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Rochester Community and Technical College Veteran's Services

NEW:
Higher Education Veterans Programs

RCTC VA Advisors and Counselors

Joshua Howe- MNDVA Regional Coordinator EA 109, ph 507-529-6142 e-mail: joshua.howe@roch.edu

Glen Saponari- RCTC VA certifying Official, SS 134, ph 507-280-5511 e-mail: glen.saponari@roch.edu

Greg Wright- RCTC Counselor- Military Credit transfer, EA 141, ph 507-280-3518, e-mail: gregory.wright@roch.edu

VA Educational Benefits:

APPLYING FOR VA ED BENEFITS

After Applying for RCTC, Services members go to www.gibill.va.gov. Complete a VA online application (VONAP). If you are unsure of which chapter of VA ED, see description below of the different chapters of Educational Benefits or ask campus VA ED advisor.

• Chapter 30 - Former Active Duty
• Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation
• Chapter 33- Post 9/11 on Active duty after 9/10/2001
• Chapter 35 - Survivor/Dependent
• Chapter 1606 – Guard/Reserve
• Chapter 1607 – Guard/Reserve (Activated after 9/11/2001)
  

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

In order to prevent delays in receiving your benefits, it will be necessary for you to comply with the following:

1. Follow courses that are within your major. If you change your major inform the VA Certifying official (contact is above).
   
2. Report your registration, changes, or withdrawals to RCTC VA Certifying Officials.
   
3. Monthly verify your attendance to the VA on the WAVE, (presently CH 33 is exempt from monthly verification) WAVE call in number 1-877-823-2378, on set up a WAVE account at www.gibill.va.gov.
4. Any questions or concerns please contact the Regional Coordinator, RCTC VA certifying official or VA online at www.gibill.va.gov (use Ask a question) or call the VA at 1-888-442-4551.

TRAINING TIME (VA ALSO USES RATE OF PURSUIT) AND PROCESSIONG

To be considered full-time, you must be enrolled in 12 or more credits that meet the entire semester.

Full-time = 12 or more credits
3/4-time = 9 – 11 credits
1/2-time = 6 – 8 credits
Less than half-time= 4-5 credits
1/4 time or less= 1-3 credits

• Initial processing for you VA ED benefits application is 10-12 weeks.
• Your enrollment will be certified after contacting the Certifying Officials of your registration.
• Veterans may have their tuition deferred until receiving their VA ED benefits
• Book deferments are available for all veteran's receiving VA Ed benefits

RESOURCES

REGIONAL COORDINATORS OFFICE

RCTC is the home of one of the headquarters for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Higher Education Veterans Programs. This office is available to provide veterans and current military members, as well as their families, with information regarding benefits, veteran’s employment help, family assistance, and transition issues.

To contact the Veterans Resource Office,
call 507-529-6142 or e-mail joshua.howe@roch.edu
EA 115 (office)

VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER

RCTC offers student veterans an on-campus point of contact for all of their veteran-related questions and needs. Being staffed by student veterans, the resource center provides a friendly one stop service for veterans, current military members, and their families. Students seeking information regarding their benefits can contact the Veterans Resource Center to get information regarding a specific issue or to schedule an appointment for consultation.

To contact the Veterans Resource Center,
call 280-3184 or e-mail: joshua.howe@roch.edu

The center is located on the fourth floor College Center CC409.

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

VA Certifying Official - Glen Saponari

Contact via e-mail at: glen.saponari@roch.edu SS134 (office)

Advising/Counseling Center - 1-507-285-7260

Transfer of Military Credits - Gregg Wright (Counselor)

OLMSTED COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE

MINNEAPOLIS VA MEDICAL CENTER

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS

• Verify Enrollment - WAVE or 1-877-823-2378
• Case Manager - 1-888-GIBILL-1 or 1-888-442-4551
• Questions about inaccurate payments- www.gibill.va.gov. Select "Ask a Question"

EDUCATIONAL FORMS & RESOURCES

VA Ed Benefits Forms

• VA ED Application see above in: Applying for VA Ed Benefits
• Army transcript request: http://aarts.army.mil/
• Navy/Marine transcript request: https://smart.navy.mil/request.pdf.
• Air Force transcript request: https://augateway.maxwell.af.mil/ccaf/stu_svcs/transcript request/index.asp
• RCTC Foundation
• Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund
• Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
  • Post 9/11/2001 Service members who died in the line of duty Children's VA ED benefit.

Updated: July 7, 2011