Getting Started

Chapter 1606

Selected Reserve And National Guard

Paying For Classes

Chapter 1606 benefits do not pay your tuition or fees directly. You are responsible for paying these costs to the college. If needed, we recommend working with Student Financial Services to set up a payment plan.

How Your Benefit Amount Is Determined

The VA uses a term called “Rate of Pursuit” to determine how much of your benefit you receive. This is based on how many credits you take each semester.

At MWCC:

• Full-time enrollment is 12 credits or more during a fall or spring semester.

• Full-time students receive the full monthly benefit.

• Part-time students receive a reduced benefit based on the number of credits they take.

Taking a combination of full-semester and shorter-term classes can affect your benefit amount. Contact Veteran Services if you have questions before registering.

When You Receive Payments

Chapter 1606 pays a monthly education benefit directly to you. Payments are usually made after you have attended classes. For example:

• September benefits are typically paid in October.

• October benefits are typically paid in November.

The first and last months of a semester are usually partial months, so your payment for those months may be lower.

Important: Attend And Complete Your Classes

The VA may not pay benefits for classes in which you receive a non-punitive grade. This can happen if you:

• Withdraw from a class after it begins

• Register for a class but never attend

These situations may affect your benefits and could result in money being owed back to the VA. Contact Veteran Services before dropping a class so you understand how it may affect your benefits.

Attendance Requirements

Students must attend or participate during the first week of class. If you do not participate, your instructor may report you as a “no-show” or “never attended.” This rule applies to both in-person and online classes. Online classes are not self-paced. You must participate during the first week or you may be reported as never attending. Students are responsible for paying for classes they register for but do not attend.

For complete attendance policies, please see the MWCC Academic Catalog.

Current Monthly Benefit Rates

Monthly benefit amounts depend on your enrollment level and are subject to change based on VA rates. For the most current payment amounts, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website or contact Veteran Services.

Chapter 31

Veteran Readiness And Employment – VR&E

Paying For Classes

Chapter 31 benefits cover your tuition and required fees. The VA does not pay the college right away. Federal rules require MWCC to wait until after the add/drop period before billing the VA. Because of this, your student account may show a balance until the VA sends payment.

If you are using Chapter 31 benefits:

• You do not need to pay your covered tuition and fees before classes begin.

• You will not be dropped from classes while waiting for VA payment.

• You must work with your Chapter 31 case manager to make sure MWCC receives the required authorizations for tuition, fees, books, and supplies.

How Your Benefit Amount Is Determined

The VA uses a term called “Rate of Pursuit” to determine some of your benefits. This is based on how many credits you take each semester.

At MWCC:

• Full-time enrollment is 12 credits or more during a fall or spring semester.

• Full-time students receive the full benefit amount available to them.

• Part-time students may receive reduced benefits.

Taking a combination of full-semester and shorter-term classes can affect your benefits. Contact Veteran Services if you have questions before registering.

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)

Chapter 31 may provide a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) that is paid directly to you. If you are still eligible for Chapter 33 benefits, your housing allowance may be based on the same rate used for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

Important things to know:

• Housing payments are usually sent the month after you attend classes.

• For example, September payments are usually received in October.

• October payments are usually received in November.

• The first and last months of a semester are often partial months, so payments may be lower.

To receive the in-person housing rate, you must take at least one class that meets on campus.

MHA And Rate Of Pursuit

Your housing allowance may be affected by your Rate of Pursuit. For example, if full-time enrollment is 12 credits and you take 9 credits, your housing allowance may be reduced.

In most cases, students must be enrolled more than half-time to receive a housing allowance. Because every student’s situation is different, check with your Chapter 31 case manager for guidance.

Important: Attend And Complete Your Classes

The VA may not pay benefits for classes in which you receive a non-punitive grade. This can happen if you:

• Withdraw from a class after it begins

• Register for a class but never attend

These situations may affect your benefits and could result in money being owed back to the VA. Contact Veteran Services before dropping a class so you understand how it may affect your benefits.

Attendance Requirements

Students must attend or participate during the first week of class. If you do not participate, your instructor may report you as “never attended.” This rule applies to both in-person and online classes. Online classes are not self-paced. You must participate during the first week or you may be reported as never attending. Students are responsible for paying for classes they register for but do not attend. For complete attendance policies, please see the MWCC Academic Catalog.

Health Insurance Waiver

The VA will not pay for MWCC’s student health insurance if you already have health insurance coverage. If you have your own insurance, be sure to waive the college’s health insurance through iConnect.

Questions?

Contact Veteran Services or your Chapter 31 case manager if you have questions about your benefits, enrollment status, or required paperwork.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For the most current information about VA education benefits, visit the official VA website.

