Active Duty Educational Assistance Program
The Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30) assists students who entered active duty for the first time after July 1, 1985, and who agreed to have their pay reduced by $100 for 12 months. Veterans must have received an honorable discharge and active-duty personnel must have served at least two years to be eligible to use their benefits. Individuals are allowed 36 months of full-time entitlement. Participants who have eligibility through the Vietnam Era GI Bill® have 36 months of entitlement or the amount of entitlement they have remaining from Chapter 34, whichever is less. Benefits must be used within 10 years from the date the individual was discharged last from active duty.

Learn more about the GI Bill®.

Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® Tuition Assistance Top Up

Tuition Assistance Top-up is available to students on active duty, approved to use federal tuition assistance and eligible for Chapter 30, the Montgomery GI Bill®. On Oct. 30, 2000, an amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill® was signed into law which permits the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay a Tuition Assistance Top-up benefit. When the military cannot or does not cover 100 percent  of the tuition and expenses, a service member, eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, can elect to receive his or her benefits for all or part of the remaining expenses. The use of Tuition Assistance Top-up reduces future entitlement to the Montgomery GI Bill and service members should carefully consider their situation.

Learn more about Tuition Assistance Top Up.

Vocational rehabilitation provides benefits to service members who have served on or after Sept. 16, 1940, and have a service-connected disability which is at least 20 percent disabling as defined by VA. Additionally, it must be determined that vocational rehabilitation is needed to overcome an employment handicap. Eligible veterans may be allowed up to 48 months of full-time benefits. Veterans generally have 12 years from the date they are notified of their entitlement to the program to use the benefits. Students who meet the above mentioned criteria must contact the Baltimore Regional Office at 410-230-4550 to schedule an interview for evaluation.

Learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation.

Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides up to 36 months of full-time education benefits. Benefits generally are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. Payments are based on the amount of service you completed after Sept. 10, 2001. You will receive a larger benefit if you served more active duty or mobilization time.

If you are eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, you may receive a(n):

• Payment for tuition and fees sent directly to the college
• Monthly housing allowance*
• Annual book stipend of $1,000*
• One-time rural benefit payment of $500

Maximum benefits are earned if you served an aggregate of 36 months or more on active duty service or after 30 days of continuous service if you were discharged for a service connected disability after Sept. 10, 2001. If you served between 90 days and 36 months of aggregate active duty service, you will be eligible for a percentage of the maximum benefits.

Note: The housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable if you are on active duty or enrolled as a half-time student or less.

Learn more about the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

Choosing Your GI Bill® Benefits

If you meet the eligibility requirements for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, as well as other benefit types, such as the Montgomery GI Bill®, you will be required to choose which benefit you wish to receive. For some individuals, your choice may be irrevocable. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® may provide a better benefits package in terms of eligibility criteria, period of eligibility and financial value in comparison to existing educational benefit programs that remain in effect. However, the best program for you, if you are eligible for multiple educational benefit programs, will depend on your individual circumstance. Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs eligibility requirements that apply for specific benefits and compare these benefits to those offered under other GI Bills.

Survivors and Dependents Benefits provide educational benefits to spouses and children of veterans who either died while in service, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of their military service.  Survivors and dependents are allowed 45 months of full-time benefits. Spouses have 10 years from the date of the veteran's effective date of permanent and total disability rating or the veteran's death. Dependents' benefits end on their 26th birthday or eight years from the veteran's effective date of permanent or total disability rating or the veteran's death, but not after the dependent's 31st birthday. Visit Veterans Benefits Administration for additional survivor benefit information. For information regarding eligibility, contact the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office at 800-827-1000.

Learn more about dependent/survivor benefits.

Selective Reserve Educational Assistance

Chapter 1606 provides up to 36 months of benefits to members of the selective reserves. This includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Reserves, Army National Guard and the Air Guard. A reservist is allowed 36 months of full-time benefits.

Learn more about Montgomery GI Selected Reserve.

The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607) is available to students who are members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve, and National Guard and were called to active service in response to a war or national emergency. The Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security determines eligibility but generally a member of a reserve component who serves on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, for at least 90 days is eligible.

Learn more about the Reserve Educational Assistance Program.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. TA funds are a source of financial aid for active duty military. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. Check with your respective Service/Branch Education Office, education specialist or military counselor for eligibility and enrollment requirements to ensure you make an informed decision. Withdrawing from a course may affect your tuition assistance and have financial ramifications. Therefore, always consult with your respective Service/Branch Education Office prior to making changes to your enrollment.

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• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Students who are members of the Maryland National Guard are eligible for a waiver of 50% of their tuition for credit courses at Anne Arundel Community College. To qualify for this waiver, members of the Maryland National Guard must submit their certification form signed by their unit commander to the cashier's office each term. The remaining tuition and fees must be paid on or before the due date. Direct questions to the cashier's office at cashiersoffice@c178.net. 

