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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Select programs at BridgeValley Community and Technical College have been approved for GI Bill education and training benefits by the West Virginia State approving Agency.

2. All students using Chapter 33/Post-9/11 GI Bill must verify their enrollment monthly with the VA after December 17, 2021. Learn more about enrollment verification at www.va.gov.

Effective August 1, 2021, provision 1005 removes the requirement for covered individuals to enroll in a course at a public institution of higher learning within three years of being discharged to receive in-state tuition. VA will also make publicly available on the VA website a database explaining any public institution’s requirements for beneficiaries to be charged in-state tuition. Learn more about GI Bill benefits at www.va.gov.

Overview
BridgeValley Community and Technical College thanks you for your service to our country.  We are a committed institution and would like to repay you for all your sacrifices and serve your educational needs in every way we can by making sure you receive every possible opportunity.  We offer a wide range of majors and programs that can help lead to your success.

Mission Statement
The Veterans Affairs Office at BridgeValley Community & Technical College will support and advocate for Veterans, Veteran dependents, and any military-affiliated  students  during  their transition into college life.  BridgeValley will encourage an environment of trust, security and honor addressing Veterans' unique needs and will provide Veterans with resources and support to reach their educational goals.

Goals, Values, and Statement of Purpose

• Supports Veterans with lounges on both campuses
• Provides help with filling out application to start process for VA educational benefits
• Veterans Club and activities done specifically for Veterans to maintain camaraderie and fellowship
• Deliver Veterans workshops on educational benefits, percentages and length of time allowed

Facts about BridgeValley's Veterans

• Veterans Lounges/Space located on both campuses - RM 008 @ South Charleston & 312 @ Pathfinder Hall/ Montgomery
• Featured in National Magazines as a TOP 10 small college for Military and Veteran students
• Existed as Military Friendly since 2014 - Gold status since 2018
• Received the Purple Heart Award and Recognition
• A part of the National Organization - Student Veterans of America
• Awarded the 5-Star Challenge Award for our exemplary standards towards our Veterans and Military students
   

To apply for benefits, complete the application for VA Education Benefits at www.va.gov. Once approved, the Veterans Administration will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). You must provide a copy of your CoE to the Office of Veteran Affairs at BridgeValley.

AVAILABLE BENEFITS

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill."

• Post 9/11 GI Bill: The Post-9/11 GI Bill 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. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. Apply at www.gibill.va.gov.
• Yellow Ribbon Program Participant: Those receiving the maximum benefit from the Post 9/11 GI Bill can receive additional funding to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees. BridgeValley Community and Technical College has agreed to waive 50% of this difference, and the Veterans Administration will pay the remaining balance. This means that those students eligible for the maximum Post 9/11 GI Bill should not have to pay any tuition and fees out-of-pocket.
• Montgomery GI Bill/Chapter 30: (active duty or non-active duty) must have served in the United States Armed Forces for period of two to four years and have been HONORABLY discharged prior to returning to school.
• Montgomery GI Bill/Chapter 1606: (selected reserve) must have you completed Basic Training and AIT and are now assigned to a Reserve and/or West Virginia National Guard Unit. Please submit copy of DD214 and NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility). The NOBE is available from your assigned unit.
• VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31: (disabled Veterans) must make application with case worker and have disability rated. Veterans Certifying Official will receive Authorization and Certification of Entrance or Re-Entrance into Rehabilitation and Certification of Status.
• Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program/Chapter 35: (for dependents and spouses of 100 % disabled or deceased Veterans) must complete Form 22-5490 and submit to Department of Veterans Affairs. Once a claim is established a Certificate of Eligibility will be issued to the dependent/spouse. The student should then make an appointment to see the Veterans Certifying Official.

Work-Study Program
All students eligible for Chapter 30, 31, 35 and 1606 benefits are eligible to apply for VA Work Study.
Required forms can be found at www.va.gov.

Reserve or National Guard Tuition Assistance

• Apply for the WV National Guard assistance at www.apps.wv.gov/WVEEP/
• Apply for the Army Reserves at www.armyignited.com

Tutoring Services and Testing Center
The mission of the Student Success Center is to provide effective academic assistance, professional testing, student assessment services, tutorial services and academic advising that will ensure success for all students at BridgeValley Community & Technical College.

One Year Retroactive Award Rule
The Veterans Administration's one year retroactive rule is available to students/trainees/apprentices that are considering using the GI Bill.  The VA will only pay retroactive one year back from the date of the claim.  For VA education and OJT/Apprenticeship programs, that's generally the date of the certification of enrollment/training.  If the student/trainee/apprentice is pursuing several terms of education or months of training/employment before actually coming to you to get certified, that student/trainee/apprentice runs the risk of the VA not paying for any term beginning more than one year prior to your certification.