VA Transfer Students

Students who had been receiving veteran’s benefits at another college must complete a Change of Program/Place of Training form (VA form 22-1995)  for Veterans, Servicepersons, & Members of the Selected Reserve or VA form 22-5495 for Survivors’ & Dependents’ Education Assistance) to receive benefits at Russell Sage College. These forms can be completed on line by using VONAPP. A copy of this form needs to be sent to the VA Certifying Official at Sage.

For all chapter benefits (with the exception of Chapter 31) the VA Certifying Official at Sage must notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) your enrollment each semester. It is your responsibility to contact our office at which time you are fully registered for a term. Your enrollment will be certified with the DVA shortly thereafter. IMPORTANT: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY THE VA CERTIFYING OFFICIAL WHEN WITHDRAWING OR ADDING A COURSE. You can stop at our office and bring a copy of your official withdrawal showing the date(s) of withdrawal. If you plan on attending summer courses, you will also need to contact the VA Certifying official or you can contact:

Please note that Veterans Education Benefits at this time are considered a resource in the Financial Aid package and adjustments to other aid will be made as required by law. To find out what education benefits you qualify for and an application for VA benefits, please visit gibill.va.gov.

Scholarships and Awards for Veterans: For further information about scholarships and awards for veterans and to apply please visit the Higher Education Services Corporation’s Military Corner. Questions may be addressed to 1-888-697-4372 or e-mail at [email protected].

Educational assistance program available to fully honorably discharged veterans who meet eligibility criteria explained in detail on the Department of Veterans Affairs website Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 provides benefits to individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. These individuals must have served at least 90 aggregate days or have been discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

Under this bill, veterans may receive benefits for training they pursue on or after August 1, 2009. Benefits are not available for training pursued prior to that date. Eligible training includes undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs pursued at a university or college that is authorized to grant an associate’s degree or higher.

This bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Benefits are generally payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. Payments are based on the amount of service you completed after September 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):

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 September 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, enrolled as a half-time student or less, or enrolled in only distance learning.

This program may be available if you are a member of a selected reserve. More eligibility information on Chapter 1606 is provided on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Eligibility information on Chapter 1607 is provided on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

The spouse, child, stepchild or adopted child of a veteran who is deceased (service-connected) or who is 100% disabled (service-connected) may qualify for Chapter 35 benefits. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Any veteran receiving at least 10% permanent, service-connected disability from the DVA can apply for this benefit. Approval is made on a case-by-case basis and is managed at the state level. To learn more about or apply for Chapter 31 benefits in NYS, call 1-800-827-1000.

IMPORTANT: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY THE VA CERTIFYING OFFICIAL WHEN WITHDRAWING OR ADDING A COURSE. You can stop at our office and bring a copy of your official withdrawal showing the date(s) of withdrawal. Also if you plan on attending SUMMER courses, you need to contact the VA Certifying official as well.

There are many resources available for students with Veteran Benefits. The links below are meant to assist you in locating these Resources.

Forms

Buffalo Regional Processing Center
VA Regional Processing Office
130 South Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202

General Information call Toll-Free: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)