Chapter 33

Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Paying For Classes

Chapter 33 benefits can help pay for tuition and fees based on your eligibility level. The VA does not pay the college right away. Federal rules require MWCC to wait until after the add/drop period before billing the VA. Because of this, your student account may show a balance until the VA sends payment.

If you are using Chapter 33 benefits:

• You do not need to pay your covered tuition and fees before classes begin.

• You will not be dropped from classes while waiting for VA payment.

• You are responsible for paying any costs that are not covered by your VA benefits.

How Your Benefit Amount Is Determined

The VA uses a term called “Rate of Pursuit” to determine some of your benefits. This is based on how many credits you take each semester.

At MWCC:

• Full-time enrollment is 12 credits or more during a fall or spring semester.

• Full-time students receive the full benefit amount available to them.

• Part-time students may receive reduced benefits.

Taking a combination of full-semester and shorter-term classes can affect your benefits. Contact Veteran Services if you have questions before registering.

Eligibility Tiers

Students who served less than 36 months on active duty may qualify for a percentage of the full Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit. Your eligibility level is based on your total time served:

The VA refers to this percentage as your eligibility tier.

Book Stipend

Chapter 33 may provide a book stipend that is paid directly to you.

• Book stipend payments are usually sent near the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

• Summer semesters typically do not include a book stipend.

• The amount you receive depends on your enrollment level and eligibility tier.

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)

Chapter 33 may also provide a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), which is paid directly to you.

Important things to know:

• Housing payments are usually sent the month after you attend classes.

• For example, September payments are usually received in October.

• The first and last months of a semester are often partial months, so payments may be lower.

To receive the in-person housing rate, you must take at least one class that meets on campus.

MHA And Rate Of Pursuit

Your housing allowance is based on your Rate of Pursuit. For example, if full-time enrollment is 12 credits and you take 9 credits, your housing allowance may be reduced. To qualify for a Monthly Housing Allowance, your Rate of Pursuit must be greater than 50%.

Important: Attend And Complete Your Classes

The VA may not pay benefits for classes in which you receive a non-punitive grade. This can happen if you:

• Withdraw from a class after it begins

• Register for a class but never attend

These situations may affect your benefits and could result in money being owed back to the VA. Contact Veteran Services before dropping a class so you understand how it may affect your benefits.

Attendance Requirements

Students must attend or participate during the first week of class. If you do not participate, your instructor may report you as “never attended.” This rule applies to both in-person and online classes. Online classes are not self-paced. You must participate during the first week or you may be reported as never attending. Students are responsible for paying for classes they register for but do not attend. For complete attendance policies, please see the MWCC Academic Catalog.

Health Insurance Waiver

The VA will not pay for MWCC’s student health insurance if you already have health insurance coverage. If you have your own insurance, be sure to waive the college’s health insurance through iConnect.

Questions?

Contact Veteran Services for help understanding your benefits, enrollment status, or payment information.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For the most current information about VA education benefits, visit the official VA website.

Chapter 35

Dependents’ Educational Assistance – DEA

Paying For Classes

Chapter 35 benefits do not pay your tuition or fees directly. You are responsible for paying these costs to the college. If needed, we recommend working with Student Financial Services to set up a payment plan.

How Your Benefit Amount Is Determined

The VA uses a term called “Rate of Pursuit” to determine how much of your benefit you receive. This is based on how many credits you take each semester.

At MWCC:

• Full-time enrollment is 12 credits or more during a fall or spring semester.

• Full-time students receive the full monthly benefit.

• Part-time students receive a reduced benefit based on the number of credits they take.

Taking a combination of full-semester and shorter-term classes can affect your benefit amount. Contact Veteran Services if you have questions before registering.

When You Receive Payments

Chapter 35 pays a monthly education benefit directly to you. Payments are usually made after you have attended classes. For example:

• September benefits are typically paid in October.

• October benefits are typically paid in November.

The first and last months of a semester are usually partial months, so your payment for those months may be lower.

Important: Attend And Complete Your Classes

The VA may not pay benefits for classes in which you receive a non-punitive grade. This can happen if you:

• Withdraw from a class after it begins

• Register for a class but never attend

These situations may affect your benefits and could result in money being owed back to the VA. Contact Veteran Services before dropping a class so you understand how it may affect your benefits.

Attendance Requirements

Students must attend or participate during the first week of class. If you do not participate, your instructor may report you as a “no-show” or “never attended.” This rule applies to both in-person and online classes. Online classes are not self-paced. You must participate during the first week or you may be reported as never attending. Students are responsible for paying for classes they register for but do not attend. For complete attendance policies, please see the MWCC Academic Catalog.

Current Monthly Benefit Rates

Monthly benefit amounts depend on your enrollment level and are subject to change based on VA rates. For the most current payment amounts, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website or contact Veteran Services.