WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

Veterans Affairs

Veterans

 

The Office of Veterans Affairs assists veterans and members of the National Guard in certifying educational benefits. Our office is located on the second floor of Old Main on the Midtown campus of Western Connecticut State University. The office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

Any student who wishes to take advantage of the benefits he/she earned through the Armed Services should report to our office. The Connecticut State Board of Education has approved WCSU’s educational programs for the training of veterans. Veterans may take advantage of his/her benefits under Chapters 30, 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation), 32, 33, 35, 1606 and 1607. Additionally, spouses, widows, widowers and children of veterans approved for educational benefits should apply through the Office of Veterans Affairs at WCSU. To explore a complete listing and to apply for benefits, please go to: gibill.va.gov.

 

Tuition Waivers

 

A Tuition Waiver relieves the benefactor from the responsibility for payment of tuition. The Tuition Waiver does not apply to other costs and fees, such as: deposits, student activity fees, insurance fees, laboratory fees. There are two main categories of tuition waivers:

 

A. National Guard Tuition Waiver

 

National Guard members, who have received a Certificate of Eligibility from the Adjutant General, have been admitted to the university as full-time students and have registered for classes, can submit the certificate to the Veterans Affairs Office. This waiver applies only to the fall and spring semesters. Please contact the Unit’s RNCO to apply for this waiver before every semester.

 

B. Connecticut State Veterans Tuition Waiver

 

Veterans who have served over 90 days of Active Duty in support of an operation may receive a tuition waiver. This does not include Initial Entry Training or Active Duty for Training. Public Act 78-175 and Public Act 74-266 authorized the ConnSCU Board of Regents to waive the payment of tuition for veterans or a dependent child* of a person classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action. Qualified summer and part-time students (less than 12 credits) also are entitled to a waiver of 50 percent of tuition cost.

 

*Dependent children: Must be a dependent child of a person whom the Armed Forces declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in the Armed Forces after January 1, 1960.

 

The following eligibility qualifications must be met for the tuition waiver:

 

1. Must have served in the Armed Forces on active duty continuously for 90 days between January 1, 1964, and July 1, 1975.

WARS:

· World War II: Dec. 7, 1941, to Dec. 31, 1946

· Korean hostilities: June 27, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1955

· Vietnam: Dec. 22, 1961, to July 1, 1975

 

QUALIFYING CONFLICTS:

· Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm: Aug. 2, 1990, to June 30, 1994, and those engaged in combat or in a combat support role in:

o Peace-Keeping Mission in Lebanon: Sept. 29, 1982, to March 30, 1984

o Grenada Invasion: Oct. 25, 1983, to Dec. 15, 1983

o Operation Earnest Will (Escort of Kuwaiti Oil Tankers): Feb. 1, 1987, to July 23, 1987

o Panama Invasion: Dec. 20, 1989, to Jan. 31, 1990 and who have received an Expeditionary medal or letter stating their involvement in such action.

 

Also included are those individuals who have served 90 consecutive days of active service since August 2, 1990.

 

2. Must have been released from active duty under honorable conditions.

 

3. Must be a resident of Connecticut at the time he/she is accepted by the University.

 

4. Must be matriculated.

 

Note: Eligibility to receive Veterans Affairs Education Benefits is not a determining factor in granting a tuition waiver

 

How to Receive Veterans Educational Benefits

 

Step 1: Documents Required for Veterans Educational Benefits

 

Western Connecticut State University Veteran’s Registration Form and a blank Degree Program Sheet (wcsu.edu/veterans)

 

AND the following:

 

A. Chapter 30: DD-214 & Certificate of Eligibility from VA

B. Chapter 31: DD-214 & VA Form 28-1905

C. Chapter 32: DD-214 & Contribution Statement

D. Chapter 33: DD-214 & Certificate of Eligibility from VA

E. Chapter 35: Relative’s DD-214 & Certificate of Eligibility from VA

F. Chapter 1606: Latest DD-214, Certificate of Eligibility from VA, DD-Form 2384 & Notice of Basic Eligibility

G. Chapter 1607: Last DD-214 & Active Duty Orders

 

 

 

Step 2: Certification

 

After registering for courses, drop off all required paperwork with the Office of Veterans Affairs in Old Main, room 206-C. The VA certifying official will then certify your enrollment to the VA. It is the student’s responsibility to request certification before every semester. Certification is not automatic. Students are only certified for classes required for current degree program. All enrollment changes (Add/Drop, withdrawals) must be reported to the certifying official.

 

Step 3: Matriculation Status

 

Report class attendance to VA as required (monthly if necessary). Any change in matriculation status (full time to part time; leave of absence; withdrawal from the University) must be reported to the certifying official.

 

Step 4: Change of Program of Study/Major

 

In the case of a change in program study/major, the student must meet with his or her academic advisor to develop a program evaluation. Changes to a student’s program of study/major will delay certification and payment. Coursework for the new major will not be certified until the new program evaluation is completed and on file with the certifying official’s office. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with an academic advisor as early as possible to avoid delay in payment. Form 22-1995 must be completed online, and approval sent to the certifying official; it is available at www.va.gov. The VA will make the final approval on all educational changes.

 

Contact Information:

 

Veterans Affairs Office

Old Main 206

181 White Street

Danbury, CT 06810

(203) 837-8840

VetsInfo@wcsu.edu