Quality Education for Veterans
Columbia College:
- Has over 35 years of experience awarding credit for military education and training.
- Provides courses of study which have been approved for the GI Bill
- Awards transfer credit by evaluating your Military Qualification Record.
- Is a charter member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) consortium and accepts the direct transfer of specific college credits earned from other institutions within SOC.
- Is a member of Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and provides courses that meet CCAF general education requirements on an accelerated, flexible schedule.
- Participates in Troops to Teachers, a DANTES program that assists military personnel in becoming certified and employed as elementary school teachers.
- Accepts veterans' GI Bill benefits.
Columbia College accepts GI Bill Benefits.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
With the implementation of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch 33), veterans may be eligible for one or more educational benefits. Because every student’s situation is different, ask yourself these questions to help you determine which educational benefit is the right choice for you. This information is based on existing rules and regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and should not be construed as being absolute.
- If I am eligible for more than one benefit, which benefits pay more?
The election of Ch 33 benefits over other benefits is IRREVOCABLE. If you are unsure which benefit is right for you, please mark “UNSURE” when filling out the VONAPP, or leave blank when filling out Part II of the paper form VA22-1990. You will receive an assessment from the DVA detailing each benefit that you are eligible for. - What tier of benefits am I eligible for under the new Ch 33 GI bill?
Benefit levels range from 40-100% based on length of active duty service. For more details, please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site. - What type of training do I want to pursue?
Individuals should consider their education goals before applying and electing benefits under Ch 33. Some vocational, certificate, or other programs may not be covered. (Please note: Columbia College does not offer vocational or industry certificate programs). - Will I be attending school full time or part time? Online or traditional in-seat?
Individuals enrolled as half time or less are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance. Individuals pursuing their entire degree program online are also not eligible for the monthly housing allowance. Students who enroll in one in-seat course per session, and are otherwise eligible, may receive the monthly housing allowance. Active Duty individuals are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance. - How long do I expect to use educational benefits?
Ch 33 can be used for up to 15 years from the last release from active duty, compared to 10 years with other benefits. There is no cap to the dollar amount of benefits under Ch 33, however, you can only receive a total of 48 months entitlement when combining more than one benefit.
Questions? To learn more, read the factors to consider
document on the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.
Yellow Ribbon Program at Columbia College
| Maximum Annual Contribution by Columbia College: 2009-2010 Academic Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Location | Division | Amount |
| Main Campus (Day Campus and Evening Campus), Online Campus and Nationwide Campuses | Graduate | $990 |
| Undergraduate | $4,252 | |
Fund for Veterans’ Education
The Fund for Veterans' Education was established to provide scholarships to veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan or Iraq since September 11, 2001 and who are now enrolled in college or a vocational-technical school. For more information on this scholarship opportunity, visit veteransfund.org.