Current Military Students

Your veterans’ educational benefits are provided through the GI Bill®. Your entitlement period varies based on the educational program you are using (which, in turn, is based on your service history).

1. Apply for benefits at va.gov. (Check current rates.)
2. Bring to your school certifying official (SCO) a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (received from the VA upon application approval) and your most recent Member 4 DD-214.
3. Submit a copy of your course schedule to your SCO every semester. If you withdraw from a class or change your enrollment in any way, contact your SCO immediately.

Important points:

• You can set up direct deposit for your benefits when you first apply or by contacting the VA.
• You will not receive veterans’ benefit payments during small breaks in school attendance. However, you can use the GI Bill® during our summer sessions.
• If you are transferring from another institution where you previously received benefits, You will need to notify the Department of Veterans Affairs that you are changing institutions. If you are the veteran, you will fill out Form 22-1995: Change of Place/Program of Training. If you are a dependent/spouse of a veteran, you will fill out Form 22-5495: Dependent Request for Change of Program or Place of Training.
• In order to get a Transfer of Eligibility (TEB), you must determine if your dependent is eligible to receive funds through the Department of Defense.
• The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (VR&E) is separate from the GI Bill®. Learn more about VR&E.

Certification is the formal process of notifying the VA of a student’s enrollment status. You are required to submit a student schedule each semester to your school certifying official if you wish to receive educational benefits.

Failure to submit your schedule may result in an over-payment, under-payment, and/or non-payment of your benefits.

Your school certifying official is required by law to report all student enrollment status changes to the VA. Enrollment changes include adding or dropping courses, changing your major or program, repeating a course that you have already received a letter grade in, if you stop attending or withdraw from school, and any changes in your contact information.

• Change of major/program: If you decide to change your major or program, you are required to submit VA FORM 22-1995 Change of Program or Place of Training to the VA using VONAPP. If you cannot access VONAPP, contact your school certifying official for a paper version of the form.
• Course adds, drops, and withdrawals: Your school certifying official is required to report any changes in enrollment to the VA; therefore, you are required to notify your school certifying official immediately if you add, drop, or withdraw from any courses throughout your semester. You may be required to pay back a portion of your benefits if a course is dropped, withdrawn, or receives a non punitive grade. It is your responsibility to verify information certified to the VA and repay any overpayment, if necessary. You must be enrolled full-time in order to receive full benefits. Students receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits who withdraw are subject to benefit repayment unless there are extenuating circumstances, with an appeal process between the student and the VA.
• Repeat or duplication: If you fail a course or receive a grade below departmental requirements, the course may be repeated and receive VA educational benefits. All other repeats or duplications CANNOT be certified.

Military withdrawal process

Full military withdrawal policy is in the college catalog.

If you enter into military service and/or are called into active duty prior to the end of an academic term, there is no tuition or fee liability.

For students whose U.S. military unit is called into active duty, and who need to depart from Jamestown Community College as a result, degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students should complete JCC’s total withdrawal process, including written verification of their military orders, and return to:

• Jamestown Campus and North County Center students: Registrar’s Office (COCE)
• Cattaraugus County Campus students: Student Services Center (COLL)

Note: The term "military service" means full-time active duty in the Army, Navy (including Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard of the United States, or qualifying National Guard duty during a war, other military operation, or national emergency as defined in Section 5 of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act (Public Law 108-76).

Enlistment under a delayed enlistment plan does not constitute "full-time duty" until the student is required to leave school on the effective date of active duty as stated in the student's or family member’s orders.

Process for students whose military reserve unit is activated toward the end of the semester

An exception for the need to be released from courses may arise if the call to active duty occurs near the end of the academic term, when the student has completed all or most course requirements. In such situations, students should consult with their instructors to negotiate a grade. At that time an instructor can opt to give the student a grade on the work that has been completed thus far or an "I" (incomplete) so the student can complete the coursework at a later time. It is up to each course instructor to assign a letter grade or an "I".

Note: If an "I" is assigned, both the student and the instructor should clearly discuss the conditions for completing the course. Again, it will the discretion of the instructor to opt to give a letter grade or assign an "I".

Students will be responsible for all tuition and fees for any course(s) in which they receive an "I" or a final grade.