Introduction
The University of New England is approved by the Veterans Administration for a variety of veteran educational benefit programs, including the Montgomery GI Bill.
Students who believe they qualify for veteran educational benefits should contact the Veterans Administration or call 888-442-4551 to speak to a VA Benefits Counselor.
Students who will be receiving VA educational benefits for the first time at UNE should also contact the VA Coordinator at the Financial Aid Office at (207)602-2342 or via e-mail.
Who We Serve
· Students who were on active duty and contributed to the Montgomery G.I. Bill
· Active Duty Personnel attending UNE and using the Montgomery G.I. Bill
· Members of the active Reserve and/or National Guard
· Disabled veterans retraining through VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Education program
· Eligible dependents of 100% disabled or deceased veterans
VA Education Benefit Programs
Students attending UNE who are eligible to receive VA Educational Benefits may qualify for one of the following Chapters of the GI Bill of Educational Assistance. For additional information visit the VA website.
CHAPTER 30
The Montgomery GI Bill provides educational assistance to veteran students who enlisted after July 1, 1985, and who contributed $1200.00 or were eligible for Chapter 34 and had no break in service from October 1984 to July 1, 1988.
CHAPTER 31
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program provides educational benefits to veteran students who receive or are entitled to receive compensation for a service-related disability. Eligibility is determined by the VA and usually begins with a service-related disability of 10% or greater. Veteran students under Chapter 31 may have the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies paid by the Veterans Administration and also receive a monthly living expense stipend.
CHAPTER 35
Dependents of a veteran whose death or disability was service-connected may be eligible for monthly benefits. (Dependents may include a husband/widower, wife/widow, child or stepchild).
CHAPTER 1606
People who enlist for six years or longer in the Selected Reserve or National Guard after July 1, 1986, may be eligible to receive these educational benefits. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Defense.
CHAPTER 1607
Established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This new program makes certain individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.
Applying for VA Education Benefits
You can apply for benefits online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.
Confirming Your University of New England Monthly Enrollment
After you have been approved for benefits and after you have enrolled for classes, you will need to verify the number of credit hours you are enrolled for as of the last day of every month. This can be done online at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave.
The UNE VA Coordinator will electronically certify your enrollment each semester with the VA. Your enrollment status will be regularly monitored and any changes will be reported to the VA.
Contacting the VA Regional Office in Buffalo, NY
For all educational benefit questions, call toll free at 1-888-442-4551; fax 716-551-4103.
Written correspondence should be sent t
VA Regional Office
PO Box 4616
Buffalo , NY 14240-4616
The toll-free number and web site provide:
· Information on VA education benefits 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
· Ability to ask questions or send an inquiry
· Obtain information on your own benefits account if you receive Montgomery GI Bill Benefits
· Speak with an Education Case Manager weekdays during normal business hours