Military and Veterans Services

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Atlantic Cape Community College provides assistance to veterans, service members and their dependents in reaching their educational goals. Atlantic Cape acknowledges all of their efforts and sacrifices in keeping our nation safe and strong and we are proudly developing new support systems to help our veterans with the transition from soldier to student.

Jerome Ingram and Antonella Catalioti

At Atlantic Cape, we are pleased to provide the services of a dedicated counselor, Renee' A. Patterson, who will be available to our Veterans for:

  • Academic career counseling
  • CSS services
  • Mental health referral services
  • and other support, as needed.

The Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Office Certifying Official, Dominic Tullio, is also available to help students navigate through the educational benefit process.

For more information on educational benefits visit: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

It is Atlantic Cape's sincere hope that by providing comprehensive student services for our Veterans, they can continue their journey toward building a bright future for themselves and their families.

For more information on services for Veterans, please call (609) 343-5129 Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs or (609) 625-1111 x4515 for Renee' Patterson ( Schedule an appointment with Renee').

VETERAN EDUCATION BENEFITS

Questions regarding the eligibility of a veteran or dependent can be answered by calling (888) 442-4551 or emailing the VA at US Department of Veterans Affairs website, www.gibill.va.gov.

Military Categories

Antonella Catalioti

If you are active duty, a member of the Army/Air National Guard, or a military dependent/spouse, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (609) 343-5082 or email  finaid@atlanticcape.edu.

Note:
At Atlantic Cape, we are pleased to provide the services of a dedicated admissions representative, Carol Fraone, who is available to any new military/veteran student.

Other Resources:

Military/Student Categories

Any individual currently under contract with any branch of the U.S. military in an active duty status may qualify for Tuition Assistance. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement between the member's command and the Atlantic Cape Cashier's office. This benefit is separate from VA Education benefits.

Prior to enrolling into an institution, service members need to first check with an education counselor or Educational Services Officer (ESO), for the specifics involving TA by visiting their local installation education office, contacting your education counselor or ESO, or by going online to a virtual education center.

Current drilling members of the New Jersey Army/Air National Guard may qualify for the state guard tuition waiver. This waiver covers the cost of tuition minus any tech fees. Guard members may also qualify for select chapters of VA education benefits which are separate from the NV Guard waiver program. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Must be a spouse, child, step-child, or adopted child of a veteran who is deceased (service connected) or is rated 100% disabled (service connected, permanent and total) or an active duty member who has transferred their education benefit to a qualifying spouse or dependent while on active duty and/or before retirement. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Any member of the U.S. military that has served on active duty and has accumulated qualifying time in service may be eligible for VA education benefits. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs, based on the following categories: qualifying active duty time, disability rating if applicable, and type of discharge from the U.S. military.
 

Higher Education Benefits Signed into Law for Veterans August 2017

Military veterans are getting unlimited access to college assistance under legislation President Donald Trump signed into law.    

The Forever GI Act removed a 15-year limit on using the benefits. The measure increases financial assistance for National Guard and Reserve members, building on a 2008 law that guaranteed veterans a full-ride scholarship to any in-state, public university or a similar cash amount to attend private colleges.  

See entire article here.

Veteran/Service Member Benefits

More information can be found here: Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty

More information can be found here: Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve

Members of the armed forces who entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985, have remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era GI bill or those who switched from the VEAP program before being involuntarily separated after February 2, 1991. Student must fill out VA Form 22-1990-Application for Educational Benefits at https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/vonapp.asp. Copy of DD-214 (Member Copy #4) and the certificate of eligibility from the VA are to be submitted to the admissions office.

Veterans having a service connected disability that entitles them to veteran compensation can receive tuition and fees paid to the college under this program. The Department of Veterans Affairs in Newark, NJ must submit VA Form 28-1905-Authorization and Certification of Entrance and Reentrance Into Rehabilitation and Certification of Status Form to the admissions office. This form allows Atlantic Cape Community College to bill the VA for tuition and fees at the time of registration.

More information can be found here: Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)

Veterans who have served at least 90 days in active duty service since September 10, 2001. Students must fill out VA Form 22-1990-Application for Education Benefits at https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/vonapp.asp. Copy of DD-214 (Member Copy 4) must be submitted to the admissions office. Submission of Form 22-1990 or certificate of eligibility (approval) from the VA is required for Atlantic Cape Community College to bill the VA for tuition and fees. At the time of registration. The BAH for Atlantic Cape Community College effective January 2011 is $1,992 per month. The percentage of eligibility for the Chapter 33 benefit as defined by the VA will determine the exact BAH benefit for each veteran.

More information can be found: Post 911 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

Surviving spouses and children of veterans who died of a service connected death, disability, or surviving spouses and children of veterans with a permanent service connected disability. Students submit VA Form 22-5490-Application For Survivor’s and Dependent’s Educational Assistance at https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. A certificate of eligibility must be submitted by the student to the admissions office in order to be certified.

