• Ch-30 Montgomery GI Bill®Active Duty benefits (MGIB-AD)
• Ch-31 Veteran Readiness & Employment benefits (Disabled Veterans)
• Ch-33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®benefits
• CH-32 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
• Ch-35 Dependents/Survivors Educational Assistance benefits (DEA)
• Ch-1606 Montgomery GI Bill®Selected Reserves benefits (MGIB-SR)
• Tuition Assistance Program (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard)
• MyCAA- My Career Advantage Account Scholarship
• New Jersey National Guard Tuition Waiver Program

Contact Information: Education Services Office – NJ Army National Guard

Benefits & Eligibility Criteria:

The Montgomery GI Bill ® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (Chapter 1606), is available to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves, as well as the National Guard.

To be eligible for the MGIB-SR you must meet the following criteria:

Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve or Guard signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation
Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT)
Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT
Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve or Guard
Procedure:

Step 1: Complete the Application for Education Benefits on the VA’s GOV website.
Step 2: Within four to eight weeks you should receive a declaration of eligibility (COE) and a letter explaining your VA GI Bill benefits. Send a copy of the COE to the Office of Financial Aid via fax at: 732.864.3865 or through your Ocean Connect Account.
**Remember that the funds are paid directly to the student, not the school.

Additional Information:

For more information, visit GI Bill ® benefits.

Benefits & Eligibility Criteria:

The Post-9/11 GI Bill ® (Chapter 33) is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001 or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

Veterans may also transfer their benefits under Post-9/11 (Chapter 33 Transfer of Benefits (TOB)) to their spouse or dependent.

This program will pay eligible individuals:

Tuition & fees directly to the school
A monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school, and annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment
A one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals payable only for training at an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL). If you are in the military, you will not receive the housing allowance or books & supplies stipend
This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits
If your last discharge or release from active duty is on or after January 1, 2013, there is no time limitation to use your benefits. If your last discharge or release from active duty is before January 1, 2013, you have 15 years to use your benefits

Procedure:

Step 1: Complete VONAPP application (print out a copy for yourself) through E-Benefits
Step 2: Send a copy of the COE (Certificate of Eligibility) to the Office of Financial Aid via fax at: 732.864.3865 or through your Ocean Connect Account.

Additional Information:

Determine your Post 9/11-GI Bill ® entitlement percentage – This is based on the number of months you have served on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001.
Determine the maximum amount the VA will pay based on the in-state tuition rate for your school’s state.
Ask your school about their per credit hour tuition and per term fees:
Multiply the maximum in-state tuition & fees by your Post-9/11 entitlement percentage and compare this to your school’s tuition and fees. If your entitlement is equal to or more than the schools tuition and fees then you are covered. There is no refund of the difference.

Scholarship Information:

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/education/Fry_Scholarship.pdf

Benefits & Eligibility Criteria:

Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) (Chapter 35) is available to the child or spouse of a veteran:

Who died or is permanently disabled as the result of a service-connected disability
Who is missing in action or captured by hostile forces
Who is forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power

Procedure:

Step 1: Complete VONAPP application (print out a copy for yourself) through E-Benefits
Step 2: Send a copy of the COE (Certificate of Eligibility) to the Office of Financial Aid via fax at: 732.864.3865 or through your Ocean Connect Account.
The COE must include the service member’s file number (this means providing the SSN of the service member from whom you derived the right to this benefit).

**Remember that the funds are paid directly to the student, not the school. Therefore, you will be responsible for your bill by the due date established by the Bursar’s office.

Typically, you would not receive your benefits until after classes have begun, which is after the bill is due. We encourage you to file a FAFSA to help meet the financial obligation until you receive and apply your benefits.

Benefits & Eligibility Criteria:

You’re eligible to apply for VR&E benefits and services if you meet both of these requirements:

All of these must be true:

• You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
• You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA

When we receive your VR&E application, we’ll schedule your initial evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). The VRC will determine if you’re entitled to receive VR&E benefits and services.

If you were discharged from active duty before January 1, 2013, your basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from one of these dates, whichever comes later:

• The date you received notice of your date of separation from active duty, or
• The date you received your first VA service-connected disability rating

The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a VRC finds that you have a serious employment handicap (SEH). Having an SEH means your service-connected disability significantly limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse; is stable; and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests).

If you were discharged from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, the 12-year basic period of eligibility doesn’t apply to you. There’s no time limit on your eligibility.

Procedure:

Step 1: Complete VONAPP application (print out a copy for yourself) through E-Benefits
Step 2: Schedule a meeting with your assigned Veteran Readiness and Employment counselor to determine benefit eligibility: O.C.C. Chp 31 Counselor assigned;

VR&E Counselor: Shawyna Gartell. Email: Shawnya.Gartrell@va.gov

C/o Ocean County Veterans Bureau
1027 Hooper Avenue – 1st Floor – Bldg 2
PO Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754
Tel#: 732-349-6106
Fax#: 732-506-5181

• If you are approved for benefits, your counselor will send a notification to the school of your eligibility. After the school completes your certification, you will be able to purchase your books in the bookstore through the voc rehab program. You can also apply to your counselor for a computer, printer, etc.

**Remember that the funds are paid directly to the school, not the student.