Caldwell College Veterans Program

Welcome! Thank you for choosing Caldwell College (Caldwell) to continue your education. It is our pleasure to serve you after the service you have provided for our country. We want to ensure that you get the most from your VA benefits. To help you understand the process and your responsibilities, we've prepared the following information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information that will affect your benefits.

Veterans Educational Benefits
1. The Veterans administrator at Caldwell College is the liaison with the Regional Processing Office in Buffalo, New York, to assist veterans, dependents of veterans with the application and certification process. This office will assist the eligible student to apply for their respective educational benefits for the Montgomery GI Bill under Chapter 30, 31, 32, 35, 1606 or VEAP. Questions regarding the eligibility of a veteran or dependent can be answered by calling 1 888-GIBILL1.
  1. Chapter 30 - New GI Bill: Members of the armed forces who entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985, will receive monthly payments if they contributed to the program following enlistment and subsequently enroll in courses at an accredited educational facility.
  2. Chapter 31 - Disabled Veterans: Members having a service-connected disability that entitles them to veteran compensation can receive tuition and fees paid to the college under this program.
  3. Chapter 32 - Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP): This program provides financial assistance for members of the armed forces who initially entered service after December 31, 1976.
  4. Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill: The VA is now accepting applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Chapter33, on line. Please see this link for details: www.gibill.va.gov
  5. Chapter 35 - Survivor and Dependents: Sons, daughters and/or spouses of veterans are eligible for financial assistance if the veteran died in service as a result of a service-connected disability or became permanently and totally disabled while in the service.
  6. Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve Program: Students who enlist in the Reserve component of the armed forces and contribute to the MGIB will receive monthly payments while attending courses at a State Approved accredited educational facility.
  7. Chapter 1607 - Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP): Established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, it is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This new program makes certain individuals currently serving in the Selected Reserves, or who were activated after September 11, 2001, eligible for education benefits and increased benefits.
  8. New Jersey National Guard - Tuition Waiver Program: Students who enlist in the NJ National Guard are entitled to a tuition-only waiver while attending courses, full or part time. The waiver is applied after submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and all Federal and State grants are deducted from the tuition (if any). Eligible Guardsmen/women must submit a NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility) from their Commanding Officer upon initial registration at an accredited New Jersey educational facility and a Commander's Certification each semester he/she intends to enroll.
Before Apply for VA Educational Benefits
1. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires each applicant for VA educational benefits to be formally accepted to an approved curriculum/program of study before initial certification. (Under certain circumstances, up to 24 credits within one year may be certified as a non-matriculated student.)
2. To apply for admission (matriculation), the following must be received by the Caldwell College Admissions Office:
  1. Completed admission application
  2. Official high school transcript (this document is not required if student will be transferring more than 60 credits from another college upon admission)
  3. Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges
  4. Transcripts of Military training and classes
  5. SAT or ACT scores for first-time full-time students
  6. Non-refundable application fee.
3. The application and instructions are available from the Admissions Office or on our web site.
  1. Caldwell College Online Application
4. Applicants are encouraged to visit the campus during Open House Programs and weekday tours.
  1. Open House/Weekday Tours
Benefit Programs and Requirements
1. There are VA forms necessary for application for educational benefits that can be easily completed and submitted on the VA Website.
2. Application benefits may vary from program to program. Your application package must be completed before certification. Requirements for each program’s initial application are:
  1. Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill
    For veterans who served on active duty after June 30, 1985 (Category 1)
    1. Those who had remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era GI Bill (Category II)
    2. Those who switched from VEAP before being involuntarily separated after February 2, 1991 (Category III)
    3. Category I & III - Application package includes
      1. Form 22-1990 Application for Educational Benefits which can be done online via VONAPP (Veterans Online Application) by going to www.gibill.va.gov or letter of eligibility from Department of Veterans Affairs (which is received after form 22-1990 is submitted)
      2. Copy of DD-214 (Member copy 4 - long version)
  2. Chapter 35 - Survivor's and Dependent's Educational Assistance
    Surviving spouses and children of veterans who died of a service-connected death, disability, or surviving spouses and children of veterans with a permanent service-connected disability
    1. 1. Form 22-5490 Application for Survivor's and Dependent's Educational Assistance (or letter of approval for Dependent's Educational Assistance)
      2. Must be completed each semester including summer session
  3. Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve Program
    For students who are currently serving in the Selected Reserves;
    1. 1. Form 22-1990 Application for Educational Benefits which can be done online via VONAPP (Veterans Online Application) by going to www.gibill.va.gov
      2. Copy of DD-214 (Member copy 4 - long version)
      3. Form 2384 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) This form is issued through the Reserve Unit.
  4. Chapter 1607 - REAP
    For students who are currently serving in the Selected Reserves and were activated;
    1. 1. Form 22-1990 Application for Educational Benefits which can be done online via VONAPP (Veterans Online Application) by going to www.gibill.va.gov
      2. Copy of DD-214 (Member copy 4 - long version).
  5. New Jersey National Guard Tuition Waiver
    Students who enlist in the NJ National Guard are entitled to a tuition only waiver after all Federal and/or State grants and;
    1. 1. Must apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet all guidelines of eligibility for aid.
      2. Form 2384 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) This form is issued through the Reserve Unit.
      3. Commander's Certification for each semester of enrollment.
Correspondence
1. By using your educational benefits, you will generate a continuing stream of school and VA correspondence. All correspondence is important and should be read carefully upon receipt. We urge you to create a file for all VA and/or school correspondence.
2. Verify personal data such as address, date of birth, social security number and name. Pay particular attention to the enrollment dates reported. If any information is incorrect, please notify the veteran’s administrator immediately.
3. Telephone and Internet Enrollment Verification for Montgomery GI Bill www.gibill.va.gov
4. Chapters 30 and 1606 and 1607/REAP veterans must verify their monthly enrollment through the Internet by accessing the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) web site, or by using the telephone verification system at 1-877-823-2378. The VA Regional Processing office, will no longer mail verification of enrollment forms (VA Form 22-8979) to those veterans.
Other helpful links:
1. The American Council on Education (ACE) can help Veterans obtain military transcripts to forward to academic institutions. ACE Website
2. The National Association of Veteran Program Administrators has a site with information for veterans http://navpa.org
3. Military.com offers information about a variety of subjects of interest to Veterans including an education page with a scholarship finder. http://www.military.com
4. New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.state.nj.us/military
5. Department of Veterans Affair Form can be located at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
Caldwell College - Instruction for Veterans

Should you have any questions on enrolling at Caldwell, please feel free to contact
Eric Mango, emango@caldwell.edu
VA Administrator, Office of Financial Aid Tel: (973) 618-3228
Veterans Administrator Fax: (973) 618-3650

120 Bloomfield Ave. Caldwell, NJ 07006 - 973-618-3000