More information can be found here: Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program

This benefit is for students currently serving in the selected reserves. This includes the New Jersey National and Air National Guard. Complete VA form 22-1990-Application For Educational Benefits at https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp to apply for GI Bill benefits. Form 2384 Notice of Basic eligibility (NOBE) needs to be submitted to the admissions office along with copy of a DD-214 (Member copy 4-long form). The NOBE is issued by the student’s reserve unit. If the student is in the National or Air National Guard, a complete application for financial aid must be on file with Atlantic Cape Community College in order to use the tuition waiver. This form is issued to the student from their local reserve unit.

Veteran Certification Process

All students utilizing Veteran Benefits, no matter what Chapter, must complete and submit Veteran Student Academic Advisement Transmittal Form for the specific semester that the benefit will be used, to the School Certifying Official (SCO). The transmittal must be signed by an academic advisor and the student. All signatures MUST be handwritten. Typed or computer-generated signatures cannot be accepted. The transmittal form allows the SCO to certify veteran education benefits.  Veteran benefit recipients must follow this process to utilize their veteran education benefits.

NJ NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS

If you are eligible to take part in the New Jersey National Guard Tuition Waiver Program and have already received your tuition bill in the mail, come visit Financial Aid/Veteran Affairs. You must bring a Commander’s Certification with you and you must have already filed for financial aid (FAFSA). A tuition waiver form will be completed at this time and tuition will be waived by the Bursar’s Office.  Please note that you are responsible for student fees at the time tuition is waived.

POST 9/11 GI BILL® (CHAPTER 33 “NEW GI BILL®”)

To utilize your GI Bill® benefits, you must provide the Financial Aid Office/Veteran Affairs with a letter of eligibility. Upon receipt of this letter, the Bursar will be notified of the percentage of your eligibility and tuition will be deferred for that percentage amount of entitlement, pending receipt of the benefit.  You will then be notified by the Bursar of any outstanding balances. Balances must be paid in full by Atlantic Cape’s deadline.

If you drop/add or make any changes to your schedule after being certified, you must notify the Financial Aid/Veteran Affairs Office SCO.

OTHER GI BILL® PROGRAMS (CHAPTERS 30, 35, & 1606)

To activate benefits for additional GI Bill® programs, including Chapters 30, 35, & 1606, students must submit a completed and signed Veteran Student Academic Advisement Transmittal Form.  Chapter 35 students must include their VA file number on their transmittal form, which appears on their Certificate of Eligibility letter. VA certifications will be electronically forwarded to the VA Regional Office in Buffalo, NY.

CHAPTER 31 (VETERAN READINESS & EMPLOYMENT (VR&E))

Chapter 31 students must also complete a Veteran Student Academic Advisement Transmittal Form.  Veterans must have authorization from their VR&E counselor. Upon the SCO’s receipt of an authorization from the student’s VR&E counselor, notification will be sent to both the Bursar’s Office and Campus Bookstore indicating eligibility for the Veteran Readiness & Employment Program.  Bookstore purchases are limited to books and course-related materials.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL CHAPTERS

  • GI Bill® payment should be received within six to eight weeks of processing for continuing students and eight to ten weeks for new students. Students who do not receive payment should contact the SCO in the Financial Aid Office so payment can be traced. It is strongly recommended that you participate in VA direct deposit.
  • When scheduling classes, please know that the Veterans Administration (VA) will only pay for those courses required for your degree program. Courses not required to earn your degree, will not be paid by the VA. You may take a course outside of your degree program, but you will be responsible for payment. If you have questions regarding your schedule, please contact Enrollment Services.
  • The VA will not pay for a repeated course, unless it is required for graduation and your grade was below passing standard (e.g. some majors require a grade of “C” or higher in all core courses). In this instance may be reimbursed.  Please inform the SCO if you are repeating a course.
  • If you withdraw from or add a course after you have been certified, it will be your responsibility to notify the SCO of the change in registration.
  • The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA education benefits. You may access a personalized data sheet by visiting www.atlanticcape.edu/finaid/net-price-calculator
  • Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site.  https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ 

VETERAN ENTITLEMENT INQUIRIES

Inquiries about eligibility status should be forwarded to the Department of Veteran Affairs, Educational Assistance:

(888) 442-4551

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline

Suicide Hotline for Vets: (800) 273-8255 (press 1)

The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Veterans can call the Lifeline number, (800) 273-TALK (8255), and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline.

Additional Mental Health Resources

Additional Resources for Veterans

 

ATLANTIC COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

Veterans Services Office
Robert L. Frolow, Director
201 S. Shore Road, Ground Floor
Northfield, NJ 08225
Phone (609) 677-5700
FAX (609) 677-5705

AM VETS Department of New Jersey
415 Shore Road
Somers Point, NJ 08244
Phone (609) 526-4356
FAX (609) 526-4659
Email amvets@amvets-nj.org
Web www.amvets-nj.org

Veterans Service
1601 Atlantic Avenue # 7
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Phone (609) 441-3060

CAPE MAY COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

William E. Sturm, Jr.
Administration Building
4 Moore Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone (609) 465-1000

Cape May County Veterans Bureau
4005 Route 9 South
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
Phone (609) 886-2762
M – F 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM