The Veteran Coordinator assists students in applying for VA benefits. Most programs at Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) are approved by the State Department of Education for the payment of VA benefits. All students receiving VA benefits must be enrolled in a curriculum that leads to a certificate or degree.
Students receiving VA benefits must report any changes in enrollment or curriculum to the Veteran Coordinator.
When certifying a veteran student’s enrollment status, only those courses applying to the curriculum will be certified to the Veterans Administration for payment of benefits.
MGCC is designated as an institutional member of Service Opportunity College (SOC). The SOC, composed of over 1,000 colleges and universities, functions in cooperation with the Department of Defense and the Military Services, including the National Guard and the Coast Guard, to help meet the voluntary higher education needs of service members.
Students wishing to contact the VA may do so by calling 1-888-GIBILL1 or going to the web site at www.gibill.va.gov.
For additional information, please contact:
Tim Cary
Rockbridge Regional Center Manager
(540) 261-1211
tcary@mgcc.edu
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
VA Delayed Payment
In compliance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, MGCC ensures the following provisions for veteran students who may be defined as a Covered Individual.
For the purpose of this procedure, MGCC adheres to the Veterans Administration (VA) definition of a Covered Individual as any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits. A veteran is entitled to educational assistance at the point where he/she provides proof of eligibility for benefits (Certificate of Eligibility, Statement of Benefits, or Form VAF 28-1905).
MGCC permits any Covered Individual to attend and/or participate in a course of education beginning on the date the individual provides proof of eligibility and ending on or before the following instances occur:
- The date on which payment from the VA is made to the institution;
- 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility.
MGCC will not impose any penalties on a Covered Individual, including but not limited to: late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, institutional facilities or resources. MGCC will not require that a Covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the VA under either Chapter 31 or Chapter 33.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.