Randolph Community College education programs are approved by the North Carolina State Approving Agency for the enrollment of persons eligible for education assistance benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Those entitled to VA benefits are eligible veterans, participants in the Montgomery G.I. Bill contributory program, active duty military in voluntary education programs, drilling National Guard, drilling Reservists, and spouses and children of disabled or deceased veterans. The Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs provides information and assistance to students applying for VA education benefits.

Return Support for Veterans

The Returning Support for Veterans Program (RSVP) is a one-stop service where veterans and their families can receive all the information they need. Whether the concern is about military benefits, veteran's education, health services, job or other issues, RSVP is for you.

You can access RSVP information and referral by calling the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' CARE-LINE at 1-800-662-7030, 24 hours a day, or by emailing care.line@ncmail.net or by visiting NCcareLink at www.NCcareLINK.gov.

You can also access the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs for benefit assistance by logging onto www.ncveterans.net and finding the county or district service office closest to you.

Ensuring Successful Certification

It is the veteran's responsibility to clear with the VA any problems concerning payments. First, the veteran should check with the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs in the Student Services Center to make certain that all necessary paperwork has been processed. If there are any problems after the paperwork is in order, the veteran should call the VA Winston-Salem office toll-free number (1-800-827-1000) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.

General Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for educational benefits, the student must be enrolled in an approved curriculum, taking only those courses required for graduation in the chosen curriculum. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. The VA will not pay for enrollment in the following:

course audits
repeated courses previously passed
credit by examination
courses not required in chosen curriculum
continuing education classes
dropped or withdrawn classes

Documentation
VA regulations governing institution-approved training of veterans and/or dependents of veterans require that certain documents be on file prior to certification of enrollment. To request the required application, please contact the VA Certifying Official at (336) 633-0369 or cdchi@randolph.edu. Certification will not be made until the VA Certifying Official receives all documentation. It takes 60-90 days from the date of certification for benefits to start. Required documentation is as follows:

Application for Admission with all required documentation;
Proper Application for VA benefits (form 22-1990, 22-5490, or 28-1990) and all required supporting documentation, including but not limited to the following items:
- Certified copy of Page 4 of the DD-214, or National Guard form DD-2384 “NOBE” signed by the Unit Commander;
- Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable);
- Copy of divorce decree (if applicable);
- Dependent children's birth certificates (if applicable);
- Official high school transcript or GED scores and all academic transcripts from each college previously attended;
- Dependent children's birth certificates (if applicable);
Official high school transcript or GED scores and all academic transcripts from each college previously attended;

If VA benefits have been received for prior training, the student must submit form 22-1995, Change of Program or Place of Training.

Several of these documents can be found on our "Important Forms" page.

Education Benefit Programs

The following are general descriptions of the veteran benefit programs available at Randolph Community College. Please see the VA Certifying Official regarding any specific questions regarding these programs.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. This program will pay eligible individuals:

tuition & fees directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition & fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning. see chart listing 2008 - 2009 maximum rates
a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. To determine the BAH for your school's ZIP code click here (link goes to a non-VA website)
an annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment
a one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals see comparison chart for more information.

This benefit is payable only for training at an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) (See comparison chart for more information). If you are enrolled exclusively in online training you will not receive the housing allowance. If you are on active duty you will not receive the housing allowance or books & supplies stipend. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for approved degree and certificate programs here at RCC. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30.

The Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for approved degree and certificate programs here at RCC. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA) provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or a result of a service-related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for approved degree and certificate programs here at RCC.

NC National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
The NC National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) program is available to any student who is an eligible member of the North Carolina National Guard and pays tuition/fees. Students who wish to use TAP must submit a completed and signed OTAGNC Form 621-100 from their Commanding Officer. This form must be completed and approved by the business office each semester prior to last day of registration.