Military Educational Benefits
In addition to completing the steps to enroll at Rogue Community College, students using VA Education Benefits must follow additional steps to activate and maintain those benefits.
Getting Started with VA Education Benefits
To use VA Education Benefits at RCC, you must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program approved by the VA. A Military Coordinator can help you choose an eligible program and guide you through the process.
To begin:
- Apply for your GI Bill® benefits online.
- Wait to receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- Contact an RCC Military Coordinator after receiving your COE.
- Complete your Enrollment Certification with your coordinator to activate your benefits.
RCC does not determine your eligibility. Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
GI Bill® Benefit Options
The following programs are common VA Education Benefits. Your eligibility depends on your service history and personal circumstances.
Montgomery GI Bill® — Chapter 30
For service members who:
- Served active duty on or after July 1, 1985.
- Contributed at least $1,200 to the VA education benefits program.
- Meet discharge and service requirements.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) — Chapter 31
For veterans with a service-connected disability that affects their ability to work. This program may help cover education and training costs.
Post-9/11 GI Bill® — Chapter 33
You may be eligible if at least one of the following applies:
- You served at least 90 days on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
- You received a Purple Heart after Sept. 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged.
- You served at least 30 continuous days and were discharged due to a service-connected disability.
- You are a dependent using transferred benefits.
Montgomery GI Bill® — Chapter 1606
For members of the Selected Reserve or National Guard who are actively serving.
Benefits for Spouses and Dependents — Chapter 35
You may be eligible if you are the spouse or dependent of a service member or veteran who:
- Died in the line of duty.
- Is missing in action or captured.
- Is detained by a foreign government.
- Has a permanent and total service-connected disability.
- Died as a result of a service-connected disability.
Understanding Payment Rates
VA payment rates depend on your enrollment level:
- 12 or more credits: Full-time.
- 9 to 11 credits: Three-quarter time.
- 6 to 8 credits: Half-time.
- 1 to 5 credits: Tuition and fees only.
Summer term is considered full-time at 8 credits for VA purposes. Please check with your RCC Military Coordinator to verify your monthly rate.
Payment rates are updated annually, usually in October. Military students may be eligible for additional tuition assistance, or "kickers." For specific questions, contact the VA at 888-442-4551.
Request Your DD-214
Request a copy of your DD-214 through the Veterans Service Records Request System.
For VA support
Call 888-442-4551 (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time).
Use Ask VA for 24/7 assistance.
Students using VA Education Benefits must follow these guidelines:
- Military students are responsible for obtaining official academic transcripts from all institutions previously attended.
- RCC will only certify for two terms without having an evaluation of the above transcripts.
- You must notify your Military Coordinator if you change your degree objective (college and/or degree).
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An Evaluation of Prior Credits is required whenever you change your degree.
- Only classes that apply directly toward your degree may be certified to the VA.
- If you drop a class or take a class that does not apply to your degree, you will be responsible for a pay back to the Veterans Administration (VA) as an overpayment.
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Please report to your Military Coordinator any changes in your enrollment status.
- You must earn a 2.00 term grade point average (GPA) or you will be put on academic probation. Academic probation for three consecutive terms may be cause for suspension. (Satisfactory Academic Standing & Progress)
- Termination of VA benefits will result if:
- You are academically suspended by the College; or
- You complete three consecutive terms with a term GPA below 2.00.
- Withdrawing ("W") or completing a course with a "NP" or "Z" grade will be reported to VA by your Military Coordinator. This may cause an "overpayment" and require a payment back to VA
- The VA will not pay for self-paced courses, audits, repeats of successfully complete courses, incompletes, or credit by exam or "W" courses.
- All courses must run the full length of the term.
- Incomplete grades must be completed within one academic year or an overpayment may occur.
- Summer term is a non-standard term and 8 credits are considered as full-time with the VA. If you also receive financial aid from RCC, full-time status is 12 credits.
Principles of Excellence
The Principles of Excellence outline guidelines that schools follow to support military-connected students using VA Education Benefits. These principles promote transparency, clear communication and strong student support so you can make informed decisions about your education.
They ensure you receive key information about program costs, financial aid, academic planning and available support services while protecting you from misleading or aggressive recruitment practices.