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses for the pursuit or maintenance (including continuing education courses) of a license, certification or associate degree necessary to gain employment in an occupation or career field. 

This benefit is processed through the Cashier’s office. Please contact cashiers@c178.net for further information. 

Log into MyCAA. 

1. Review AACC's Military and Veterans website.
2. Complete the VA Application for Education Benefits to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
3. Apply for admission to the college.
4. Take the AACC placement test, if required.
5. Submit all official transcripts to Records and Registration.
6. Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
7. Declare an approved certificate or degree program with the records office.
8. Register for classes.
9. Complete and submit the VA Credit Enrollment Verification Form and a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the financial aid office.
10. Check your MYAACC email account for updates, processing status and to resolve any issues before your certification is submitted to the VA. The VA will notify you when the certification has been submitted as well as if any changes to enrollment, terminations or withdrawals have been reported.

Veterans can check their enrollment history on the Veterans Affairs website.

1. Apply for admission to the college.
2. Take an AACC Placement Test, if required.
3. Submit all official transcripts to Records and Registration.
4. Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
5. Declare an approved certificate or degree program with Records and Registration.
6. Register for courses.
7. Complete and submit the VA Credit Enrollment Verification Form, a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995 or VA Form 22-5495), and a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility issued from the VA, to the financial aid office.
8. Check your MYAACC email account for updates, processing status and to resolve any issues before your certification is submitted to the VA. The VA will notify you when the certification has been submitted as well as if any changes to enrollment, terminations or withdrawals have been reported.

1. Submit all official transcripts to the records office.
2. Confirm that your AACC program matches your VA program.
3. Register for courses.
4. Complete and submit the VA Credit Enrollment Verification Form and all other required forms to the financial aid office.
5. Check your MYAACC email account for updates, processing status and to resolve any issues before your certification is submitted to the VA. The VA will notify you when the certification has been submitted as well as if any changes to enrollment, terminations or withdrawals have been reported.

Veterans can check their enrollment history on the Veterans Affairs website. 

A student may take courses at more than one school that apply to his or her degree. The school that will grant the degree is the student’s “home” school. All other schools are “visiting” schools. The financial aid office is committed to assisting you with the enrollment verification process. Follow the steps below whether AACC is your “home school” or if you are a visiting student:

AACC as the Home School

1. Choose the course(s) you are interested in taking at the “visiting” college or university.
2. Complete and submit a copy of the Permission to Study Form to Records and Registration at AACC.
3. Submit an approved copy of the Permission to Study Form to the AACC financial aid office along with the VA Credit Enrollment Verification Form if you are attending courses at AACC during the same term.
4. AACC will forward a home school letter to your visiting school’s VA certifying official to confirm the course is required for your degree.
5. Check your MYAACC email account for updates, processing status and to resolve any issues before your certification is submitted to the VA. The VA will notify you when the certification has been submitted as well as if any changes to enrollment, terminations or withdrawals have been reported.
6. Notify the financial aid office of any changes to your schedule or program of study.
7. Submit an official transcript from the visiting school to the financial aid office at the end of the term.

AACC as the Visiting School

1. Apply for admission to the college.
2. Contact your home school to discuss the process of getting the desired course(s) approved.
3. Register for approved courses.
4. Complete and submit the VA Credit Enrollment Verification Form along with a Parent School Letter from the VA certifying official at your home school stating that the course will be accepted as transfer credit to complete your program of study.
5. Check your MYAACC email account for updates, processing status and to resolve any issues before your certification is submitted to the VA. The VA will notify you when the certification has been submitted as well as if any changes to enrollment, terminations or withdrawals have been reported.
6. Notify the financial aid office of any changes to your schedule.
7. Request an official transcript from AACC to submit to your home school.

A veteran may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits if he or she incurred a service-connected disability on or after Sept. 16, 1940, which entitles him/her to VA disability compensation. Chapter 31 benefits may be provided for up to 48 months. An eligible veteran has 12 years from the date of notification of entitlement to use these benefits. For detailed information, disabled veterans are encouraged to contact the VA Office at 888-827-1000.

Instructions for New Students Using Chapter 31

1. Complete the VA Application for Education Benefits.
2. Apply for admission to the college.
3. Meet with your VR&E case manager to obtain approval. The case manager will submit the VA form 1905 authorization of billing through the Tungsten Portal.
4. Take the AACC Placement Test, if required.
5. Submit all official transcripts to Records and Registration.
6. Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
7. Declare an approved certificate or degree program with the records office.
8. Register for courses.
9. Submit an VA Credit Enrollment Verification Form every term you plan to use benefits.
10. Check your MYAACC email account for updates, processing status and to resolve any issues before your certification is submitted to the VA. The VA will notify you when the certification has been submitted as well as if any changes to enrollment, terminations or withdrawals have been reported.
11. Notify the financial aid office of all schedule changes.

Instructions for Returning Students

1. Contact the financial aid office to confirm that your VA Form 1905 has not expired. Contact your vocational rehabilitation counselor if your form has expired.
2. Register for courses required for your degree.
3. Submit an VA Credit Enrollment Verification Form every term you plan to use benefits.
4. Book and supply vouchers will be issued electronically to allow students to purchase textbooks and required supplies.
5. Check your MYAACC email account for updates, processing status and to resolve any issues before your certification is submitted to the VA. The VA will notify you when the certification has been submitted as well as if any changes to enrollment, terminations or withdrawals have been reported.
6. Notify the financial aid office of all schedule changes.

As a student using your VA Educational Benefits at AACC, you must: 

• You must submit a copy of your DD 214 and all official transcripts from previous colleges to Records and Registration by the end of your first term.
• You are required to pursue a degree/certificate program available at AACC approved for VA educational benefits.
• You are required to run a degree audit each term to ensure you are enrolling in courses required for your degree. The VA will not pay for courses you don’t need to complete your program of study.
• You must submit the VA Enrollment Verification Form and ALL other required forms at the time of registration for each term you are requesting the use of your benefits.
• You must attend all courses you have enrolled in. Failure due to lack of attendance must be reported to the VA and will have an impact on future benefits.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for repeating a course for which transfer or a passing grade has been granted.
• You are required to make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of a degree or certificate program and comply with the academic standards of AACC.
• You are required to report program/objective changes with the VA as well as AACC’s records office.
• You are required to report schedule changes including drops, withdrawals and changes to audits to the office immediately.
• You are required to verify your enrollment with VA on the last calendar day of the month if you are receiving benefits, unless you are Chapter 31 or Chapter 35.
• You are required to check your MyAACC email regularly to monitor the processing of your benefits and to respond to any processing requests by our office. Also, the VA will email you directly as your benefits are processed by AACC.
• You are responsible for all charges, including AACC Bookstore purchases, on your student account.

To correctly determine the rate of your VA educational benefit, use the start date of your class on this VA rate table:

Current VA Payment Rates

• Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) beneficiary should opt in to text verification. Verification must be done at the end of every month.
• Also, you can verify enrollment by calling the Educational Call Center (ECC), or you may contact them to opt-in to text message verification. To contact the ECC, call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-422-4511 domestically or 001-918-781-5678 overseas) Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. TTY Federal Relay: 711.
• Veterans receiving Chapter 30, 1606 and MGIB benefits should use WAVE to submit monthly verifications.   

If you decrease your training time (i.e. drop classes, leave school, etc.) and we have already processed a payment for tuition and fees, an overpayment will occur. 

Learn more about what causes debt with VA education programs and the steps VA takes to collect the debt under any GI Bill education programs on the VA website.

• VA Form 22-1990 Application
• VA Form 22-1995 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training
• VA Form 22-5490 Application for a Dependent
• VA Form 22-5495 Change of Program for a Dependent
• VA Enrollment Verification Form

If you need to submit documents to our office, you may do so through U.S. mail, fax, email or by visiting the financial aid office.

Make sure all documents are signed and labeled with your AACC student ID number and that they are for the financial aid office.

When emailing, you must use your MyAACC email account. Documents from private email accounts will not be accepted by the financial aid office. Do not email personal identification information such as your Social Security Number or date of birth. To protect your privacy, you should cross off this information with a black marker before emailing your forms or tax information.

You can download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App to your computer or phone to complete and sign the required forms. Save them as PDFs on your device and send as attachments to our office using your MyAACC email. To create PDFs of documents, you can scan the document using your smart device.

Android Scanning Method

Google Drive has an option for scanning documents via your smartphone's camera and then saving them as PDF files within your cloud storage. You can find it by opening the Google Drive app, tapping the blue "+" icon in the bottom-right corner and then selecting "Scan."

Apple Scanning Method

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you actually have a scanner. You can use the Notes app. Open a new note, press the camera button and the option to scan the document will pop up. Once the document is scanned, you can email it.

The college offers an AACC bookstore line of credit up to $500 per term to those using their VA benefits at AACC. The amount spent will be added to your bill for the term. It is your responsibility to pay the account in full by the due date of the last payment plan installment.

• American Legion
• Fisher House Foundation
• Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
• National Military Family Association
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflict Scholarship Program

• Army
• Navy and Marine
• Air Force
• Coast Guard