Information for Veterans
Thomas College is strongly committed to supporting men and women who have served our nation through military service. Our goal is to provide resources and access to VA Educational Benefits and connect Veterans to programs at Thomas College which will prepare them for success in their personal and professional lives.
Students attending Thomas College who are eligible to receive VA Educational Benefits may qualify for one of the following Chapters of the GI Bill of Educational Assistance:
CHAPTER 30 Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
CHAPTER 31 The Vocational Rehabilitation Program
CHAPTER 33 The Post-9/11 GI Bill
CHAPTER 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
CHAPTER 1606 Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
CHAPTER 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
STEPS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
Apply to Thomas College and receive an letter of acceptance
Apply for financial aid (optional)
Pay a new student deposit
Register for classes
Apply for VA benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs
Complete a request for certification of veterans benefits
Attend class!
Change of Information
If a student receiving VA benefits wishes to change their major, or place of training, they must complete the necessary forms in order to satisfy VA requirements. These forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.
If your phone number or address changes, please call the VA Regional Office in Buffalo, NY @ 1-888-442-4551 to make the necessary changes.
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran's Affairs (CHAMPVA)
It is the responsibility of the student to request verification of enrollment each semester from the Office of the Registrar. Students must be certified with CHAMPVA every semester to receive this benefit.
Full-time/Part-time status
In order to receive maximum benefits, a student must be considered at full-time status which requires a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester. Graduate students need only six credit hours for full-time status.
What is W.A.V.E.?
W.A.V.E. stands for Web-Automated Verification of Enrollment. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. You can check the status of your enrollment, update your personal information, update your direct deposit information and report changes to your enrollment directly to the VA. You MUST verify your enrollment every month, on the last day of the month, if you are currently enrolled in Chapters 30, 1606 or 1607. Chapter 33 does not require monthly verification. Your monthly payment will not be processed until you verify your enrollment for the month.
Contact us:
Erin Reinhard
Loan and Veterans Assistant Program Coordinator
(207) 859-1423
sfsloan@thomas.edu
Useful Links
VA Regional Office
For questions on educational benefit, call toll free at 1-888-442-4551; fax 716-551-4103.
VA Regional Office
PO Box 4616
Buffalo , NY 14240-4616
Please visit the official VA website for a detailed explanation of benefits
http://www.gibill.va.gov
Click here to apply online for Veterans Benefits:
http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
Click here for Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E)
https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do
Dept of Veteran Affairs - Veteran Benefits Administration:
http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/
Various VA forms are located here:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm
