Starting Veterans Benefits

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
Yes	No	No

This benefit is paid directly to the student. It should arrive approximately at the beginning of the month following the month the veteran earned it. In other words, if a veteran starts school in September, their first benefit is expected to arrive around the beginning of October.

With this benefit, the veteran is responsible for paying the balance due on their student account.

Documentation needed for entrance form:

• Certificate of Eligibility
• DD-214
• Official Military Transcripts

Note: the VA is phasing out this benefit type in favor of Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits.

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
Yes	Yes	Yes

Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) provides services to eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities to help them prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment or achieve independence in daily living.

Note: VR&E is an employment program, not just a VA educational benefit. As an employment program, VR&E uses education benefits as a way to assist the veteran become job-ready.

Eligibility:

• Veteran is or will be discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
• Veteran incurred or aggravated a service-connected disability that entitles them to VA disability compensation of 20% or greater
• Veteran needs vocational rehabilitation due to their service-connected disability creating an employment handicap

Evaluation by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) is required. If a counselor determines that an employment barrier exists as a result of a service-connected disability, the veteran will be entitled to services. The veteran will work with the counselor to develop a plan to address rehabilitation and employment needs.

After the veteran is awarded VR&E benefits:

• Counselor sends authorization to LBCC’s Veterans Office
• LBCC’s Veterans Office will process the authorization and notify the Business Office
• The veteran will then be able to charge books and supplies
• Counselors can authorize the purchase of laptop computers through LBCC as part of supplies covered by this benefit. The counselor must provide written authorization to us if this charge is approved.

Documentation needed for entrance form:

• Authorization provided by VRC no documentation needed from student veteran

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
Yes	Yes	Yes

With this benefit, the veteran receives a monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the cost of living where LBCC is located (Linn County). You can see current MHA amounts on the GI Bill® Comparison Tool by searching for "Linn-Benton Community College."

Note: In order to receive the full MHA, you must be enrolled full-time with at least one course in-person.

Tuition, fees, course fees, and additional tuition charges are covered by this benefit. After the add/drop deadline each term, we will notify the VA of the amount for each eligible veteran.

Book and access charges linked to courses are not considered part of tuition and fees. The veteran is responsible for these charges as they are covered by the book allowance.

An annual stipend for books and supplies is paid directly to the veteran. This stipend of $1,000 per year is divided proportionately based on enrollment.

Documentation needed for entrance form:

• Certificate of Eligibility
• DD-214
• Official Military Transcripts 

Be aware of your award.

While many veterans are awarded their Chapter 33 benefits at the 100% coverage rate, any veteran awarded below that coverage rate is responsible for the balance due after the VA pays.

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
Yes	No	No

The Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program provides education and training benefits to eligible members of the selected reserve, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps as well as Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard. Eligibility for this program is determined by the selected reserve components, and the VA makes the payments.

Documentation needed for entrance form:

• Certificate of Eligibility
• DD-214 (if available)
• Official Military Transcripts (if available)

Note: as of May 5, 2021, in-service students enrolled in classes half-time or greater can receive both military TA and Chapter 1606 benefits.

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
No	Yes-tuition only	No

ArmyIgnitED is the Army’s tuition assistance (TA) platform. Through this platform, students can submit their education plan (developed with an advisor at LBCC) and request funding for specific courses.

First time Federal Tuition Assistance users must complete ArmyIgnitED 101 training provided by their Army Education Center AND must use the Career Path Decide decision support tool prior to requesting TA. 

In general, eligible in-service members can receive TA at a rate of $166.67 per quarter credit hour with an annual ceiling of $4,500. This amount does not cover mandatory fees or course fees but does cover additional tuition fees. In-service students are responsible for any balance not covered by TA funds.

Note: as of May 5, 2021, In-service students enrolled in classes half-time or greater can receive both military TA and Chapter 1606 benefits.

Tuition assistance requests (TARs) can be submitted through the ArmyIgnitED system starting 60 days before the start of term date. All TARs must be submitted to ArmyIgnitEDno later than eight days before the start of term date.

Documentation needed for entrance form:

• Approved TAR

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
No	Yes	No

Students using Federal Tuition Assistance through the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard must receive approval from their unit for tuition assistance (TA) from their Education Services Officer (ESO) or representative.

Each military branch has its own TA application form and procedures. Visit your local installation education center or go online to a virtual education center for current information and procedures.

The Department of Defense (DoD) also offers a dynamic information and comparison tool: TA DECIDE. This tool is designed to aid participants in DoD’s TA programs about making informed choices regarding schools and educational programs.

Documentation needed for entrance form:

• Approved TAR

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
No	Yes	No

For a full list of eligibility requirements, to apply, or for more information, please visit the HECC Office of Student Access and Completion.

This grant can be used for up to 90 credits at an Oregon community college. Award amounts vary depending on the type of institution the student attends and their eligibility for other military tuition assistance.

Eligible service members must:

• Complete any military basic training
• Have a current passing Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
• Be in good standing with their unit
• Not have achieved an associate’s degree or higher
• Not be in default of any federal loans

Note: this benefit does not require additional documentation filed at LBCC.

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
Yes	No	No

The Survivors’ and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. You can apply to receive these benefits from the VA.

This benefit is paid directly to the student. It should arrive approximately the beginning of the month following the month the student earned it. In other words, if a student starts school in September, their first benefit is expected to arrive at the beginning of October.

Documentation needed for entrance form:

• Certificate of Eligibility

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
Yes	Yes	Yes

The Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill® is the only VA education benefit that is transferable. This option allows service members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependents. The request to transfer unused GI Bill® benefits to eligible dependents must be completed while serving as an active member of the Armed Forces. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not benefits can be transferred. Once the DoD approves, the new beneficiaries apply to receive their benefits with the VA.

With this benefit, the dependent who is awarded the transfer of entitlement receives a monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the cost of living where LBCC is located (Linn County). You can see current MHA amounts on the GI Bill® Comparison Tool by searching for "Linn-Benton Community College."

Note: In order to receive the full MHA, you must be enrolled full-time with at least one course in-person.

Tuition, fees, course fees, and additional tuition charges are covered by this benefit. After the add/drop deadline each term, we will notify the VA of the amount for each eligible student.

Book and access charges linked to courses are not considered part of tuition and fees. The student is responsible for these charges as they are covered by the book allowance.

An annual stipend for books and supplies is paid directly to the student. This stipend of $1,000 per year is divided proportionately based on enrollment.

Documentation needed for entrance form:

• Certificate of Eligibility

Funds Paid to Student	Tuition/Fees Paid to School	Book Allowance
No	Yes	No

LBCC provides a last-dollar tuition waiver to qualifying dependents of a service member who either died in active duty, became 100% disabled in connection with military service, or died as a result of a disability sustained in active duty.

Qualifying Criteria:

• An Oregon resident at the time of application
• Dependent 23 years old or younger at the time of initial application or spouse of veteran rated at 100% disability through the VA
• VA certified death certificate of service member or VA letter stating veteran’s disability rating or veteran’s DD 214 that states receipt of Purple Heart in 2001 or after
• Fully admitted student and enrolled in a certificate or associate degree program
• Student must maintain satisfactory academic progress standards
• Not receiving the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

Dependents must be in good academic and financial aid standing. Waiver is available to students admitted to a certificate or degree program only; maximum 67 credits for a one-year certificate or 135 credits for a two-year associate degree. An eligible child must be 23 years of age or under at the time of the waiver application. This benefit may not be applied to previously attended terms.

The waiver only covers tuition and mandatory fees. Any course fees not covered is the responsibility of the student. As a last-dollar paid waiver, the State of Oregon Tuition Waiver does not apply if the balance on the account is covered by other federal or state grants.

Eligibility for Chapter 35: DEA benefits will not be used as a verification or disqualification for the tuition waiver.

The enrollment verification form must be completed each term the student wishes to apply the tuition waiver. Dual enrolled students are only eligible to receive the waiver for classes attended at LBCC as long as LBCC is their declared home school.

The application and all supporting documents must be received by the add/drop deadline of the applying term.

Apply for the State of Oregon Tuition Waiver