Veterans Affairs Office

General Information 

Certification of benefits is a service provided by the Veterans Representative in the Financial Aid Office. The office serves as a liaison between Shawnee State University students and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. We assist student veterans with the processing of VA forms for educational benefits, advise student veterans concerning certain procedural requirements, and certify enrollment of Shawnee State University student veterans to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

New applicants should determine which chapter you will receive educational benefits using the chapter information provided below. Bring a copy of your DD-214 (discharge papers) to the Veterans Representative in the Financial Aid Office.

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New Benefits for Veterans

Montgomery GI Bill - Chapter 33
On June 30, 2008, President Bush signed into law H.R. 2642, Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, which contained a provision establishing a new GI Bill, entitled “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, Chapter 33.”  The Post-9/11 Bill is a new education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.  These benefits will be implemented on August 1, 2009.  No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.  For detailed information, go to www.gibill.va.gov.

Ohio GI Promise:  In-State tuition for all eligible veterans from across the country
By participating in a community service or internship program and upon moving to Ohio, GI Bill eligible veterans and their families will be treated as in-state residents for tuition and state educational subsidies purposes. To be eligible under division (E)(9) of Administrative Rule 3333-1-10, a veteran must be certified as eligible to receive GI Bill benefits and enroll in a state-supported institution.

For detailed information, visit the GI Promise website.

Information for emergency advance payments on your GI Bill.
The VA has set up a Web site to help vets apply for the emergency advance payments on their GI Bill.  The Web site can be found at this link:  http://www.gibill.va.gov/advpay.htm

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VA Chapter Information

Montgomery GI Bill - Chapter 30
Entered Active Duty after June 30, 1985. Completed at least 2 years continuous active service; contributed $1200 to the program; received a high school diploma or GED; and received an honorable discharge.

Reserve GI Bill - Chapter 1606
Any person who enlists, re-enlists, or extends an enlistment in the Selective Reserve for not less than 6 years, in addition to any other period of obligation after June 30, 1985 and completed high school or GED, IADT, 180 days of service in the selective reserve and is satisfactorily participating in required training in the selective reserve. 

Activated Reservists After September 11, 2001 - Chapter 1607
Certain reservists who were activated after September 11, 2001 may either be eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

Dependent Educational Assistance - Chapter 35
This portion of 38 U.S.C authorizes educational benefits to dependents and survivors of certain veterans who have serious disabilities as the result of their service (100% disabled), or who have died of a service-connected cause, were a prisoner of war, or missing in action.

Vocational Rehabilitation - Chapter 31
Veterans who have been declared disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs due to service related injury. 

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VA Forms

These forms may be obtained at the Department of Veterans Affairs education forms website.

22-1990 Application for Education Benefits
Students under all chapters, except Chapter 35, who are enrolling for VA benefits for the first time. Chapters 30 and 33 must attach a copy of DD-214. Chapter 1606 must attach a copy of Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE - DD-2284) and Kicker papers if eligible. 

22-5490 Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance
Students under Chapter 35 who are applying for VA benefits for the first time.

22-1995 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training
Students under all chapters, except Chapter 35, who are transferring VA benefits to Shawnee State University as well as for current Shawnee State University student veterans who want to change their major.

22-5495 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training
Students under Chapter 35 who are transferring VA benefits to Shawnee State University as well as for current Shawnee State University student veterans who want to change their major.

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Education Benefit Payment Rates

The amount of your monthly payment will be determined by the amount of credits you are enrolled in, applicable to your degree program. Rates are posted and updated by the VA. Rates can be found on their web page at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm.

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Student Veterans Responsibilities

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Representative at Shawnee State University closely monitor each student veteran's enrollment status and academic program. The student's educational benefit is based upon the number of credit hours applicable to his/her academic degree program.

Student veterans at Shawnee State University have the following responsibilities:

Notify the Veterans Representative in the Financial Aid Office within 30 days of the following changes in your enrollment status.

• Terminate attendance
• Change credit hours
• Withdraw or stop attending a course
• Attend a course but receive an Incomplete (I) grade
• Change educational program
• Change address or phone number

Reminders:

• You must maintain satisfactory progress to retain benefit.
• You are prohibited from receiving educational benefits for auditing a course.
• You will not receive benefits for repeated courses, unless they are graduation requirements.
• You must be formally admitted as a degree-seeking student.
• You must submit a degree audit for your intended major. The degree audit must include all courses that you are required to complete for your major. You will only be certified for courses that are required for completion of your selected degree (per degree audit).
• Do not register in courses for which you have previously received a passing grade/credit (even if taken at another institution).

As a recipient of educational benefits:

• you are eligible for payment of remedial courses if placement test scores justify the need
• any overpayments incurred are your responsibility and not the responsibility of the Financial Aid Office at Shawnee State University

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Other Programs

Work Study Program
This program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarter time or more. An individual working under this program may work at the school veterans office. Work-study students are paid minimum wage. If you have questions on this program contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at their toll-free number 1-888-442-4551.

Ohio Army National Guard Monthly Stipend for Medical Students
The Ohio Army National Guard offers a monthly stipend to medical students. It is approximately $1,200 per month plus the monthly pay of about $300.00 for attending two days per month (weekends - here in Ohio) and two weeks per summer. The student is non-deployable until he/she finish his/her residency. The National Guard also offers the same stipend for nurses who have their RN (two year) and want to get their BSN. 

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Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office

Eligiblility and payment questions should be directed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office at:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office
PO Box 4616
Buffalo NY 14240-4616
1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)
www.gibill.va.gov

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Shawnee State University Veterans Representative

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Veterans Representative in the Financial Aid Office during normal office hours:

Laurie Hatton, Veterans Representative
Financial Aid Office
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: 740-351-4441
Fax: 740-351-3435
E-mail: lhatton@shawnee.edu

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