Apply for Benefits

Students at Mesa Community College have several steps they need to take when applying for and using their Veterans educational benefits. The steps differ for first-time users and continuing students.

Click to determine which chapter you are eligible for:

Department of Veterans Affairs; Chapters of Educational Assistance

Chapter	Title	Description
Chapter 30	Montgomery G.I. Bill	Before the introduction of the new Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, this chapter was the primary chapter for active-duty veterans.
Chapter 31	Vocational Rehabilitation	You must have a service connected disability and have not applied for voc rehab previously.
Chapter 33	Dependents	For family members of veterans who do not wish to use their benefits and have passed on the benefits to a dependent.
Chapter 33	Post-9/11 G.I. Bill	Introduced on August 1, 2009, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is for those who served active duty time after 9/11/01. It covered tuition and books expense, as well as a monthly living stipend based on BAH rates for an E-5 with dependents.
Chapter 35	Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program	Sons, Daughters, Spouses and surviving spouses of veterans who have perished or are totally disabled as the result of a service connected disability arising from active service in the Armed Forces or who perished from any cause while such disability was in existence.
Chapter 1606	MGIB, Selected Reserve	Educational assistance for Reserve and National Guard servicemembers.
Chapter 1607	REAP	For Reservists and National Guard servicemembers who have served active duty time, not to include training time.

New Students

For new students are those who have not used VA benefits before at any institution of higher education, here are the steps to follow, to include the appropriate steps to enroll at the school.

1. Apply for Admission to MCC.
   Go here New Student Enrollment Step 1.
2. Take the Academic Tests required for enrolling in classes.
   Click here New Student Enrollment Step 3.
3. Transfer Credits from Other Colleges.
   Go here Records and Registration at MCC.
4. Apply for Financial Aid for the FAFSA form.
   Click here 3 Steps to Financial Aid.
5. Apply for the appropriate chapter of Veterans Benefits via Form 22-1990 online.
   You will only have to fill this out ONE time. At this time, you may be asked to fax your DD-214 to the VA.
   For Survivors/Dependents, you need to apply for benefits via Form 22-5490.
   
6. Every semester you need to complete a Veterans Request for Benefits Form. This informs the VA of your upcoming schedule.
   You can fill it out online here: Pay Request. The fastest way, however, is to come in to our office and fill it out.
   This form MUST be completed every semester in order to receive benefits.
7. For students recieving benefits under Chapters 30, 1606 and 1607, they are required to verify their enrollment every month.
   This can be done by calling 1-877-823-2378 or going to the WAVE system.

You will need this supporting documentation:

• DD-214 (Military Discharge Document) - Copy Member 4 (for Chapters 30 & 1606 only)
• DD-2384 (NOBE - Notice of Basic Eligibility) (for Chapter Ch 1606 only)

Continuing Students

For those students who are continuing their education from another semester, they can simply eliminate Steps 1-5 from the previous list. Every semester, continuing students need to follow the following steps.

1. Enroll in classes.
   Your classes must follow the degree plan you have specified with the VA. Go here: My.Maricopa.Edu Online Student Center.
2. Request Veterans Benefits for the the semester.
   Every semester you need to complete a Veterans Request for Benefits Form. This informs the VA of your upcoming schedule.
   You can fill it out online here: Pay Request. The fastest way, however, is to come in to our office and fill it out.
   This form MUST be completed every semester in order to receive benefits.
3. Request a Tution Deferment if needed. Do this through our office.
4. If you need assistance buying your books, request a Book Deferment through our office.
   
5. Throughout the semester, if tutoring becomes necesssary, this can be funded through the VA.
   Ask our office for more information.
6. For students recieving benefits under Chapters 30, 1606 and 1607, they are required to verify their enrollment every month.
   This can be done by calling 1-877-823-2378 or going to the WAVE system.
   

Special Notice for Transfer students (any chapter)

For students who are changing their major or degree program, or are transferring students from another college or university where they have already used VA educational benefits, they will need to fill out a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, or Form 22-1995, through our office.

Dependents are required to fill out a different form, the Request for Change of Program or Place of Traiing for Survivors' and Dependents Education Assistance, or Form 22-5495.

Special Notice for students using Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31

Please note: Chapter 31 Eligibility is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Office. Please call 602-627-2800 to set up an appointment to determine eligibility.

Special Notice for Transfering Eligibility of Benefits

Please note: For Veterans wishing to transfer their educational benefits to a loved one, they will need to complete a TOE form, or the Transfer of Eligibility Form. This can be done at the Department of Veterans Affairs website here.