will certify monthly that you are still enrolled. If you make any changes to your schedule, please update that information with the Financial Aid Office to avoid any overpayments or delay in receiving monthly stipends.
• Chapter 30, Chapter 35, Chapter 1606 & Chapter 1607 - You, the student, must complete the certification monthly www.gibill.va.gov/wave to avoid any overpayments or delay in receiving monthly stipends. By telephone only this agency is not allowing you to certify by the internet. The number to call to verify your enrollment status is: 1-877-823-2378.

Answer: Anitra King, career and veterans specialist. She can be contacted at 847-214-7531, or email at aking@elgin.edu. She is located in the Career Services Office, Building B, Room B120, ECC Campus. Anitra can assist you with:

• Your application for benefits
• Questions you may have regarding your benefits
• Instructor and class issues and concerns
• Career planning
• Any other concerns you may have

Answer:

Federal Benefits

888-442-4551 – www.gibill.va.gov

• Chapter 30 - Montgomery - GI Bill - (until 1985)
• Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation
• Chapter 32 - V.E.A.P. (Veterans Educational Assistance Program)
• Chapter 33 - Post 911
• Chapter 34 - older version of chapter 31
• Chapter 35 - Survivors’ and Dependence Educational Assistance Program
• Chapter 1606 - Montgomery Selected Reserve
• Chapter 1607 - R.E.A.P. (Reserved Educational Assistance Program)

State Benefits

800-899-4722 – www.collegezone.com

• Illinois National Guard Program - ING
• Illinois Veteran Grant Program - IVG

POW and MIA

217-782-6641 (MIA/POW scholarships for spouses and dependents only)

Need more information on these benefits? Visit www.gibill.va.gov

Answer: As a veteran your classes are tied to your benefits; therefore, our system will not allow you drop classes until you speak with Anitra King, career and veterans specialist. She can be contacted at 847-214-7531, or email at aking@elgin.edu. She is located in the Career Services Office, Building B, Room B120, ECC Campus.

This will assure you fully understand your benefits and avoid overpayments. Any overpayments that you receive must be paid back to the federal agency.

To complete an add/drop form and properly certify your benefits you will need to speak with Anita Nelson, financial aid advisor and VA certifying official. She can be contacted at 847-214-7520, or email at anelson@elgin.edu.

Answer: Make good grades = keep benefits, bad grades = loss of benefits. Satisfactory academic progress is defined as the attainment of a 2.0 cumulative GPA (grade point average) which will be a grade of C or higher. It is critical to maintain satisfactory academic progress towards your degree.

Failure to make SAP

You will also need to complete an appeal for reinstatement at the Financial Aid Office, Building B, Room B156, ECC Campus. If denied reinstatement, you will not be able to utilize benefits until you meet the guidelines.

Answer: The tuition will stay intact. However, any housing allowance and book expenses you received may have to be repaid back before you can use additional benefits.

Answer: ECC sponsors a club just for veterans - Military Branches United (MBU). Please contact the club by email at mbuecc@live.com. Stop by the Student Life Office, Building B, Room B151 and ask about MBU, and they will have information on where and when the club meets.

To get information about the MBU club, on current and past events, visit www.militarybranchesunited.webs.com